The Washington herald., 1907-08-20


Columbus, Ohio, Aug 19.-Speaking TO a
cheering audience Of more than 600
persons. William Howard Taft tonight
delivered what will be regarded as his
platform in his candidacy for President.
It was expected that he would explain
his position on the national questions
which will. without doubt, be made para
mount in the Presidential campaign Of
next year.
Not once did he mention the name OF
Joseph Benson Foraker, but he made en-
phatic response to the attacks made by
the latter on the Hepburn law. tariff re-
vision. and other subjects. But he did
not stop here
He first took up abuses in railway
determinations. and told why the Presi-
dent had recommended that the powers
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
should be enlarged Senator Foraker. in
his Ohio speeches this summer. has de-
clared that the Hepburn law was unwise.
unconstitutional and unnecessary. Mr
Taft replied TO each Of these objections
in detail
He said the railroads had fought the
enactment Of this law as unwiss because
It was a departure from the Iet-al0ne doc
trine and q long step toward government
ownership
Mr. Taft explained that this argument
was overcome by the revelations Of inf
deity to trust obligations in the insurance
investigation in New York. the fraudu-
lent determinations in the traffic Of coal
carrying roads. and the disclosure OF
secret rebates granted the Standard Oil
Company.
Replying to Senator Foraker's assertion
that the rate law is a failure. and that
the EIkins law is aH-suffcient 20 regulate
railways, Mr.. Taft said the chief prose
eutions could not have been begun under
the rate bill. since the acts complained
/ Of were committed before its passage
Mr. Taft said the Hepburn law did not
go far enough, and that the need for
amendments was already declared. He
recommended that the commission be
given the power to classify merchandise
He also recommended the passage of a
law TO prevent overcapitalization of rail-
roads
Urges Amendments.
He urged amendments that would pre-
vent one company purchasing stock in
another and 20 prevent common direc-
tors being chosen for two or more years.
Secretary Taft's position on the tariff
question was so well known from his
former speeches that it caused no com
ment. but the Ohio protectionists were
pleased to learn that he is opposed to any
revision until after the Presidential elec-
ton Of 1905
This viii give the nation an opportunity
to elect Congressman who viii pass on
this momentoUs question.
:. Mr.. Taft showed himself as conserva-
Ttive. entirely in accord with President
! Roosevelt on every great question. The
part of his speech devoted TO Wall street
went, If anything, further than has even
the President up to this time.
Answers Bryan in Detail.
Mr.. Bryan was answered in detail on ali
subjects wherein ne claims TO have given
the basis Tor the ideas which the admins
tration is now chiefly concerned in putting
into execuu
The speaker carefully refrained from
antagoniZing wealth as such. and de-
clared himself opposed TO policy Of con
hscation, and also strongly inveighed
against socialism. He showed himself
opposed to government ownership and
gave three reasons for mis- views, holding
that government ownership was one form
of socialism.
Mr. Taft believes in a Federal grad
uated inheritance tax, but did not declare
for an income tax, although he showed
conditions under which an income tax
would be beneficial TO the nation.
omits Many Subjects.
Subjects such as Cuba. the Philippines.
our foreign policy, and the race ques-
ton were omitted, owing to the amount
of time given to trusts, railroads, end
tariff. Mr.. Taft explained that 1t was
too early to take up the Brownsville mat
ter. and thus gave Mr.. Foraker no op-
portunity to use this in the political
fight in this State.
In closing, the Cabinet officer gave high
praise TO his chief He placed himself
squarely on the platform outlined by
President Roosevelt in his messages to
: Congress and his otheE public utterances.
Al the close of his speech, Mr.. Tafts
hearers were convinced that this. the
opening gun of the next national cam
paign, was Mr.. Roosevelts fully as much
as it was Mr. Taft's.
THE full text of Secretary Taft's
speech viii be found on Pages six