Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-04-11
Wilson For Taft Policies.

AoVA VV1 i oAI 1Ol4SACSs
Recent reports from Washington
are to the effect that the administra
tion is preparing handsome indorse.
ment of several Taft policies along
the line of economical administration.
To deliver it President Wilson will
have to step on a number Of demo-
cratic toes In congress-. Taft policies
which it is said will be conserved In
clude the budgetsystem, the economy
and efficiency commission and the
commerce court.
The Taft administration did not
manage to put the budget system
into effect but 1t did so much pioneer
work that congress cannot gracefully
refuse when the new executive de-
mands that the businesslike arrange
ment be crystalized Ia law. When
President Taft asked for the creation
of budget committee congress res
ponded by passing special law speci-
fically approving the old arrangement
by which every department. submitt-
ed Its own estimates. President Taft
did not disregard the law, but he
authorized the treasury department.
to submit to congress . Sample bud
get" showing what could be done
under the new system. The argu-
ments In favor Of the system are 90
strong that as an economist President
Wilson cannot ignore them. His
chance of securing favorable action Is
much better than II he were present.,
ing the subject for original considera-
tion.
The economy and efficiency COM
mission is another agency for good
government that sincere economist
cannot repudiate without stultifica-
tion. President Taft got this commits
sion TO work. During its short life
1t established reforms that resulted
In an annual saving OF MANY times
Its cost. Not only that, but 1t point
ed out how millions could be saved
annually with the approval Of con-
gress. The politicians in congress,
including democrats and antl-Taft
republicans, undertook to sQuelch
this useful, scientific, money saving
commission. II President Wilson can
induce the democrats to enlist for
its rescue he will be making Q large
contribution toward practical eco
nomy and efficiency In the public
service. The president is understood
to be strongly committed TO the
principle through experience with .
similar commission In New Jersey.
The commerce court; planned BY
President Taft to hear all Interstate
commerce law cases. is scheduled TO
die on June 80 unless q relief expedi-
tion is organized In the mean. The
court was criticised 1t the outset for
no better reason than that President
Taft had promoted 1t. Later, pro-
judice against it arose because OF
several decisions In conflict with the
interstate com merce commission de-
cisions In which the court claimed
power 1t was not intended to have.
Finally Judge Archibald, one OF It's
members, got into trouble. The re-
sulting unpopularity caused congress
to feel warranted In abolishing the
court, and it is to die unless given q
new lease Of life before the close Of
the fiscal year.
Actually it would be serious mis-
cake to abolish the commerce court.
The United States supreme court has
reversed its unwarranted decisions,
and its Jurisdiction is now limited so
that there is no conflict between IL
and the interstate commerce commits
sion. In fact, the commission now
wants the court continued. Judge
Archibald is of the bench, and Presi-
dent Wilson can appoint a progress
sive democrat to the vacancy. The
court would serve as a great conven-
ience III expediting cases that must
otherwise go slowly TO- the supreme
court throughscattered federal courts.
Its powers could be enlarged to in
cluded the hearings of cases under
the antitrust law. and it might serve
as q tribunal for hearing cases that
now 60 direct to the United State
court from our insular possessions.
President Wilson Is understood to be
reluctant to see such an economical
piece Of judicial machinery abandon
ed No doubt he can save x
pand its scope b. putting II d
the extra session Of congress S ( J.
The following teachers have been
elected by the Canton School Board
and; while a change or two may be
expected before Septem Der lst., the
list Is complete.
High School