New-York tribune., 1908-03-31
BRYAN QUESTIONS TAFT
Wants to Knozc Specifically What
He Stands For.

Kansas Cfty Mo March so-Der1ocrats from ali
parts OF Missouri TO the number OF two thousand
attended dollar dinner IN Convention Hall to-
night under the auspices OF the Young Mems Dem
ocratic Club OF Missouri. William J. Bryan and
Judson Harmon were the guests of honor and prin-
cipal speakers. Some fifteen thousand persons
thronged the hail auditors. Among the guests
four former Governors OF Missouri l.
Crittenden. David p Francis. Senator William j
Stone and Alexander " Dockery-2nd also the
present Governor. Joseph " Folk
The citing was essentially Bryan affair. spon-
taneous enthusiasm marking every mention OF MS
candidacy for the Presidency. The reception ac-
corded Mr. Harmon less cordial. and sus-
gesticns promising him high honors from his party
enthusiastically received
Mr.. Bryan's opening statement, that We have
yet to begin the campaign OF 1875. and 70 present
the principles and policies which ought 10 appeal
to progressive Republicans well TO tradition
Democrats was the keynote Of his speech In
giving his approval OF Senator La Toilette as the
Republican candidate for President. Mr.. Bryan
said:
If the President had picked out Senator la Fol,
rallied to senator La Foiette's support f could
have compelled the confidence o. reform Rep'Ioi-
Mr.. Bryan said that without the support oc the
administration Secretary Taft would scarcely have
state in the convention. and with the Presidents
support he is having uphill fight Mr. Bryan
said that Secretary Taft made the best man the
that Secretary Tafs superiority over his colleagues
due not to his positive virtues but 70 the fact
that of the rest OF them had any reform
tendencies whatever Mr. Bryan said the Roosevelt
sentiment was strong in the Mississippi ana
Missouri valleys, and argued that the democratic
ticket entitled 10 the support OF this senti-
ment in the coming campaign
What does Secretary Taft stand fo-2 asked MI
Bryan. What does he denounce as wrong What
does he propose as a remedy? What would ne do
with the trusts? What does he propose on the
tariff question? What reform does he propose
for the benefit OF labor? What relief does he pro
pose from the burdens which imperialism has IN
posed the country -
Mr.. Bryan continued:
What is Secretary Taft going to do on the rail-
expIain that the President was not responsible for
.arv TafT does not favor rate reduction Is he in
favor authorizing the Interstate Commerce COM
roads? Is he willing TO prevent the future issue
Of watered stock Does he urge reCuclIOu IN
ever such reductions can be made without N MUS Us
tice to honest investments? He mas given no as as
what ne would do by what he says or fails TO
say. r. when he, is trying to secure the support
subject what could we expect OF him II ne were
Does Secretary Taft favor the national incorpo-
ration of railroads suggested by the Fresldent.
ould ne IA. Iayo[ @ law i1IS " and 9Asting exclusive
favore national Incorporation would be in favor
perpetua1 gua%rant@ee ran @ ora of 10 -b FDines
than the people Of his own country?
Mr. Harmon. who followed Mr. Bryan mad not
finished his speech, which was a general resume
~ notical conditions in recent years when ne
was forced 10 discontinue by the spectators VINO
drowned his remarks with wild cheers for Bryan
Mr. Bryan expressed his regret over the incident