Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-05
TAFT DEFENDS POLICIES.
Speaks to Labor at ST. Paul and Urges
Thoughtful Cooperation.

ST. Paul, Sept. 5.-President Taft
spoke this afternoon at the state fair.
and referred at length to the laws
passed recently in the interests OF
labor. In defense of his own attitude on
the labor question the president said:
But it is said that am not con-
sistent because L proposed to the last
congress that interstate railroad COM
panies be permitted to make temporary
agreements lasting for thirty days and
fixing uniform rates for traffic between
the same places, and to this extent be
exempted from the operation OF the
antitrust law. 1t was said with great
plausibility. You are opposed to ex-
empting working men from the opera
ton of such law, but you favor the
exemption Of railroad companies The
answer Is that interstate railroads are
restricted much more closely and are
under much more minute observation
by the provisions Of the Interstate
commerce law than they can possibly
be under the antitrust law The in
terstate commerce law thus logically
makes them special class to be treat
ed by themselves. The reason for my
recommendation was that the BUSH
ness Of railroads and the fixing
OF rates can not practically be
carried on without either an
express or tacit agreement for
in rates between competing
lines for short period. Otherwise
there will be constant changing of
rates, ending generally In a war of
rates which inures to the benefit of no
one. In order to avoid any serious
danger from exemption. however. IT
nH0nnSa6 hot ha
agreement permitted should only be
regarded as legal and binding after
approval by the interstate commerce
commission. That commission, OF ITS
own motion or upon complaint OF an
other, can find q rate to be unreason-
able and can change 1t. Everything
which the railroad does is subject to
examination and correction by the
commission. No such rule applies in
the case Of farmers. or workingmen.
or OF individuals generally. They have
a right to charge what they choose for
what they have to sell. whether It be
products of the farm or labor of their
hands. They are under no supervision
in this regard. All that is required of
them is that they shall not violate the
general law applying to all persons:
in the one case. that the farmers shall
not violate the antitrust law that pre-
vents them and all others from going
into conspiracy to raise the price Of
products. and the other which forbids
workingmen as well as all other per-
sons from uniting in a conspiracy or
general boycott to obstruct and re-
strain interstate trade.
: This is all very important to you
and to me and to every American
who wishes the prosperity of American
working men to rest on enduring foun-
dations. Failure to think clearly and
logically on this subject Of special
privileges breeds only discussions
among men who are naturally allies.
Farmers and workingmen, you need
no special privilege. Do not try to
secure 1t. On the other hand. be
watchful to prevent any class in the
from securing 1t. Let us
unite our common energies and work.
ing in harmony with the spirit of our
federal constitution and our democratic
ideals, let US all, irrespective OF party,
maintain better social and eco
nomic conditions Of all classes Of our
fellow men,"