The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-20

Columbus. o., Aug. 2o-William II: Taft
Secretary OF War. last night. before q
crowd OF more than 5000 persons. outlined
his political views and in the midst oil
The greatest enthusiasm laid down the
planks OF what will doubtless prove tne
platform upon which he will rest his can,
hidacy for the presidency OF the United
States.
The secretary's speech. as had been ex-
pected. was largely restatement and an
Endorsement OF the administrative policy
OF President Roosevelt. While Nj. tart
did not by any means touch upon all the
matters that have engaged the attention
Of the strenuous Executive and or the
nation during the past few years. the
becretary discussed the railroads at con-
siderable length. had something 10 say
about income and Inheritance taxes
bketched his opinions concerning the
trusts and ended his address with a con-
Bidersion OF the tarin.
Warm enthusiasm greeted the secretary.
Columbus was decorated "a II has not
been since II welcomed Mckinney stter
his election.
Prolonged and vigorous cheering. which
continued for some minutes. heralded the
Eccretary's appearance upon the pist-
form Governor Harris introduced MT;
taft as s'the next President OF the United
states" The Introduction was the signai
Tor more cheering and applause
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
Mr.. Taft made no formal announcement
of his candidacy, but launched at once
into what he was pleased TO term nus
political confession OF faith.
He began with the railroads and the
rate law He had little but commenda-
ton for the new legislation. declaring in
contrayention OF the upholding or the
Elkins bill. that II was FAR more
salutary and effective law than the earier !
one. II had already made itself felt, he
pointed out though owing 10 the short
dme IL had been in operation statistics
could not be offered to prove It's enectlve,
ness. He thought the law especially gooo
n that II restored the punishment by I'M
'Srisonment of offenders. which was
ttricken from the Elkins bill when IL wae
The secretary declared that the rate law
does not go far enough. and said ne M Mwas
In favor OF amendments that would give
she commerce commission more scope IN
fxinQ rates He also spoke strongly TOT
legislation that would prevent overcapl.
taiization and the acquisition OF eacn
nther's stock by railways In the same
territory. - ,s,,,
was by no means socialistic.
NO GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.
As 10 government ownership of the ran
roads. the secretary came out fiat-footeo-
~ against it. saying that the expenoItu,rs
Involved would be enormous, the servIc,
not so cheap and less enectlVe ano ,na '
X would place In the hands OF reckless
executive a power almost incaiculable.
trusts. the secretary said, he REGARDED
- benefit To the nation, provideo tnes
were stringently controlled. lmpfison
srent 81 one or two violators OF the law
he thought, would exercise GOOD lnnu
ence. He had he said after mature con
rideration dismissed the plan OF neensln'
monopolies as impracucaDle. Inc pSs
rennedy for abuses, he said, was leglsla
s,on and the laws already passed Wel'
showing results In the prosecutor %
ronblnations that had dehed tnem, an
In the tendency 10 conform 10 the Jaw
THE secretary declared for some
that modified stand-pat policy In re
II said -reYlslol
might be necessary, but there was n
hurry about Il and the considerhtio
~ the matter could well he put OF
until the Republican party arrived
an agreement toward which IL wa
already working rapidly.
AS TO THE RATE BILL
Mr. Taft said: The opponents Q
me new rate III continue 20 denounc
n but now, instead OF pointing out IL
disastrous effect, they say " Is raj
ure and that in the year since its pas
sage Il has not helped single shil
per. They insist that the only enec'
I've and all-sufficient law 10 regula.
railways is the Elkins act. passed
ge0s- and that this is shown by IN
sact ,hat Ali the prosecutions I'm while
ropvictions have been had agains
railway companies and favored shir
pers In the last two years nave pee
under the Ellxins act and not unot
the rate bill. Let us look into the fac'
IN regard TO this allegation The chis
prosecutions which have been Inst
tuted have been criminal indictment
against the sugar trust and the stan
dard oil company. and certain ran
ways and their agents and onicers 10
taking and giving secret money re
bates. They could not have bee
brought under the rate bill. becaus
the acts prosecuted were committee
before the passage OF tnS rate bill.
The rate bill. the secretary said. hal
greatly increased the scope or the com
nerce commission and has made tn
discovery OF violations OF the law ant
the prosecution OF the offenders easier
Criminal prosecutions will continue tc
be under the Elkins bill, he said. be-
rause that bill contains the part OF the
commerce commission legislation which
provides for the punishment OF offend
srs against the rate law.
Because the rate law has not been
IN operation year Its result cannot