The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-08-20
TAFT STATES HIS
VIEWS ON PUBLIC
ISSUES CLEARLY
Secretary of War Was Re-
ceived With Sincere Enthus-
iasm When He Spoke at Co.
Iumbus, O., Monday Night.
MOST IMPORTANT AD-
DRESS OF A SERIES.
No Longer Any Mistaking His
Candidacy Nor His Belief
That Bryan viii Be Demo-
cratic Candidate.

Columbus. O., Aug. 20.-William
Howard Taft, secretary of war, and
the administration candidate for the
republican presidential nomination,
last night detailed his views on press
ing public questions before the Buck
eye Republican club of this city. Sec
retary Taft was received with sincere
enthusiasm. every person present ris-
ing and cheering him vigorously
The secretary's address was the
first and most important of a series
to be made at various points in the
West prior to his sailing for the Phil
ippines and Japan on the 10th of next
month. From a political standpoint
it was noted that Secretary Taft laid
down his opinions in such way that
there was no mistaking his candidacy
and hardly any doubt also, that he
expects to have as his chief opponent
on the democratic ticket William Jen-
nings Bryan. Mr. Taft singled Mr.
Bryan out repeatedly in discussing
er individuals.
Would Add to Rate Law.
Secretary Taft talked at length on
the railroad rate question, and, after
explaining with poipIed ciearness the
new law. he suggested changes and
additions to it. Under this head he
asked that the power of the interstate
,ic.ei ion bn VII cd
as to allow that body to classify mer-
chandise. He also dwelt on the nec-
essity of amending the law to prevent
railroad overcapitalization and the
purchase by one road of stock in a
competing line.
Summary of Speech.
summary of the speech is given
below:
Despite abuses, which are the out
growth of unparalleled prosperity, so
ciety is still sound at the core.
BY securing greater power for the
Interstate Commerce Commission,
President Roosevelt has done much
to remedy railroad abuses.
The railroads now condemn the new
rate law and praise the E1kins bill,
BECAUSE
sentence.
The Elkins railroad bill was passed
with the full consent of the railroads.
The imprisonment of two or three
prominent officers of a railway COM
pany or a trust, engaged in giving or
receiving secret rebates, would have
a greater deterrent effect for the fu
tI1re than millions in fines.
The criticism of Mr. Bryan that the
law was weakened in authorizing jul
dicial intervention to restrain the ord |
ers of the commission has not the
slightest foundation.
IF the prosecution of dishonesty is |
to injure the market for stocks, then
it is a burden that must be borne and
charged to violators of the law.
A railroad company should not be
permitted to issue stocks or bonds
and put them on sale, except after a |
certificate by the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Some action should be taken to pre-
vent the absorption of all railroads by |
one man. The Union Pacific-South-
ern Pacific-Illinois Central deal (Har-
riman promotion) is an example.
roads is not to be considered. Strict
supervision is what is needed. Inc
physical valuation of railroad IS
matter for consideration by the Inter-
stare Commerce Commission in arriv-
ing at what is fair profit upon the /
investment.
The frightfuI loss of life and limb /
among railroad men calls for legisla-
ton requiring the companies TO bear
a part of the burden
The Government should not inter
fere with the combination of capital
so long as fair dealing and equal prices
prevail
The syDpre ssion of secret rebates
and discrimination will go a long way 4
curing evils created by the
Standard Oil and other trusts.
Juries are willing to indict trust.
but are not willing to go SO far in
dealing with the individual members.
License system Of trusts is not the
solution of the problem it appe ars-
The states can best regulate the ac-
of wealth
4 graduated inheritance tax law
should be enacted.
The policies of President Roosevelt
meet with my complete sympathy.
The railroads, not Roosevelt, are re-
sponsible for the laws of which they
Mr.. Roosevelt would make both the
poor and rich obey the law; Mr.. Bryan
would give the lawIess or poor free
iom of action.
nr,Y xx-h fah " scl