Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-23
Secretary Straus Says There
Are But Two Legitimate
Political Organizations.
SPEECHES AT THE ALTA CLUB
Yesterdays Function Given by Cover
nor Cutler Is Marked by Oratory--
Semi-Political Table Talk.

1t goes without saying that the ieu-
ture of the luncheon given by Gov.
John c. Cutler at the Alta club yester-
day afternoon to Oscar Straus, secre-
tary of commerce and labor, was the
address of tho guest of honor.
The distinguished visitor created
enthusiasm with tribute TO President
Roosevelt. and his remarks to the
effect that there was an excuse want
ing 10 warrant a third party was a
direct rebuke to the trouble breeders
Of the state of Utah.
There is no place In the United
States today whore there is d legiti-
rate excuse for third party" he
said amid applause. There II much
less excuse to call that third party
American he continued. Il believe
that. although they are Numerically
opposed in political principles, that
the Democratic and Republican par
ties are the only ones entitled to be
called American. | hope that your
local differences Will be overcome so
that third party will no longer seem
necessary. | also hope that the VIC
torious party Will not show a lack OF
breadth and liberality, and that the
contentious strlven for by the third
party will be cured by the broader
policies Of regular political parties in
the future. This will obviate the
necessity for a third party in any
community"
'rhe speaker incidentally compli-
mented Utah for its climate. its re-
sources. its people and history, Capt.
tai and labor also came in for notice
and regretted violence The speaker
paid his compliments TO the Western
Federation of Miners, and affirmed
that this organization was discredit-
ed among the real labor union leaders
He referred to the number of labor
men who were included in the de-
partlnent of commerce and labor nam
ing w. II. Sargent, formerly with the
locomotive firemen's organization, a
son of President samuel Gompers and
Y. V. Powderly, an old labor leader
These men. he declared were broad
minded, intelligent and patriotic cti-
Gems who deplorad violence in any
shape or form.
SOME OTHERS WHO SPOKE.
Among the other speakers was Hon.
John Henry Smith who reviewed the
history of Utah briefly and delivered
one of his Oh lracteristic speeches
breathing patriotism and unity.
Mayor John S. Bransford threw
number Of verbal bouquets at Salt
Lake and affirmed that he preferred
this city to any other he had ever
seen, and predicted great things for it.
Fred j. l&iesel also was in happy
vein and spoke of the nclghborly
feeling existing between Salt Lake
and Ogden. He eXhorted the people
TO unite and quit pickering and then
went on to tell what Utah was doing
In the direction of her share in making
the National Irrigation Congress al
sacramento next month an unquali-
lied success
Nj. ii. Walker made brief speech
from a business mans standpoint and
outlined the resources OF the state in
mining and smelling. telling of the
cultivation of heets. especially, and of
the widespread benefits of that indus
try.
Charles a. Quigley in his speech af-
frmed thar the existing interstate COM
merce law had done great injustice
to the west. In reply Mr. Straus as
serted that the government had a per-
feet right to supervise the railroads of
the country. and that in making the
rate law, II was the intention that all
roads shall treat all manufacturers
alike, ana that this policy will be car
ried out, Maj, II. w. Young also made
some remarks illustrative OF the growth
of the sugar industry and its import
ance to western farmers.
Fisher Harris was the last speaker
and despite his difficulty IN enuncia-
ton owing to his recent Illness he man
aged TO show flashes of his old time
utatory in tribute to the guest OF
honor.
SOUNDING SENTIMENT.
While no reporters were present at
the function, and such accounts of the
speeches as reached the street were
obtained from gentlemen who particl-
pated, 1t can be said that there was
considerable side tElk OF a semi-pollti-
cal nature INDUCED in around the ban
quet table. Neither viii there be any
denial that there was a good deal OF
good ndtuted endeavor on the part or
Secy Straus to sound the sentiment of
those present on the question OF the
next president. or course, he encoun-
tered the heavy RooseVeltian drift and
he then asked several gentlemen who
their choice would be II IL transpired
that Prest. Roosevelt removed himself
from the contest in way that could
not be questioned. Several answers
OF varying tenor We're given and Mr.
Straus asked how Secy. Taft's candi-
dacy was viewed IN the west. He was
Informed that there was only ono
drawback TO Mr.. Taft's popularity here.
and that was his view as to the free
admission of Philippine products into
the United States. This would effect
nearly all the western states, and es-
pecially those engaged IN beet sugar
growing, and unless Secy. Taft modi-
fed his views on this subject. he coulo
expect considerable opposition from the
western sections. Mr., Straus frankly
intimated that this gas the sort OF in
formation he was seeking and the sub
1ect was then droDDpd