Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-17
DISGRACE TO AMERICAN
|. CIVILIZATION, SAYS TAFT
Administration Of The Criminal Law
Denounced BY President Be-
fore Chicago Crowd.
CIVIL PROCEDURE VERY BAD, TOO
Poor Man is Not on Equal Footing
With Rich Litigant-oraanization
of Lahoring Men Commended as
Wise Course-Audience Cheers
Speakers.

tflCAGO, Ills, sep. lb.-Spedh-
ing with earnestness to mass meet
ing in Orcestro Hall tonight, Presi-
dent Taft declared that no question
before the American people today is
more important than the improve
ment of the administration of justice
and announced his intention of recon-
mending 10 Congress the appointment
Cf commission to take up the queS-
ton of the laws defects in the Federal
courts. The President said he hoped
that the report would serve as a
guide TO the states in effecting re-
medal legislation.
Recalling that it was in this same
hall during the campaign of year
ago that he faced an audience of more
than 1900 working men and made one
OF the crucial addresses of his candi-
dacy. the President assured his hear
ers that he had not forgotten his cam
paign promises and the platform de-
clarations of his party.
Carry Out Platform Promises.
Mr. Taft devoted the entire first
part OF his speech to the subject of
labor and said he intended to recon-
mend to Congress In his first message
legislation to carry out the platform
promises to injunctions-that no in
functions or restraining order should
be issued without notice except where
irreparabe-injury would result from
delay in which case a speedy hearing
should be granted.
The President declared anew his be-
lief in organized labor and eongratu-
lated the leaders of the movement
that they have set their faces like
flint against the doctrince of social
ISM
Disgrace to American Civilization.
Taking up next the subject of the
courts. the President asserted with
earnest emphasis that the administra-
ton of criminal law TODAY is a dis
race to American civilization. Asham-
ed of the fact as Americans might
well be ne declared that the poor man
has not now an equal opportunity with
the rich litigant and said ii was his
purpose to do what he could to place
the poor man on more equal foot
ing. The President was frequently
interrupted with cheers.
Il know he said. there is an ele-
ment among employers of labor and
investors OF capital which is utterly
opposed to the organization Of labor.
I cannot sympathize with this element
in the slightest degree.
Wise Course for taborers-
II think IL. is a wise course for lab
IL 49, In.
terests. 1t is a wise course for them
TO provide fund by which should &C.
casion arise and strikes CT lockout
follow. those who lose their places
may be supported pending an adjust
ment of the trouble I think the en-
pfcyee who declines 10 deal with or
ganized labor and to recognize IL as a
proper element in the settlement Of
wage controversies is behind the times
There is not the slightestdOubt that il
labor had remained unorganized
wages would be very much lower.
Nothing I have said or shall say.
should be construed into an attitude
Of criticism against OF unfriendliness
TO those workingmen who for any
reason do nos join unions. The right
TO labor for such wages as they chose
&c accept is sacred and any lawless
invasion Of that right cannot be too
deeply condemned<
~Our friends Of the great United
States at times complain Of orr
courts. more. perhaps because OF the
decisions in Injunction cases than for
anything else.
When TIRE subject Of courts f. men
tened i suggests to me large field
for complaint and reform in which al
citizens are interested add have a
right 10 be heard
Disgrace to Civilization.
There is no subject upon which
feel 50 deeply as upon the necessity
for reform in the administration 81
both civil ana criminal law. To sum
Il All up IN che paragraph. the difficult
" Is undue delay Il i not TOO much
10 say that the administration Of
, criminal law in this country Is dis.
grace % OR civilization and that the
! prevalence Of crime and fraud which
here Is greatly IN evcess q thai IN
the European countries j. due largely
20 he failure of The Law and is id.
ministratcrs to bring criminals % Jus.
ficc. am sure that his failure ir