The Adair County News

The Things in Washington.

Seldom have so many controverted questions, demanding the President's attention, arisen in a dull season as during his present absence, and announcement that he has decided to curtail his trip, and make a quick return journey, starting on May 8, has occasioned no surprise here. This situation is in part due to President Roosevelt's attitude in keeping a hand on so many subjects himself. The controversy between Minister Bowen and Assistant Secretary of State Loomis calls for early attention. It has for some time been assumed here that Bowen would be relieved. The administration has been dissatisfied with his course at many stages, and especially his seeming desire to stand constantly in the limelight. It has been believed that such charges as may have been made against Loomis were designated in part to show that many of Bowen's troubles were inherited from Loomis as a minister to Venezuela, or at least were due to his direction while assistant secretary of State.

Castro dislikes Loomis and Bowen equally, and would omit no effort to embroil them further. It is probable that other diplomatic changes in South America too long delayed already, will be part of a reorganization which the President will effect on his return. He has a friendly controversy to settle at Panama, between Shonts and Taft, regarding the rates which the government shall charge on its Panama railroad. Shonts desires to maintain the existing status substantially, and the railroad interests are working strongly on that side. Taft's idea was to run the Panama at remunerative rates, regardless of how it might affect transcontinental business.

The effort to secure peace between Russia and Japan, upon which President Roosevelt and President Loubert are taking a leading part, may soon demand attention. The "psychological moment" in the Eastern war may come at any hour and the President would regret being unable to take advantage of it, for whatever his influence might be worth, in bringing this struggle to a close. This was the subject which Mr. Roosevelt left behind on his vacation trip with the greatest reluctance.

With Senator Aldrich, who is expected back early in May, the President desires a conference over the tariff revision, particularly as affected by the revenue outlook and Germany's threatened retaliatory policy. Much of the President's recommendation for the extra session will depend upon the conclusions of the Senate Finance Committee, which has been instructed to look into this subject during recess.

There are other questions which, while not necessitating the President's return, do make his presence here highly desirable. Secretary Cortelyou is eager to get out of the Chairmanship of the national committee, but can not do so until a disagreeable controversy has been settled in Louisiana. There are differences of opinion between the Attorney-General and Attorneys Harmon and Judson regarding the Santa Fe suits, in which Secretary Morton is inferentially involved.—The Capital.