Omaha daily bee., 1911-09-22
Would Not Alter Policy if Defeat
Stared Him in Face.
TARIFF BOARD HAS BIG PART
Body Without Force Unless It's
Action is Awaited.
BILLS TOO LOOSELY DRAWN
Proposal of Democrats and Insur-
gents Would Lead to Reaction
which Would Demand
Higher Duties

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Sent. n
President Taft made his first speech Of
his western trip on the tariff and his
vetoes Of the wool, cotton and farmers
free list bills here today. The president
attacked the democrats ana 'insurRent''
republicans in the senate and house who
put those bills through congress- at the
special session; defended his own course
in vetoing them and declared he wa
unalterably opposed 20 revision of tho
tariff except on information secured by
the tariff board.
He defined clearly his own position
with regard to tariff revision and made
IT plain that even II political defeat
stared him in the face he would not alter
his policy. The president said that re-
vision of the tariff with blacksmith
tools" such as he said the coalition Of
democrats and Insurgents used will
lead inevitably TO a revllsion Of feeling
ana recurrence Of the higher rates and
the old system of high tariff"
This" said the president. 'T would
deprecate and so far as I can, with this
powers given me by the constitution.
propose to stop such a movement and to
secure a reduction In accordance with
the principles Of the republican platform
and on information accurate and i'm
partial. II that policy is not approved
by the electorate, then, of course, those
of US who are now in office must give
way to men who will carry out a differ
ent policy, but while we are In office our
position ought clearly to be understood.
We follow this policy not-oHly~ because
we are pledged to it, but because we be-
heve It right; because we believe that q
full discussion and a close study on the
part Of people will convince them ulti-
mately 10 approve and adopt 1t"
Quotes state Platform.
President Taft quoted from the Mat.
forms of the republican party in Ohio.
New York. Wisconsin. Iowa and kansas
TO show that his party in those states
had adopted the ideal Of permanent
body which should make a scientific
Investigation Of the tariff and upon whose
researches and data future revision
should be discussed.
In effect he charged the insurgents
with bad faith in havlug sdvocated the
creation Of the tariff hoard and then
with not wishing to wait for its report.
In speaking of his efforts tor such a
board the president saiG:
Il have had in the pas the hearty sup
port not only OF the egu,a, republicans
but also and even with more emphosls.
those who call themselves progressive
republicans.
The president spoke from a covered
stand at Campau Square an; despite tie
rain the crowd vas stretched a hundied
yards in each direction and waited for
more than an hour % hear him
At the Soldiers home Mr. Taft vas
introduced by Senator William Alden
Smith as the commander -in-chief OF
the army and navy" Mr. Tart said that
despite his peaceful appearance ne
really was under the constitution .he
oumander-in-chiet He then made a
great hit with the old soldiers b. de-
clsrng that the active di-uction Of the
armed forces vas wisely given 70 a more
competent man who knew one end Of a
gun from the other Mr.. Tat eff tais
afternoon for kalamazoo ard Battle
Greek
President Defends Vetoes.
In his address President Taft presented
an explanation q his vetoes OF the wool,
free list and cotton tariff bills passed at
the extra session. He pretaced his ex-
PLANTATION by a statement showing that
the republican party in both wings is
pledged TO the protection theory. and re-
counted the efforts he had made TO get a
statutory tariff board to replace the ona
created b. executive order He tod OF
the appropriation to support the board.
Of ths passage OF the bill creating a tariff
board and It's failure because some OF the
opposition IN the house would not agree
10 the conference report on the measure
and of the continuance Of the executive
tariff board and the certainty that il will
have a report ready Tor the colgress
which convenes IN December. Vl-. this
Introduction he took up the matter OF
the vetoes SAYING.
Il have gone over with care this his