The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-04
ADMINISTRATION ENDS
WHEN TAI I LEAVES OFFICE TO-DAY

tor George p. McCabe, Of the Depart
ment OF Agriculture. thereby allerat-
ing. respectively, the conservation pro-
grcsstves. who were lined up solidly
behind Clifford Pinchot against Balm
ger. and the pure food enthusiasts also
largely progressives. who were equally
solid In their support Of DR. Harvey
w Wiley. He defended the trust policy
pursued by his Attorney General. He
defended the Commerce Court his own
creation. which having placed itself in
hostile attitude toward the Interstate
Commerce Commission, could expect 10
ma rev friends or supporters among
these people. lie was even placed by
his enemies, in the unenviable position
OF defending Lorlmcr, of which offense
OF virtue he certainly was not guilty.
But worst of ALL from the stand
point of politician aspiring for fur
ther recognition at the hands OF the
voters. he defended representative gov
eminent against popular representa-
tive government at a time when popu-
lar government to the ultimate degree
possible under the Constitution was
the demand OF great number OF the
voters OF this country Thereby he
finally alienated the progressive sup
port more irrctrievably than any den
n!t@ hostility towards Roosevelt or any
ieactng progressive could have done
resident Tafts administration con-
talned much of appeal 10 the bust
ness world. that is to the small or
ordinary business man. He constantly
urged more general participation In
politics on the part OF the business
man. He outlined the National Board
of Trade and tho Cha OF Com
merca OF the United States lie did
more than any Of his predecessors. bar
none. TO install business methods into
the government executive depart
ments. Under his administration the
PU7t-Ofice Department was able to
snow for the first time in years sur
plus rather than deficit. lie proved
himself one OF the best friends the
civil service has had, and was called
upon time after time, particularly dur
ing the last two years of his admins
tration. TO defend that institution.
The business feature OF Mr.. Tafts
administration naturally was over
looked in the bitter factional fight, of
which he was the storm centre 1t
was not stressed by his enemies. aud
had not enough of the dramatic appeal
required OF winning political issues,
to be stressed by his friends.
Mr.. Taft fought for conservation
against the rcactionary elements Of both
parties in Congress almost up TO the
present day. During the SIXTY second
Congress he outlined and defended
with the veto power water pow or
conservation plan which resulted In the
saving for the time being at least of
millions upon millions of dollars worth
OF valuable water power concessions.
Mr.. Taft refused to permit private
corporations to usurp dam sites In
various localities, and thus obtain 4
perpetual hold upon tho water power
privileges resulting without rescrvinr
to tho Federal government some meas
urc of remuneration and some means
OF protecting people who would be
dependent upon the utilities operated
by this water power for their water.
light and transportation facilities, from
eNtornonate rates
Mr.. Taft has been called upon to de-
lend not so much his own trust record
as the Sherman antitrust law. He be-
leved the law Is an effective curbep
OF monopoly. He refused to agree that
monopoly has gone beyond the reach
OF the statutes, that tho best thing
existing conditions. draw off from at
tacks upon the billions of water in
stocks OF big corporations and "regu-
late" them so as to prevent further
overcapitalization and monopoly.
Greatest Criticism.
The greatest criticism OF Mr.. Taft's
trust record is the failure to obtain
COW lcliohs thdl VIII stand under tho
criminal clause OF the Sherman law.
Mr.. Taft believes this clause should
be strengthened. but he is not willing
to discard either the whole clause or
The entire statute.
Mr.. Taft's trust record" may be sa ID
TO include the prosecution and con-
vicrion. with Wholesale reimburse
menta. OF tho sugar trust officials re-
sponsible for tho weighing frauds at
the New York custom house; action
looking to the dissolution Of the steel
irust; half victory before the United
States Supreme Court In the prosecu.
ton OF the anthracite coal trust: the
government quit against the trans