Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/170

134 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS ported in January. The Internal Commission had reported in February. The report was sent to Congress by the President with a special message, recommending that suitable provisions be made for improving the inland waterways of the United States at a rate commensurate with the needs of the people as determined by competent authorities. Congress failed to take any action, or to provide for the continued existence of the Commission; so Mr. Roosevelt continued it by executive act and reappointed the former members. The unpatriotic conduct of this sixtieth congress is readily ex plained: The railroads feared competition if the waterways were developed and the vivacities of Mr. Roosevelt s phraseology regarding the lob byists and legislators who were blocking, or doing their best to block, his reform had sped too sharply and accurately to elicit anything but rage from the particular and numerous individuals whom these barbed generalities struck. Besides the term "unde sirable citizens," he had coined another, "the preda tory rich," and he had spoken of a "rich men s con spiracy" against all such measures as the publicity of corporation finances, the control of Trusts, and the various policies fiscal, humane and conserva- tional which he was forcing or attempting to force through Congress. It had not been long since a senator from the West was caught and convicted in land dealings of a dishonest nature. Mr. Roose-