The Washington herald., 1915-12-24
Roo.evelt's Role.

Tonans of polemic America they are neither few
in number lacking in sagaeity who declare that
politically at least Theodore Roosevelt is both q
trimmer and an opportunist The Achilles oi
Oyster Bay sulking in his tents. does not to their
eyes represent very grandiose figure. His at
taeks upon President Wilson have been vigorous
but truculent. Vigor is the Colonels long suit
For the matter of that it is the most character
istic thing about a good many not wholly desir-
able objects, blue bottles for example and eels
If William Jennings Bryan brought upon himself
the contempt of the thinking men of the nation by
his willingness to rock the boat" at time OF In
ternatonal stress for his private advantage Roose-
welt cannot be entirely cleared of the charge of
having done the same thing.
The fact that he has not been holding office
does not excuse him for indulging in rodomon-
tades intended exclusively to embarrass the admin
straton in its foreign policy. No one blames
Roosevelt for being pro-ally. But many have a
sneaking suspicion that he is pro-Roosevelt first,
antiWilson second and pro-ally third and that the
last state of the man may under pressure of cir
cumstances be sacrificed to states-of-mfnd one and
two. Far dignihed, they say. as well as
more effective, is the attitude of former President
Taft who differs from President Wilson on radi-
cal questions of government but lends him an
moral support in maintaining correct and honor
able attitude in our relations with other powers.
If Mr. Wilson has failed in this regard it cannot
be said that the Republican party which Mr.. Taft
has contributed to the failure
Rooscvelt's present political status is as re-
markable as it is nebulous. In the months prior
Al Is Ill fn,te afAe
began to feel that the increased cost of living to
which they being subjected was due to the
high tariff and brought corresponding Dement'S
to themselves however it might benefit the manu-
facturers and capitalists. They believed rightly or
wrongly that the proper remedy was a modifca-
ton of the tariff and were promised it. They were
promised revision downward OF the tariff and
were given a revision upward President TAFT
stood by the tariff and the favor of the people
left him. At first La Toilette the Moses who
was to lead them from the wilderness. but sud-
denly without anybody knowing exactly why or
how the mantle was transferred to Theodore
Roosevelt To say that he sandbagged the un-
La Toilette and took it away from him
is perhaps putting it little strongly, but the fact
remains that without pedging himself to single
definite measure of reform Roosevelt was dis
covered to be heading a movement of which the
demand for reform the only raison detre.
Then came the little affair at Chicago and
thoroughly disgruntled Roosevelt founded the Bull
Moose party.
Meanwhile what had originally been move
ment for the establishment of more liberal policy
in the Republican party became Roosevelt
SADIE Great throngs of California women who
couldn't tell tariff from isoscees triangle sang
hymns about Roosevelt to the tune of maryland!
NV Maryland" But having got party it be-
nooved the Colonel to get platform which he
forthwith did, helping himself literally to any
planks in the Democratic, Republican and other
platforms that looked if they might be popular.
Also, because it seemed necessary to some
sort of definite attitude the tariff question: he
hastily hornswoggled from the Socialist platform
blank which that hardy organization had not
,cen able TO digest to-wit, high tariff and regula
ion of prices National control instead of COM
petition.
'arcc number of Westerners still believe that
{ there is to be an unqualihedly top-notch tariff
here must be some method of regulating prices or
n the alternative they desire an elastic and scicn
1hcally regulated tarin mat Is why 'hey view
With alarm the possible return to power of the old
clement OF the Republican party that stood for sky
high tariff with no sort of regulation in the peoples
interest. But they are disiusioned far as
Roosevelt is concerned. As constructive poll
ician he will never impress the people again.
A section of the country would like to see
Roosevelt act club to compel the Republican
eaders to give them a Presidential candidate with
LIBERAL ideas But Theodore Roosevelt wants to
,e as we'll as to supervise the candidate. That is
Why he negligently mods approval at two or three
impossible candidates and looks coldly at any one
hat looks like possible winner.
Ten Years. Record of Homicide.
Without a rival as city of homicides stands