The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-09-15
COMMONER REPLIES
TO STATEMENT
OF TAFT.
Wants Explanation of His
Labor and Tariff
Record.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Sept. I5.--
William J. Bryan. who II here To-
day on his Eastern tour. accused
Taft Of having eyaded the issues in
the statement issued from Gin
cinuati yesterday in reply to Bryan's
accusation that he had never made
his position known.
Bryan said Tsns statement like
his public addresses, dealt with
generallties. He declared that there
II much for Taft 10 explain IN con
nectlon with his record in the Phil
lppines. the Benguet railway sys-
TENS perpetual franchise, with a
perpetual guarantee Of income.
Bryan said Taft II lodging.
Instead Of defining his position, he
is inQuirlng about my record. as
he does about other public ques-
lions which he has attempted To
discuss"
Tariff Reform.
Bryan then referred 10 the fact
that he advocated tariff reform rs
years ago and said that Taft In
Just now beginning to see tho
necessity for such a reform. He
said that be advocated the direct
election OF senators in 1890 and
that Taft nov personally 10 in
eiined 10 favor Il.
Bryan alleged that Taft made a
mistake OF $4,000. 600 in his es-
innate Of the cost Of imperialism
In his notification speech. TAFT
placed the cost az $4,000, 900 an
nually. whereas. Bryan says. the
increased cost OF the army aud
navy alone amounts 10 over tl20.-
000. 900
On Railroad Question.
The Nebrasksn said that on the
railroad question Taft expressed
himself strongly. saying with
Roosevelt. that government owner
ship will follow II the railroads
succeed In preventing regulation.
Bryan declared that he had said
identically the same thing. He
asserted that he did not desire
government ownership OF railroads
and hoped that the railroads would
permit regulation Thus. he said.
bis and Tafts positions on the
subject are exactly the same ex-
cept that Taft has more faith In
the willingness OF the railroads 10
be regulated.
The Income Tax.
Bryan said that he helped 10
draft the income tax law In 1894
and that Taft is now admitting
that the principle Is sound The
commoner also referred to his adj
vocaey Of independence for the
fiiipinos IN 1906 and pointed out
that TAFT Is now admitting that
the people OF the Philippines al-
umately should be made independ-
ent, though he postpones such ac-
ton for two generations.
The money question. Bryan said,
Is out OF politics. because the IN
expected discovery Of gold had
provided the increase which was
demanded BY the republican party
as well as by the democrats He
referred 20 the action Of Mckinley
In supporting In congress the free
coinage OF silver. When pressed
on this point Bryan said.
Money Question.
The elimination OF the money
question from politics is not due
70 republican legislation, but lis
!. irectly due 10 the increased sup
lily OF gold through discovery"
lie again demanded that Taft
define his position on the tariff.
labor. the trusts and other Issues
and IN conclusion said:
VIII Taft explain his record on
the labor question. and his silence
on the tariff and trust questions
during his official service az Wash
inRton2"
Bryan left az noon today for
Washington Park. n. j., where he
spoke 20 crowd estimated at
10000. His reception there was
very enthusiastic.