Mexico Missouri message., 1914-03-05
largely by men who dominated the
Taft convention in 1912.
VIII He Join ProaressIvss'

VIII He Join ProaressIves!
Recently when Champ Clark In Z
speech at Baltimore prophesied that
Borah would be the nominee OF the
Republican party for the presidency
In 1916, the Idaho man replied by re-
pudiating all suggestion OF ambition,
and by saying certain fine things
about the great leader of the Progress.
I've party which made it appear to
some persons that he had high hope
that the Republicans would find some
means of endorsing Theodore Roose-
welt for the presidency. While the
senator may have had nothing In
mind except the amalgamation of the
Republican and the Progressive par
ties, there was that in what he said
which for some reason or other had
made the Progressive leaders believe
II Is within the range of possibilities
that ere long there will be a new
recruit fully enlisted in the ranks Of
the new party. Are they right?
The Progressives In Washington,
while apparently hopeful that Mr..
Borah eventually will join their ranks,
are somewhat disappointed because In
his recent speech he did not come out
squarely and sharply In favor Of kick
Ing the bosses out Of the Republican
party. Mr.. Borah said the ranks must
rule, but the Progressives say he
should have called the bosses by name
and have declared their departure
from the party was an absolute necss-
sity before any thought OF amalgama-
ton could be entertained.
In his speech before the New YORK;
Republican club Mr.. Borah, however,
said a most significant thing. 1t did
not stand out as paragraph by ITSELF
1t was wedged In between material OF
much less political moment. The Pro
gressive leaders in Washington today
are reading and rereading these words
OF Borah:
II the Republican voters are not
progressive in the true sound sense
OF the term, then the way for some OF
us is clear"
Owens Stock Exchange Bill.
1t seems likely now that congress
will decline this winter at least to
pass the bill introduced by Senator
Owen of Oklahoma and known by
this title: "A Bill to Prevent the
Use of the Mails and of the Telegraph
and Telephone In Furtherance of
Fraudulent and Harmful Transac-
tons Of Stock Exchanges"
This measure stands in danger OF
postponement II not defeat because In
Its present form a good many mem
bers of congress, many of them in the
ranks OF Mr.. OWENS own political
party, seem to think that It should be
amended materially before given
chance for passage.
This stock exchange legislative en-.
deavor Of Mr.. Owen, the Democrats
seem to believe, Is not an administra.
tive measure. and II is even said that
Mr.. Owen has not asked Mr.. Wilson
for his approval of this legislative Of
spring OF his skill. Some of the Demo-
Gratis are asking II Mr.. Owen is afraid
OF having his request for approval de-
MED In a way that would probably kill
the bill before II 10 given even a
chance for its life In the house and
senate. The title of the measure n
one which would make 1t appear that
what Mr.. Owen seeks today is worthy.
There 10 no doubt, Of course, that the
senator has worthy motives, but for
some reason or other good many con-
gressmen think the fraudulent and
harmful stock exchange transactions
which would be stopped by the bill
could not be considered an Offset for
what they aver would be the harm
done to things they do not care to see
injured.
Plenty Of Defense offered.
There have been hearings on the
bill before the senate committee on
banking and currency. The press has
carried only small part of the evi- |
dence offered In defense of the stock |
exchanges. Men interested in the big |
exchanges OF the country came here |
and testified at great length in behalf
Of the methods under which the selling |
and the buying of stock were carried |
on. 1t Is true that some members of
congress say what the stock exchange |
men have said does not carry convic-
ton to them that the legislation as ap-
piled to exchanges Is wrong. but there
arc others who say It has carried con-
viction to them that the promises held |
out by the legislation are Of delusive
kind.
That which is OF the sharpest inter
est In this matter to persons who have
no dealings with stock exchanges 10
the charge made by members OF con-
gress irrespective of political parties
that in a great degree It would en-
danger the liberties Of the press Of tho
II the bill should happen to
go through as t. Is at present drawn,
It IL charged that Postmaster General
Burleson would have given him pow
ers OF censorship as great as those
given to military authorities in time
L.