The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-21

(ContiLued from Page One.l
He took occasion to declare himself
emphaticauy against the opening of
the national treasury for the building
of great highways.
The president began at once to put
matters on a genial basis by express
ing wonder why he had been invited
to the dinner. because, he said. he had
never belonged to the carriage class"
1t was only lately that he had even
been temporarily affiliated with it.
THE accident of office and the gen
crosby of a Republican congress, the
president remarked, with broad
ure Of travel by new method; but
there is no permanency of tenure in
the machine. Therefore, I beg you to
understand that I am here merely in a
temporary capacity as an automo-
bilist."
serious basis shortly and expressed his
appreciation of the value of the auto
mobile in the development OF friendly
relations between sections and even
between nations.
"I have tried to help you," he said,
''by getting the duty lowered into can
ada. Once in a while do something
that ought to make somebody graft
fled
Raising objections to the policy ad-
vocated of the federal government en-
tering extensively into road making.
Mr.. Taft said there was no doubt that
the government has the power, but, he
added:
II venture to question the wisdom
of opening the national treasury for
money to use that way"
The state and the neighborhood, act
ing as a unit. were the proper sources
to look to for both the building and
the maintenance of proper highways,
he said. Once started on a scheme of
national roads as well as of water
WAYS development. there would be no
end to the expense likely to be de-
nanded by 4S states, each wanting its
share, he said.
From the Automobile club banquet
President Taft motored to the Hotel
Astor for an address before the Young
Mems Republican club
Address to Young Republicans.
He appeared just as Senator Borah,
of Idaho, was scheduled to speak, and
listened attentively to a stirring ad-
dress by the western senator. With
language which the president later de-
scribed as having great force, imagery
and poetry. Senator Borah fiayed law
less big business in a way that
brought demonstrations of applause.
The president, in his speech. agreed
with Senator Borah that the country
had defects, and that it was the bust
ness of the people to overcome them.
THE chief of the defects he said,
us the loss, somewhat, of that respect
for law which we inherited from across
the sea. We have struggled with con-
ditions and in prosperity have met
harder tests than the Puritans met. 1t
is true we do not hold the law as sa-
cred as we should. I think we 90 lot
hold anything quite as sacred as we
should"
The president pointed to the ten
dency of the age toward faster living
and pleasure, and from this turned to
the necessity Of Improvement of crirni-
nal procedure. Speaking in optimistic
strain. the president continued:
Effective reform can be made in
two ways; either inside the party or
by the breaking up of the old party
and the founding of a new one. The
question for every man is-has the
party to which he is attached the ma
terial in it to carry out his ideas for
reform? Or is it necessary for him to
join a new party to gain them? I still
have hope for the redemption Of the
Republican party"