Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-04
TAFT GIVES The
CREDIT TO PARTY.
IN NEW YORK SPEECH He SAYS
REFORMS ACHIEVED MARK G.
o. p. AZ PROGRESSIVE.
a KEYNOTE FOR CAMPAIGN
President Outlines Great Record Made
by Needed Legislation and Says
Party II Committed TO Greater
Reforms.

New York, Oct. S.--President Taft
in a speech Saturday evening before
the League Of Republican Clubs at the
Hotel Astor sounded q keynote for
progressiveness. In revtewin,; the
record OF the administration he said
it was not the work of any one man
but Of many forces within the party.
The president said the measures
passed by the party were part OF
\ great republican movement, not the
work of the executive alone, or Of con-
gress alone. or of one faction alone,
but the result Of the great dynamic
force OF republicanism, and all must
share in the satisfaction OF accom-
p1ishment.
"A party OF true progress is not
party of radicalism," said the presi.
dent. ''It is not party Of ultra con-
servatisn. A progressive republican
is one who recognizes existing and
]. concrete evils and who is In favor OF
practical and definite steps to eradi-
cate them"
Points to Record as Evidence.
Mr.. Taft presented the record Of
things accomplished in legislation in
eighteen months as evidence OF, the
party's right to public confidence.
Special stress was lid by the
speaker on the widespread demand for
tariff revision and the tariff commits
sion plan is commended.
The need for laws to futher the
conservation of the countrys natural
resources was emphasized and then
the president referred to the specific
evils which he declared had aroused
the people. He summarized these as
corrupt control OF legislation and gov
c'',rnental agencies by corporate and
= 'ividual interests seeking unjust
], ',sleges and the crushing Of com
rs';on by combinations of capital.
lengthy Platform was adopted by
8, leagues committee on resolutions,
Endorsing President Taft and his adj
miristration and his efforts and the eff
] forts Of Col. Roosevelt to purify poll
4 tics. 1t also urged the enactment Of
such laws as would tend toward re-
straining the. exodus from farm to city
life. and laid the increase in the cost
Of food stuffs to this exodus, largely.
It indorsed the Payne tariff act.
Te1t ct Presidents Speech.
Il am here said President Taft,
because believe this league is most
important aid in the upbuilding and
defense OF republican principles. AS
president. prefer to avoid partisan
controversy. but there are occasions.
and it seems to me the present is one,
when it is not improper for me to dis
cuss the issues soon to be considered
and decided by the electorate.
"In the pursuit OF promises made in
its national platform, the republican
partyyin the short period of eighteen
months, presented to the public, as
accomplished facts, the following most
important legislation and executive
action:
"The powers Of the interstate COM
mcrce commission were enlarged. The
commission was empowered to sus-
pend any proposed increase of rates
until the shipper shall have chance
to be heard as to it's reasonableness.
Interstate telegraph and telephone
companies were brought within the
regulation Of the commission.
"A new court Of commerce was pro-
vided, In order that shippers and rail-
ways might secure prompt decisions.
"Railway employees were protected
by new safety appliance law.
THE employers liability act was
perfected.
IAN inquiry into workInomen's COM
pensation for injuries received was
Instituted.
"An inquiry Into the issuance Of
railway stocks and bonds was In
augurated.
"A new customs court was estab-
lished.
"a postal savings bank system was
authorized.
"A corporation tax was adopted,
which is an important source Of rev.
enue and now and effective method
Of assisting the government In super.
vising corporations.
1.-TWO battIeshIps we're added to the
navy.
"a bureau Of mines was established.
Seventy million acres Of the public
domain were legally withdrawn from
entry.
"Twenty million dollars in bonds
were authorized to complete reciama-
ton projects, after board Of army
engineers now At work onoulo COM
plete its investigation Of existing pro-
jects.
Enlarged appropriations were made
to survey public lands.
"a definite commitment was made
against the 'piecemeal' or pork barrel
system Of river and harbor improves
mont. ~
"a peace commission was author
lied.
.An Investigation into business
methods Of conducting the government
was begun.
''The appropriations for the current
year were cut sec, 900, 900 below the APP
preparations Of the year before.
"The tariff was revised without the
usual disturbance Of business. Be-
cause Of it's reduction Of tariff rates,
it's maximum provisions, the free trade
it secures for the Philippines, ito fine
revenue producing qualities, tn.
Payne law is coming generally to be
recognized as most creditable bill.
Revisjon Of the Tariff