The Washington herald., 1910-01-27

"The President Of the United
States is amply compensated for
anything ne does for the country.
Why he should be the only one in
the United States who is properly
paid, | don't understand"
That was the way President Taft drove
home his arguments for more pay and
better houses for American diplomats
abroad, in an address at the National
Board OF Trade dinner at the New VII
lard last night
The President declared the Orient can
teach US much in the matter OF courtesy,
and said that clothes and outward ap-
pearance have real substance In the game
Of nations
Strikes Popular Chord.
The business men Of many cities had
passed a resolution at their convention
earlier in the day asking for better treat
ment OF our representatives 70 foreign
countries, so the speech OF President Taft
struck a popular chord. and there was
unbOunded enthusiasm.
1T is impossible for any but million
aires 10 occupy the most important diplO-
matte posts" said the President. and he
was interrupted by prolonged applause or
the kind Col Roosevelt used TO get Now
/ I ask my friends whether that IS consis-
tent: whether it IS not the pures. End
of demagogy?"
brilliant AESembIaEe.
/ Seldom has such a brilliant assemblage
/ OF statesmen. diplomats. and men OF az
I fairs been convened about Jhs banquet
board as the gathering last night After
two stormy sessions devoted 70 discus
sions Ut thE business affairs % tRe na-
ton. the members OF the Board OF Trade
welcomed the most distinguished OF Of
dcialdom as their guests.
The President arrived promptly al 10
O'Clock, accompanied by Capt Butt
President La lame. who was toast
master, called for no speeches until the
Chief Executive entered the hall When
he appeared he was accorded a royal
ovation, and every diner kept his feet
until the last bar OF the "Star Spangled
Banner had sounded. when the health
OF the President OF the United States was
drunk. Three cheers for Mr.. Taft were
given with right good Will. and Mr.. La
lame called upon him for the address Of
the evening
Presidents speech.
The President said:
Il am glad 10 be here even though, as
a gentleman who accompanied me said,
this is only the next stop. am able TO
say with considerable certainty that this
is the height OF the season in Washing
ton. I am glad 10 be here 10 meet the
members Of the National Board Of Trade
whom I think meet here every year and
show their appreciation Of the Capital OF
the country by coming here TO express
their opinion on various important sub
jects.
| II noted one upon which I expected 20
say something tonight, and that was
with reference to the purchase Of homes
for ambassadors in foreign countries, and
subject which approximates the ques-
ton Of sufficient salaries for the offices
to be filed Now I can speak with en-
tire freedom from prejudice on this sub
ject, Tor I am able TO say with conf
dence. from actual experience. thar the
President OF the United States IS amply
compensated for anything he does for the
country. Why he should be the only one
in the United States who is properly paid.
I don't understand.
MilIionaiFeS Alone.
We boast ourselves a democratic eoun-
try. We say that there IS no place within
the gift OF the people. or the gift Of any
agent Of the people, 10 which we may NOT
select the most humble inhabitant pro-
vided he be fit to discharge its duty:
yet we do have an arrangement
makes It absolutely impossible f.
body but a millionaire TO occupy
est diplomatic post. Now, 1 ask
friends, whether that is cons
whether it is not the purest kind
gogy. BY demagogy mean the
ment Of an argument which seen
In favor of democracy, and whicl
it actually works out, IS in Il
plutocracy.
y once went to Hot Springs to
an association Of metal men, and H., was
some years ago. / was preaching this doc
trine then. and preaching it a little more
broadly because at that time we had not
made the advance which we now have
Emade. AT that time members Of the Cabi-
net were paid but $500. instead Of $1,000
a year. Members OF the supreme Court
! were paid $4,000 instead Of that munifcent
sum which they now get or S12500- Mem
bers Of Congress labored and sweated for
the government az S5.C00 a year instead
Of now laboring at $500 year
II don't know that this win DO any
good. We have kept talking about it
for forty years. But nevertheless. L
shall continue 10 tax about II, whether
it be because have such a sympathetic
audience or whether il be before Con-
gress or before those who have the power
TO make cur Representatives what they
ought to he IN foreign ports"
Praise for Queen.
When Toastmaster La lame called
upon Hon. Jonkheer J. Loudon, Min
ister from the Netherlands, ne proposed
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