Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-16
Administration Is Hearing
Rumble from the Nation.
Has Too Much Been Conceded
To Radical Element Of Party?
Tariff, Currency, Foreign Relations
In Unsettled Condition.

Washington, D. c., Sept. 15-tSpe-
ciaD. breakers seem to be roaring of
recent days into Democratic ears. The
faint sounds have been growing more
distinct. The leaders are shrinking
before recent evidences that probably
they have gone too far-too far with
tariff revision, too far with currency,
too wildly, perhaps, with Mexico.
There has been too much yielding,
possibly, to the radicals within the
camp What seems to be popular de-
mand may have been too strongly in
terpreted. Thus the feeling prevails at
Washington for the moment Just
when the tarisXNbill is being rounded
out and made ready for the President,
the old questions are coming to the
front as to whether business can stand
it. Months ago Democrats from
thoughtful constituencies were asking
this question of themselves. The coun-
try did not seem to care, however. It
was bent upon having a tariff revision
and was satisfied chiefly with the idea
that it was getting some kind of re-
vision. There has been little popular
analysis of the bill because popular
analysis of such huge document, COW
ering so many topics of a technical
character is impossible.
The only way a people can under-
stand a tariff bill is to experience it in
operation. And with the popular atti-
tude one of Indifference Democrats
ceased to worry during the hot wealth
ed. What was the use? But now they
are face to face with the reality The
business world is accepting the status
grimly, preparing to do the only thing
il can do, make the very best of the
situation. Some can live under the
new rates; others can not but will try
Employers, of course can shup up
shop. if the business does not pay, but
employees suffer. By the time the new
tariff law is well in operation winter
will be coming on There is some
promise of an upift in business fer a
while. because of the hating through
many months on account of uneer-
tainty But If mills and factories start
mp with rush during October and
November. as may happen. their con-
tinued activity will depend upon the
attitude of foreign manufacturers.
VIII the latter try to rush our mar
kets That will constitute the test of
the tariff law and such a test may not
be evident for six months.
Congress- of course. can not turn
back now if it would The new tariff
law in essential principles is backed
and championed by President Wilson.
He and his friends must stand by it
and stand or fall as the public. after
few months, judges their work.
The same radical spirit that domi-
mated the tariff situation few months
ago, is now seeking to dominate the
currency situation. 1t may not sue
coed so we'll. The Senate is pausins
over the currency situation. Not but
what a currency bill will be passed
there within two months. Likely
enough it will he All the signs point
to it, The President will drive the
Senate with whip and spur. The ooun-
try, understanding currency as little as
tariff, but willing to get at the ban
kers is willing there should be curren-
cy revision and with such a public
sentiment behind him the President is
a tower of strength before the Senate.
Democratic leaders see a currency
bill must be put through, but they are
now hedging as to its provisions. Ways
and means are being sought to amend
and modify so that the measure may
not have as many potentialities for
evil as the measure now before the
House is supposed to have. That is
their task In meeting it. however. the
same perplexities loom up as were in
the House, for the Senate, too, has
many Democratic radicals who are not
easily controlled In the case of the
tariff the White House was more radi-
cal than Congress; in the case of cur
rencv Congress is more radical than
the White House. That proved to be
the situation with the House and the
hard battle of month there was
mainly to keep the corn tassle cur
rency" Democrats from running away
with the party. 1t will be remembered
that President Wilson summoned them
individually to the White House and
pleaded with them to desist but it
amounted to little.
When a Democrat is radical on cur
rency he is one of the most difficult
creatures in the world to restrain
President Wilson certainly found it so
They carried their fight through the
rescued on the bill. serving notice that
tHey WOulu nOl Fbit Iva IL oii iiiii fe.A'
sage. But with all their efforts. ex-
tending over many weeks, the House
Democrats have a bill that is full OF
crudities These must be eliminated
in the Senate, SO the more conserva
tive leaders think. That is the prob
lem, how to do it.
Continued on Page Ffve.)