Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-10
ATTACKS ON TAFT
. SPUR CABINET TO
DEFEND POLICIES
Attorney General WiCkersham
Champions Administration
Before Chicago Club
SAYS PLEDGES FULFILLED
Declares Fight on Trust Abuses
Started by Roosevelt Now
Being Won
SAYS PLEDGES FULFILLED
Associated Press1

~ HlCAGO, Aprl 9.-1l Ille HlOSI d6 =
gressiye defense that has yet
" been uttered of the policies and
administration of William H. Taft, At
torney General George w. Wickersham
at the Appomattox celebration of the
Hamilton club tonight fiayed the presi-
dents detractors, smote the Republi-
can insurgents hip and thigh, reviewed
the acts of the first year Of the ad-
ministration and, declaring that every
pledge made in the Republican plat
form of 1903 had been fulfilled to the
extent of the possible limits of exc
cutive action, challenged in ringing
tones:
what other administration can
point TO the accomplishment OF so
much in so short a time?"
1t was the general feeling that the
attorney general was speaking for his
chief as he recalled the campaign
pledges one by one and pointed to the
executives action upon them afear
taking office.
FIGHTING TRUSTS
The administration determination
to enforce the Sherman law against
trusts and monopolies, he reiterated;
the tariff he defended, and declared
that as a revenue producer it had no
equal, while it's maximum and mini
mum provisions provided a powerful
weapon for the protection of Ameri-
can commerce.
Pointing to the treasury's statement
of an estimated surplus of more than
$35. 900, 900 for the fiscal year ending on
June 80, 1911, the attorney general
said il reflected economies which would
reduce the annual expenses of govern
ment $42, 100000 and turn an estimated
annual deficit of hundred million into
a surplus of 35,OO0,0O0, while after-din-
ner orators were eloquently discours-
ing on the subject.
Every Republican must choose, the
attorney general declared, whether or
not he was with the Republican
party and the president.
SHOW TRUE COLORs
HE that hath no stomach for the
fight, let him depart" quoted Mr.
Wickersham in a shout which en-
phasized the sentiment THE time or
running with the hares and the hounds
is over. Treason has ever consisted
in giving aid and comfort to the enc
my. If anyone wishes to join the
Democratic party let him do so; but
let him not claim to be Republican
and work in and out of reason to de-
feat Republican measures and to sub
vert the influence of the Republican
president"
Arranging his argument to follow the
sequence of events, Mr.. Wickersham
began by saying that the previous ad-
ministration had been characterized
by a determined and courageous attack
on abuses of privilege and power, on
fa, hoH PnDFpH
capital whose existence and unchecked
growth threatened the stability of free
institutions.
"a higher standard of business NOR
ality and obedience to law has been
set" declared the speaker, but in the
attainment of these ends the country
had been shaken to its foundations.
CURB MUST BE SANE
1.-THE work of perfecting the machin-
cry by which those standards might be
maintained, by which, to use the Ian
guage of President Taft, the law
breakers might be promptly restrained
and published, but which should op-
crate with sufficient accuracy and dis
patch to interfere with legitimate
business as little as possible was as
the president pointed out in his speech
of acceptance, to be the chief func-
ton of his administration.
1.-THE administration of President
Taft has been in office little more
than a year." the speaker asserted.
''That it has accomplished much in
that time is abundantly attested by
the volume of criticism and by the
increasing vehemance of attacks on
It,"
Mr.. Wickersham reviewed the presi-
dents acts, his recommendations to
congress and his efforts to secure leg
islation promised in the Republican
platform.