The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-17

with people. On the way to the state
fair grounds where the president
! made a brief address to a big crowd
! there were five to ten minute stops
at the Auditorium where welcome
| was extended by the governing board;
at the press club and the Chamber of
Commerce. The ride lasted two
hours the president reaching the fair
| grounds at 10 o'clock. 1t was another
| day of ideal weather and the presi-
dent seemed but little fatigued from
his strenuous day of constant moving
| in Chicago yesterday.
| grounds, Mr. Taft did not return to
! the city, his train having been switch
ed to the fair grounds and leaving
from there direct for Lacrosse.
| Senator Stephenson, Governor Da-
wilson and Mayor Rose took part in
the program of welcome to the presi-
| dent.
For Postal Banks.
| In his fair grounds speech the presi-
dent devoted most of his time to the
subject of postal savings banks and
aroused a quick response of applause
from the crowd when he declared that
he stood firm for a redemption of the
promise of the Republican platform for
the establishment of such a system of
banks. AS a preliminary to his more
serious remarks, the president said he
always felt at a loss in facing an audi
ence of farmers.
while the spirit may be willing. 1 must
admit that I could not milk a cow
The president said he did not atagon-
ize the bankers. but he did not believe
their opposition to postal banks was
v ell founded in some parts of the coun
try. especially New England, where for
every two citizens there is one savings
bank account, Mr.. Taft said the need of
sections where the savings accounts
amounted to only one in 157 citizens the
need of an encouragement to thrift was
acute.
Postal banks raying only per cent
interest would not attract depositors
from public banks. who were paying
to per cent, but they would attract
the accounts of those people VINO were
or not they should spend their money
for the want of knowledge of a safe
place to put it.
The president dwelt at length upon
the fact that the deposits of the alien
population which Is now sent to gov
ernment banks abroad would be held
in this country il there were postal
banks with the government behind
them to resume the tlmld and panicky
de positors of foreign birth and afIilia
tor.
The president pointed out the needs
of the funds which would come to the
government through postal banks %
take care of the per cent United
States bonds issued some years ago
ard forced as a sort of bunco game
on the bankers at par or a little more,
but which will be drug on the mar
ket."
Not Success as Reporter.
The presidents greeting at the new
auditorium included tribute from sew
eraI thousand school children who gave
their school yells and three reSounding
cheers. when the automobiles OF the
presidents party were driven direct
into the big building. At the Pres
club, the president was introduced amid
cheers as a reporter who had attained
to the highest office in the gift of the
people.
Mr.. Taft in reply said his newspa per
experience on the old Cincinnati Com |
mercial had expanded over only a yea
and a half of court reporting; that he
was not much of a success and had no
difficulty in separating himself from
his position without violence"
At the chamber of commerce the |
president spoke briefly in appreciation
of the welcome extended him and |
pleaded for charity toward all public |
officials especially, he said, since he, |
the president. CHANGED to be one.
The president made an impressive |
little talk to the veterans of the civil /
war at the Soldiers home. He said he
hoped they were enjoying all the COM |
forts of life that a great, grateful coun- |
try could place upon them.
Talks to Old Soldiers.
I'VE who were too young to have pal |
ticipated in the war" he said, feel that
We missed great deal in not having
been able to have defended our union
but when we consider the sufferings,
the death of comrades and the great |
grief of families, we are reconciled to
the fact that we did not live in that
generation.
Yesterday, in Chicago, saw $50, 900
school children and more thousands
here today.
Il could not help wondering as I /
looked, what fate awaited those bright
young eyes. and those flushed young
cheeks of the boys and girls I won
dered if that generation would suffer
what you endured in another war.
Il pray God that they may not. But
if they do, I know that the example
which you set, will not be without its
inspiring effect to place Old Glory on
still greater heights
AT the fair grounds, the presidents
party, which already included United |
States Senator Isaac Stephenson, was
joined by Senator Robert NJ. LaFollette.
The greeting of the president to the
senator was most cordial.
The immense grandstand was filled
to its capacity and as the presidents
automobile drew UP in front on the
race track. there was a rcsounding
cheer. Mr.. Taft witnessed first a parade
of the live stock exhibit at the fair he
fore beginning his open air address.