The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-14
TAFT IS PRAISED BY
 NEW ENGLANDERS
Delegation of Business Men IndOrse Administration
SUPPORT IS PLEDGED
Policy of Reciprocity, of Conservation and of Tariff Revision 1nd0rsed and President Given God
 speed" on Western Trip

Beverly, Mass, Sept 13.-"Godspeed' and the support of business men of New England were the messages of cheer car ried to President Taft today by Herbert N. Davidson, of Worcester, Mass, presi- dent of the New England Association of Commercial executives and 80 members of that association. who motored to Para malta to say goodbye to the chief exe- cutive before he starts west. As you go out from among us on your long and arduous tour" said Mir. Davidson, we want you to go with the Godspeed Of New England ringing in your ears. Other sections may waver but we will not. You are president and as such are entitled 10 our sympathy, our loyalty and our unfalt- ering trust. And you have this in abund- ant measure"
 The pledge of support to the President was as plain and hearty as the Godspeed Mr. Davidson approved his course on re- ciprocity; his policiy on conservation and his determination that the tariff shall only be revised if he is responsible, when a non-partisan body of men shall have re- ported that reductions are warranted.
 Even if the passion of the hour pre- cludes approval of the Presidents action at this time. MT. Davidson declared hls- tory would justify him.
 '"Fhe great masses of the people. all of whom would be vitally affected by any radical change for the worse in their liv- ing conditions said he, "are singularly dependent upon you and although they may be temporarily misled in the end they will realize that you are what we all know you to be, their true and lasting friend
 After Mir. Davidson concluded, the Pres ldent shook hands with the delegation and made them a short speech, saying in part:
 T am very much touched by your com Ing here to bid me Godspeed on this trip, which I am to take. I am going to do the best I can on this trip to talk to the people on the issues of the day-not alone the political issues, for there are a great many issues that it is well for the people to consider that do not attract politicians. They are the issues that do not figure in the headlines and yet contribute much to the welfare of the people and it is well for the people to understand them.
 S"I have not referred to the issues which your chairman and spokesman have touched with so much eloquence, because I do not think it is necessary. Regarding reciprocity, the arbitration treaties and the tariff, you know where l stand and it is not necessary for me to convince those who are of the same opinion that am"
 The President received his guests on the front lawn and MT. Davidson spoke from little hillock. In beginning his address he said the delegates present represented 2S commercial organiza- tions in six states and that he was acting as business spokesman for more than 2,OO0,O0O people
 He said in part:
 We have watched your course in the White House and are satisfied that if you have made mistakes they are the mistakes of an honest man, who had rathersdo something and be wrong than do nothing and be right
 We want, at this time, when you perhaps need more than ever the moral support of every sincere lover of his country, to express to you as citizens of New England, our confidence in your judgment and our faith in your plans in the great undertakings that have so far characterized your administration, viz: Reciprocity with Canada, the con servation of our resources and the wis dom of a thorough investigation by competent, non partisan tariff board of the important schedules of the tariff, that we may, if possible, once for all settle this veXed question:
 The welfare of our great working class as well as of capital is so essen tial to our development as a people that we desire as business men con- fervative action in all matters tending to alter materially the basis upon which our prosperity rests
 We believe the American people were never better housed better fed better clothed and as rule better paid than today and we are anxious that if many changes are contemplated in our Industrial condition, they shall be made after thorough investigation by strictly non- partisan body of men whose findings shall not be colored by the de- sire for political success, but rather by sincere desire to improve upon the splendid civilization we already boast"