The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-02
TAFT SCORES NEWSPAPERS
SAYS SENSATIONAL JOURNALS
MAKE HEADLINES nISLEAD.

mann II EADLANLo III lGLEADs
Private interests Influence Legislation
In Washington Less than Has Been
Thought Glowing Tribute to Efici-
ency of Civil service-ReoeptiOn at
the Art School.
Judge William H. Taft, secretary of
war, delivered the fourth and final adj
dress in the Dodge foundation course of
Yale university last night on 1.-THE Re
sponsibilities of Citizenship" Judge
Taft treated the subject last night from
the point Of the national executive.
Preliminary to his address Judge Taft
referred to the prevalence of sensation
al newspaper attacks upon public men
and unwarranted press hostility and
Misrepresentation of policies Of ma
tional administration. He said that in
general such attacks did little harm,
although they are extremely annoying
to honest and honorable public SER
wants, for the reason that exaggeration
is so prevalent with sensational news
papers that the public forms its own
conclusions. He paid high tribute to
the news correspondents resident In
Washington, and said that the amount
Of information given to them by admin
istrative officials, and even the presi-
dent himself would amaze the general
public.
Judge Taft frankly admitted that the
right to criticise an administration is
inherent in free government. He
claimed, however, that in the case of
great public or international difficulty
or In impending war or during prosecu-
ton Of war even bitter partizan OPP
ponents of an administration should
rally patriotically to uphold the hands
of the government until the stand TAX
en- by the administration cannot be de-
Tended before the bar Of public opin-
ion.
Judge Taft also referred to criticism
heaped upon the president of the ma
ton under different administrations for
appointment of certain men to local Of
fees, He asked if it could fairly be ex-
pected that the president should go in
to each locality and make personal
investigation Of the fitness and stand
ing Of each man under consideration for
appointment. Judge Taft said 1t must
necessarily rely upon senators and con-
gressmen for such representation.
Judge Taft said with regard to legis-
lation: ''It is encouraging to men close
to headquarters in Washington to find
how much less influential private inter-
ests are in securing beneficial legisla-
ton for themselves than is generally
held to be the case. Much hard work
for good legislation is done by men
who do not blow their own bugles.
Speaking generally the people in the
end get the kind of legislation they
want although 1t sometimes takes one
or two or three congresses to reach it.
One kind Of legislation that often re-
tards greater and more important bus
mess before congress is pressure to-
shape legislation to the immediate adj
vantage of this one locality or anoth-
err"
Toward the conclusion of his address
Judge Taft paid a glowing tribute to
the efficiency Of the civil service in
Washington He said that the govern
mental machinery could go along for a
considerable time without the active
participation of the executive and cab
met heads, and even congress, were It'll
not that the annual appropriations
must must be secured. Much of the
work of the government is done by ex-
perienced men long in civil service and
therefore much more familiar with con-
ditions and previous decisions than are
the heads of the departments and bu-
reaus. Judge Taft also said that it
is incorrect to charge the executive
with usurpation in the field of the leg
islative. Congress, by Withholding ap-
preparations could at once restrain the
executive If it were necessary.
Judge Taft declared that the execu-
tive departments Of the government are
always petitioners at the door Of con-
gress. The constant investigation COM
mittees appointed by congress to look
into some department or the expendit-
uI6 u ILLS VI IlldL luiloy OuQSG dlt
considered wholesome in it's effect on
the heads of departments. In general,
however, he believed that the progress
of the federal government Is toward
higher efficiency and greater usefulness.
He said that honor and honesty is the
prevailing rule in Washington official
life, and that exceptions are very few.
Many accepted the opportunity of
shaking hands with Judge Taft at the
reception following the lecture which
was held in the Yale art school,
President and Mrs. Hadley and Sec
rotary Taft received alone. The list of
ushers included R. T. Flanders, A. E.
Foster, E. F. Dustin, j. G. Mcclure, ].
G. Magee, L. j. Perrin, ]. A. Stevenson.
]. H. TWlchell, H. R. Wilson, R. D.
Alsop, j. G Bower, ]. G. Darragh and
R. G. Trip.
Catering was by Fleming and Fichtl
furnished music.
TAFT STUDIES NEEDS OF HAIR
Dor.