The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-08-20
TAFT BEGINS
HIS CAMPAIGN
introduced as "Next PreSi-
dent at Columbus, 0.
EXPOUNDS HIS POLICIES.
Wants RebaterS and Trust Law
breakers Put In Jail.
EXPOUNDS HIS POLICIES.
FAVORS REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

But Not Until After Presidential Elec-
tion-Favors a Tax on Swollen For
tunes-Advocates More Drastic Rail-
way Rate Law--Declares President Is
Not Responsible For Wall Streets
Troubles and State Attacks on the
Railroads.
Columbus, O., Aug. 20.-William H.
Taft, secretary Of the war department,
made what he was pleased to term his
political confession of faith" at Me
mortal hall. The auditorium, which
has seating capacity of over 5000,
was packed to the doors, and several
thousands were unable to gain admit
lance. The secretary spoke under the
auspices of the Buckeye Republican
club, and the address was notable
from the fact that it is regarded as
the platform upon which he will make
his campaign for the Republican nomi-
nation for president. Mr.. Taft made
no formal announcement of his candi-
dacy, but he was introduced by Gov
ernor Harris as the next president of
the United States" which was the sig
nal for a prolonged outburst of APP
plause.
Special interest was manifested in
Secretary Taft's utterances on the tar
if. He reiterated his previous declara-
lions in favor of revision and declared
that it would be both unwise and I'M
safe for the Republican party to fail
to pledge itself to revise the Dingley
law as soon after the next presidential
election as possible.
Jail For Trust Law Breakers.
Mr.. Taft also declared in favor of
Imprisonment Of individuals response
BILE for violations of the antitrust law
and for the offering or accepting Of re-
bates as more effective than fines
Replying to Senator Foraker's asser-
ton that the Hepburn railroad rate
bill was a failure and that the Elkins
law was all sufficient to regulate rail-
ways, Mr. Taft said the Hepburn law
did not go far enough and that the
need of amendments was already plain
He recommended that the commission
receive power to classify merchandise
so that railroads could not change
rates by changing the classification.
He also recommended the passage of
law to prevent overcapitalizing of
railroads and urged legislation that
would prevent common directors being
chosen for two or more railroads for
the purpose of destroying competition.
The secretary said he was opposed to
government ownership Of railways, be-
cause it would involve an expenditure
of $12,000,000000 and because it would
place in the hands of a reckless 3exeeu-
| tive undue control over business and
politics and expose popular institutions
to danger.
Taking up the evil of swollen for
tunes, he said the best remedy was to
be found in state legislation, but the
federal government could properly lend
its aid. He believed that when the
government revenues needed addition
or reimbursement a federal inheritance
tax would be useful means of rails
! ing funds. A graduated income tax
would also have a tendency to reduce
the motive for the accumulation Of
enormous wealth, he said.
Defends RooseveIt's Policies.
/ His defense of President Roosevelts
policies evoked enthusiastic applause.
He said in part:
am glad to express my. complete thor
ough and sincere sympathy with and adj
miration for the great conserving and
conservative movement which President
Roosevelt has with wonderful success
initiated and carried so far against bit
ter opposition. to remedy the evils Of our
prosperity and preserve to us the institu-
lions we have inherited from our fathers.
Critics of President Roosevelt denouncs
4 his policies as socialistic and likely to I'M
pair the institution of private property.
The institution of private property next
to that OF civil liberty is the most inpor-
tant factor in all that is good in modern
society 1t is indispensable to individual.
lfsm ana is one OF the two chief means bS
which man raised himself to his present