New-York tribune., 1908-06-02
PLATFORM DISCUSSED
TAFT AND ELLIS CONFER.
Secretary Wants Strong Roosevelt
Endorsement and Revision Plank.
from The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington June 1-Secretary Taft and
Wade H Ellis, Attorney General of Ohio, held
a long conference this morning, at which the
national platform to be adopted at Chicago was
discussed Representative Burton, who is TO
place Secretary Taft in nomination and Sen
ator Burrows who Is to be temporary chairman
of the convention also dropped in and various
matters pc tanning to the coming convection
were taken up This evening Secretary Taft and
Judge Ellis called at the White House ana had
a talk with the President
Secretary Taft assured his friends this morn
ing tha. if his wishes were consulted he would
be satisfied with nothing short OF Roosevelt
platform-one which would not only 1ndorse
those of the Presidents policies which have al
ready been approved by Congress. but also those
which Mr.. Roosevelt has promulgated for the
guidance of the executive branch of the govern
ment and others which he has recommended
for legislative action.
The tariff plank was also discussed, and the
Secretary indicated that he was prepared to
stand on a pretty strong revision plank almost
as strong for instance scme which have been
fathered by Governor Cummins OF low that
he wanted tariff revision it was prac
ticable to accomplish it. but he also expressed
satisfaction with the tariff plank of the Ohio
platform this year. and it is probable that the
Ohio plarr will form the basis for the national
tariff declaration.
Secretary Taft is as emphatic in his opposi-
ton TO combinations in restraint of trade as is
the President although he appreciates the ne
cessity for some perfection of the Sherman anti
trust law. This does not mean, of course that
he regards the civic federation bill. which treats
with vagueness a multiplicity of subjects. the
ideal form of modification perfection. He
realizes that some alterations should be made,
hut he will not yield iota in his conviction
that the monopolization Of industries by great
combinations should be checked by legislation
: and the proper enforcement of existing laws.
It is not to be expected that the national plat
form will seek to lay down series of legislative
enactments which Congress should carry out.
In fact the Secretary himself is disposed to re-
gard Congress as competent to devise methods
whereby evils pointed out by the Executive may
be cured and, moreover. 1t has never been the
custom for the national platform to go into
great detail; but those who look for the adoption
of an ultra conservative platform at chicago are
likely TO be disappointed.
The national declaration OF the Republican
partv will clearly indicate the purpose of Secre-
tary Taft to carry on the work of the admins
tration fro the point where President Roose-
Welt leaves off.
There is a good deal OF speculation regarding
the chairmanshp of the national committee.
and some of the political prophets have thought
fully. arranged that the place shall be assigned
10 Senator Crane of Massachusetts. Secretary
Taft and his immediate advisers a e saying
nothing about the national craftsmanship at this
time but TO those who fairly close to them
the selection OF Mr.. Crane for the post of gen
oral comma nding the forces does not look like
a particularly shrewd guess
AS result of the conferences held to-day be-
tween Secretary Taft and his political support
ers il has been practically decided that in ad-
dtion to Senator Dolliver, who had been previ-
ously selected. speeches seconding the nomina-
lion of the Secretary shall be made by Senator
Rorah of Idaho. who swung his state into line
for Taft despite the espousai of what the Presf-
dent has termed the second elective term va
gary" by his colleague, Senator Bourne: by
George A. Knight. of California. who created
much enthusiasm by his speech seconding the
nomination of Mr.. Roosevelt four years ago; by
Senator Long. of Kansas. If he is able to post
none an engagement which may interfere. and
bv the Register of the Treasury. William T
Vernon of Kansas, who IS considered one Of the