The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-01-16
TAFT ADDRESSES
new YORK CROWD
TALKS AT PEOPLES INSTITUTE
ON CAPITAL AND LABOR.
QulzzED BY AUDIENCE
Secretary Holds His Own with Forel.
BILE Replies to Queries
and Witty Sal
lies.

New York, Jan. 11.-For the first
time since he became a recognized
candidate for the Republican presi-
dental nomination Secretary of War
William H. Taft Friday night faced a
New York audience, set forth in de-
tail his stand on the pertinent ques-
ton Of the relative interests and
rights of labor and capital, and In
turn submitted to rapid fire attack
from the audience, which quizzed him
keenly and in somewhat controver-
sial spirit, according to the practice
of the Peoples Institute, whose guest
he was.
The secretary proved equally eff
fective in attack and defense and his
prompt and forcible replies and &C.
casional witty sallies evoked the same
demonstration of approval as greeted
the salient points Of his address
proper s@
Not less than 1000 persons--its
capacity--had crowded into Cooper
Union when police reserves we're sum.
moned to clear the walks in front Of
the building, where thousand or
more, disappointed in not having
gained entrance, had congregated,
cheered as "Next President"
As the not to be mistaken form of
the secretary of war made its way
through the throng shout of Three
cheers for the next president" was the
signal for noisy ovation that con-
tinued until Mr. Taft bowed his ac-
Acknowledgements from the platform.
Peoples Institute audiences, which
have the unique distinction of being
democratic and fashionable, discrim-
mating and cordial, usually bring to-
gether intellectual leaders in all walks
of life, and this gathering was typ
ical one. At least 4 third of the
auditors were women. When Charles
Sprague Smith, who presided, sug-
gested that three cheers be given for
the speaker they were shouted in pow
erful unison and the demonstration
continued for three or four minutes.
Incidentally the chairman, in intro
ducing him, gave the secretary an OPP.
portunity by which he was quick to
profit to put himself at ease with his
audience. After referring in most
complimentary terms to his record as
a cabinet officer and the good infiu-
ence exerted by his trip abroad, Mr..
Smith said that he was proud to in
troduce 'the secretary of the navy"
6Iunder Opens Way for story.
When the laughter, begun by the
secretary himself and Joined in by
the audience, had died away, Mr.. Taft
said playfully that. he wished 1t under.
stood that he was the head of what
he, at least, considered the more i'm
portant department. He was re-
minded, he added, of story told him
by the president. Mr.. Roosevelt once
attended public meeting in the west
at which the chairman spoke most
fatteringly of the speaker he pre-.
scented. This chairman said: Il take
pleasure in introducing to you a man
known from California to Maine;
from Canada to Mexico, who has
known what 1t is to be on the firing
line-who has smelled gunpowder-
the Hon. Mr." Here the chairman
hesitated, embarrassed for moment,
then, turned to the guest of the
evening and asked What is your
name, please?"
In his prepared address the secre-
tary pointed out the dependence, one
upon the other of capital and labor.
He declared that great aggregations
of wealth properly employed widened
the field of labor and were welcomed,
while wealth improperly used was to
be condemned. He advocated union
ism in so far as sympathy and the re-
sultant cooperation made for the
common good.