New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-02

lt.tm Inc tribune bureau
WASHINGTON March William Howard
Taft. President of the Unired States from
March T. 1909 to March :, 1913, has made
a record for legislative and executive
achievement never before elua!ed by any
President in single term-a record all
the more remarkable because. following
the tariff revision enacted in the special
session called Immediately after Mr.. Taft
was inaugurated. there was the custom
AIRY dissatisfaction among the people, re-
sulting in the election Of a Democratic
House at the mid-term election of Mr..
Taft's administration.
In the face of gross Misrepresentation
by an opposing faction Of his party anu
treachery on the part of those from whom
ne had reason TO expect the most loyal
support. Mr. Taft has pursued the even
tenor Of his way. dealing with all with
firmness tempered by ilindliness, handling
all questions in the most judicial manner,
preserving his cheerfulncss even in the
face of political defeat, and devoting his
best ondeavor to the performance OF ms
duties. even after he had been deprived
of a second term not by the votes cast
for the Democratic candidate-who polIed
fewer than had Mr. Bryan-but by the
Vaccinations of those within his own
party. who. refusing 10 accept the verdict
OF the Republican National Convention,
determined to destroy a party they could
not conquer.
Confronted almost from the day of his
election with an exceptional situation, IN
which men had been taught 10 appraise
immediate results and popular approval
far above respect for the Constitution ana
those traditions which have made this
nation great. Mr.. Taft has adhered stead
fastly to the faith of the fathers. squar-
ing his every act with his solemn oath 10
preserve. protect and defend the Con
stitution Of the United States opposing
measures and policies inimical thereto
without regard for the effect on his po-
l:t.cal fortunes. and disappro'lng with
scathing criticism those acts Of Congress
which menaced the Constitution and its
Concomitants.
Much that President Taft has accom-
plshed will never be fully realized. The
merits of his administration VIII be far
better appreciated as time goes on anu
the public is able TO view II in its true
perspective. But even now 1t is evident
that his popularity is on me increase ana
that many who were misled by the cal
umnies of his political enemies have
awakened to that fact and have materi-
ally revised their opinions.
The achievements Of the Taft admins
tration which stand out as pre-eminent
are the legislation accomplished, the en-
forcement of the Sherman antitrust law,
the appointment of more judges than an!
previous President and the high character
and ability Of the men named the conouc'
of the nations foreign affairs in such man.
rer as to preserve and promote the friend
shin and respect which this country COM
mands from all the world the promotion
of the cause of international arbitration
and universal peace; the introduction into
the conduct of the federal departments OF
those methods of economy and efficiency
which had long been ignored, and the
conversion of a deficit of s5S,0oo.coo into
an annual surplus of nearly Sov1,cV anc
the consistent vetoing Of numerous meas
ures which either violated the Consutu'
ton or struck at the nations welfare.
The Railway Rate Law.
one of the most notable achievements
Of the Taft administration was the pas
sage of the railway rate law. measure
essential to make effecu'e the statute
known by the same title of the previous
administration, measure replete WIZ
beneficial features. although one whici
was grossly misrepresented when IL was
under consideration. and which even no"
is not valued as highly as II some oaS
will be The first measure of this nams
had delegated to the Interstate Com
,nerce Commission authority 10 compe
,he railroads to charge reasonable rates
but il had failed 10 confde In the com
mission authority over freight classlnca'
lions and regulations. and the railways
were thus left free to circumvent the
efforts Of the commission TO compel JUS
,ica to the shippers. The Taft railway
rate law added to the powers Of the com
mission the right 10 institute proceedings
against unjust rates without waiting ioi
formal complaint TO be filed; u pass Oh
nronosed increases before they became
effective: added supervision over express
companies and telegraph and telephone
lines and established special Commerce
Court which has shortened the time re-
ouired by the shipper to obtain justice
frou the roads from two years to six
months.
The Payne Tariff Law.
The Payne tariff law, the first impor-
tant enactment of the Taft administra'
,ion placed on the statute books "A great
hodv Of important legislation. aside from