Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-27
FISHER IN A CLASH
Secretary DenounCes "Dema-
gogicaI' Progressives.
SENATOR BRISTOW REPLIES
Incident at Kansas State Fair
Grounds, Where Taft Spoke.
PROMINENT MEN ON STAGE
Senator Curtis Squarely Pledges
Himself to Support Views Of
the Administration.

HUTCHINSON. Kan, September IT
Near the close Of what had been nom
partisan celebration of the iiftieth ami
yersary of the birth of Kansas as state,
with President TAFT as the principal
speaker a political incident flared up
here yesterday and gave thrill to the
thousands of l>ansans who packed the
grandstand at the state fair grounds.
Walter l. Fisher, Secretary of the In
terror, progressive, and Joseph l.. Bris-
tow senator of the United States from
Kansas, radical insurgent. virtually faced
each other in giadiatorial pose And each
served notice on the other 10 look to him
self and To his own. Senator Curtis OF
kansas followed, Squarely pledging him.
self To administration support. The ap-
pIauSe that followed clearly indicated the
trend of popular sympathy.
Men of national prominence occupied
seats on the stage. Secretary FISHER,
lust back from Alaska, had Joined the
President an hour before. senators BrlS-
tow and Curtis, representing conflicting
lines of political thought, were there.
Gov. StubbS of Kansas. nsurgent, but
not on record as an antiTaft man, was
in evidence and in charge of the cere-
monies.
Gov. Stubs Presides.
1t was Gov. StubbS who touched the
match to the powder train. 1t sizzled
long enough to put every one on ten
sion, but If there was barrel of explo-
sives it did not lead that far. President
Tafts address. read from manuscript,
had been well received, and the audience
was in mood for more. Gov. Stubbs,
TO satisfy the demand. introduced Gov.
Mann of Virginia. who delighted his au-
dience for five minutes or so. Then, with
out warning, Gov. Stubs called on Sec
rotary Fisher. There was time neither
for preparation nor for retreat Without
hesitation Secretary Fisher plunged for
ward.
Il am progressive" he announced.
Those within reach of his voice applaud
ed vigorously. But | believe in true pro-
gressiveness and not in hypocritical or
dema gogical progreSsiveS who declare
for a progressive policy and then oppose
every practical progressive measure put
FORTH When President Taft said he was
trying to keep in the middle of the road
the other day, / believe he meant what
he said. and / believe that you believe he
meant what he said. i am that kind of
progressive. My friends, you should
Judge men not By what they say, but by
what they do"
Bristow introduced.
Perhaps Mr.. Fisher had no one at all
in mind. perhaps he was indulging only
in generalities. But when Gov. Stub BIS,
Immediately following. brought Senator
Bristow TO the fair ground stage, there
was a scattering applause, followed by
silence.
I'VE men of Kansas" Bristow said,
may at times have taken up with
strange notions, but We have always had
the courage 10 contend for what is right
We are always willing to grant that the
fellow
but We want him. also, to grant that We
are lust as honest as he. And / want to
say TO the President and to Secretary
Fisher that in working out the great
problems of the day we OF Kansas viii
play our part and have our say, with a
view that there shall be equal justice to
all and special privilege to none.
Senator Curtis Heard.
His shriiI peroration and the familiar
stock phrase of insurgency that concluded
sands. when Senator Curtis of Kansas
was led forward.
You are just back from Alaska. Mr.
Secretary" he said '.and the people 81
this country will believe what YOU report
OH that subject. /. one United States
senator he added. with market empha
sis on the one" will be there to stanc
with President Taft and with YOU to- hell
you solve the Alaskan question and Il
serve the people OF this country. And the
people of Kansas believe that President
Taft is broad enough and big enough e
he the President of all the people.
A burst Of applause testified 10 the sym
pathy of the people with this, the sena
tors pledge. The tension relaxed as the
official announcer came forward and ad
Nertised the horse race that was TO fol
low.