The Detroit times., 1911-09-23
Michigan Men Hold
Up Judgment on Taft

CHICAGO, Sept. 23.-Presidert
Taft will get fair hearing In west
ern Michigan before the people pass
upon his record as magistrate of the
republic at the primaries and cleo
correspondent who was with the
president on bis tour Of Michigan.
II he carries out successfully the
tariff policy which he outlined to the
citizens of the community there is no
doubt that he will have their hearty
support for denomination and re-
election.
II he fails to make good the
promise OF relief from an oppressive
tariff there will be tremendous
slump In Taft stock throughout Michi-
gan.
These are conclusions drawn from
a careful canvass OF the sentiments
OF citizens of all walks of life who
have expressed their conviction fol-
lowing the progress of the presiden-
tial party through eastern and west
ern Michigan.
The attitude of a majority of the
people following the presidents visit
seems TO be one of suspended tudg-
ment. The explanations which he
submitted to the people Of Grand
Rapids, touching his veto of the wool
tariff bill. appear to have impressed
the public favorably. But 1t Is evil
dent that they were far from being
wholly convincing.
General Wish to BE Fair.
The disposition to be fair to the
president Is one of the first discov-
cries of the newspaper interviewer
who goes up and down the streets
and in and out of the banks and fac
tories and stores of Grand Rapids,
sounding voters on their political
views.
The vast majority OF the men who
are inclined to disapprove OF the
presidents record on the tariff admit
the force of his appeal for delay un-
til the tariff board reports. Such
men are willing to suspend judgment
while the president seeks to obtain
from the next session of congress the
reductions In the wool, cotton, steel.
and other schedules demanded by the
people.
Taft thinks he can get the tariff
lowered at the next session, and If
he can he will gain In a lot OF popu-
larity," said travelling salesman for
a Grand Rapids furniture house.
"Give him fair chance to do 1t, IL
what I say. II he should fail l don't
show for reelection"
It 10 difficult to gauge the effect OF
the failure Of the Canadian reciproci-.
ty agreement which the president re-
garded as the principal achievement
OF his administration up to date.
Sentiment regarding reciprocity is
about evenly divided in Michigan. the
preponderance being in favor Of 1t In
the counties along the Canadian Dor
der and against II in the rural dis
tricts to the south and west
In Two Minds About Canada.
Many OF the presidents supporters
in Western Michigan fear that the
reputation OF the treaty by the Can
adams will hurt Taft, but equally en-
thusiastic partisans OF the president
like United States Senator William
Alden Smith, are glad Of the outcome
on all scores. The latter aggregation
thinks that q dangerous issue has
been removed from the path of the
president and regards the outcome
OF the Canadian election as political
" providential so far as the fortunes
OF Mr.. Taft are concerned.
"As a senator of the United States"
said Mr.. Smith. II have never felt
called upon to NEEDLE In the political
affairs OF other countries. The cleo
torate of Canada has spoken In no
uncertain way upon the question OF
commercial reciprocity with the
United States and It's verdict against
this policy will probably never be re-
opened by the present generation"