The Washington times., 1905-05-11
PRESIDENT WINS
EVEN DEMOCRATS
An Enthusiastic Reception
Given Him in Chicago.
TALKS ON PANAMA CANAL
TALKS ON PANAMA CANAL

Meets Labor Leaders and Rebukes
Reference to Federal Army as
Vehicle OF Oppression.
CHICAGO, May u.-Surrounded by his
political foes. but personal friends,
President Roosevelt last night was the
chief guest at a magnificent banquet
rendered him by the Iroquois Club. the
leading Democratic organization of IL
linois.
On all sides were men who have fought
against him in two national political
campaigns. who oppose many of his
avowed policies, and who have frowned
on some sof his political actions. The
President was eheered TO the ecno as he
entered and left the banquet hall; was
applauded with enthusiasm throughout
his address and at its close. and was
let to understand that in his case polit-
ieal differences were not a personal is
sue.
Keynote of the Meeting.
Words such as these. spoken by James
Hamilton Lewis, the toastnaster. con-
stituted the Keynote of the addresses
by the members of. the club:
.aThe members OF this organization are
Democrats. Their Democracy is as your
Republicanfsm. First, TO their flag ever
loyal; to their country ever devoted,
faithful 10 their feIlow-nan and true to
themselves
Mayor Dunne's Tribute.
And this by Mayor Dunno;
Chicago greets Theodore Roosevelt
because he Is the chosen chief of eighty
millions OF free people; because. lbss his
sterling manhood. patriotism. and en-
ergy, he has fairly and honestly won the
proud position he now oecnpies-the
proudest on earth-and because In his
character he typifies that which the cit
liens of this city honor above all else
honesty of purpose and intensity OF eff
fort
The kindly personal references by the
speakers. the majority of whom are
Democrats, deeply touched the Presi-
dent IN bis n.anneE ana na.,,, woIass aa.sa tse
qualification at the warmth af his reeeR-
lion from men who have fought MIN all
political battles before nov. aaa are
ready 10 fight him again lonlorToW u
they held 1t necessary.
Admiration for the Man.
Throughout the entire evening. how
ever. ran the dominant note OF admira-
ton for the character OF the man him
self
The dinner lasted one and a half
hours At o. o'clock President Gunther
called the guests TO order and delivered
a brief address of welcome.
Brief speeches followed from James
Hamilton Lewis, J. N. Dickinson. Mayor
D,,nne. and Governor Deneen. after
whichastfe Erssiderdt 8aSs calied seesen~ e~ to
fnsan is .ssssnEbl Y ns 915s saSts
feet waving handkerchlefs lard ma l'kliis'
and cheering with Vigor.
When his voice could be heard. Mf.
Lewis happily introduced the Presl-
dent who said In part:
.sThe longer I am in political life the
more firmly / am convinced that the
questions of most Importance before US
sss people are questions which we can
best decide not from the stanapoint OF
Republicanism or Democracy, but from
the standpoint of the interests OF the
average American citizen, Wncthef he
publican or Democrat.
..One OF the works Uncle Sam has on
hand Just at present is digging the
Panama canal and It Is as's gong go1,estIe 10 Pe
and as cheapIy as IS compatib with ef-
ncfency. but with efficiency first -
Congress Couldn't Balk Him.
II wanted Congress to give ne power
10 remodel the commission. II did not
do it. [ remodeled IL anyhow. purely
IN the exercise Of my executive func-
fions, and l made up my mind this
time that I was not going to make the
slightest effort TO represent different
sections of the country on that canali
I was going 70 try 10 have the whole
country represented, and put, the best
man | could get IN any given position
without the slightest regard to where
he came from. 'e~a 90 -
Among the most vital questions that
have come up for solution because. OF
the extraordinary industrial develop
meut OF this country, as of all the moa-
ern world are the questions OF capital
and labor and the questions resulting
from the effect upon the public OF the
organization into great masses OF b0th
capital and labor. / believe thoroughly
in each kind Of organization; but rec
ognize that If either kind OF organiza-
tfon does what is wrong the increase IN
It's power for efficiency that has resulted
from the combination means the in
crease in its power TO do harm
For Federal .eoiltrotI 81
s.Persenafly,sI believe stila Federal Gov
srnment must take an increasing control
over corporations. I trust there will be
no halt IN the steady process OF assllrn-
.ng such national control, and the first
step toward it should be the adoption
of law conferring upon some executive
body the power OF increased supeI vision
and regulation Of the great corporations
engaged primarily IN interstate COM
ras:rce OF the railroads. Aad my views
on thai subject could not have been
better expressed than they were express
ed. think. by Secretary Taft in Wash
fngton. as they weI'= 'exflERs sed by the
Attorney General in his communication
Group.