The Washington herald., 1908-04-29

New York, April B-Secretary Taft.
speaking before the Civic Forum at
Carnegie Hall tonight, gave his views
on the causes for the general delay in the
enforcement Of law in this country and
suggested reforms which he believed
would have a wholesome effect both in
the civil ana criminal courts.
After his regular speech Secretary Taft,
IA accordance with the practice Of speak
ers before the Civic Forum, contracted to
answer any questions that were sub
mitted TO him provided they were perth
nent to the subject of his address. Only
two or three OF the questions delt with
the laws delay. but the Secretary
graciously answered al.
One man wanted to know if all this
war about injunctions did not indicate
that certain powers now exercised by the
courts should be given to some executive
department instead. Secretary Taft re-
piled that he did not think power now
exercised by the courts should be taken
from them. Another subject of the even
ing was this: Are the Republicans
leaders willing to confess the connection
DetWeen the Republican tariff and the
political high prices Of the necessaries of
hfe?
i am willing TO suggest" " said Sec
retary Taft. that leaders are not willing
TO confess any reflection on the policy
they uphold. I would answer that ques-
tion No.
Constitution Is Satisfactory.
Another quesuoner wanted to know if
the trouble in this country wasn't really
that the Constitution couldn't be inter
preted so as to apply TO present condi-
tons Secretary Taft was decidedly Of
the opinion that it was entirely possible
TO meet every question and bring it TO
It's proper solution within the restrictions
OF the Constitution Of the United states.
Which has brought the greater restraint
Of trade, My policies OF Great trustsg %
was the next question asked.
] can't deny" said the Secretary. that
] know what the writer means by those
quotation marks. Interpreting them TO
mean the policies Of Theodore Roosevelt
I should answer that Theodore Roose-
veits policies have brought about a great
restraint of illegal trade. (Applause) Also
that the great combinations OF capitaI
which conducted their business In VIOLA
tion Of the antitrust law have brought
about a great restraint of legal trade"
Another man wanted TO know if Mr.
TAFT was aware that high protective tariff
breeds great industrial corporations And
If so, how could Mr.. Taft stand pat. and
at the same time be a member of an ad-
ministration that assails Great and pros
porous enterprises? ?'
Fayors TarffT Revision,
1T is the theory of US protecuonists.
said the Secretary. that the protective
tariff encourages great Industrial cor
porarons and great industrial prosperity
in this country. As To the question how
am able 10 stand pat, don't think
come within the definition Of a stand
patter. I favor revision, but I want re-
vision on the protective theory, so that
cur prosperity may continue.
Referring 10 the latter part Of the Ques-
IiOn, Mr.. Taft said it would be discOurag-
ing to be a member of an administration
which assailed prosperous industry.
'I will say" he added. that among
the various things that occasion nervous
strain for me, this is not one"
Mr. Taft Is IN favor Of the enlargement
or the army and navy, so that when we
take part in the councils Of the nations
or undertake TO discuss national morality.
our words may be backed up by sufficient
force 10 make them dignifed
He is in favor OF child labor laws but
he wasn't prepared TO say whether they
were a proper subject Of State or ma
tional legislation. He did rot, he de-
clared in response 10 a question, change
his views on organized labor since Ii $
address at the Cooper Union meeting.