Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-31
TAFT IN FEAR OF
A DEFEAT IN 1912
President Declares at Chicago
Party Is Facing Great
Crisis.
TO SOLVE TRUST PROBLEM
If There Is Change in Govern
ment, We Must support
Loyalty" He Says.

Chicago. Oct. 31-Before leaving
Chicago for the east yesterday after
noon. President Taft sang what might
be considered his swan song
He conceded that the republican par
ty and its policies may be defeated at
the presidential election in 1912
1t was in his speech at the luncheon
given for him by the Hamilton club
at the Hotel La Salle-the last func-
ton of his three-day visit in Chicago
that the president discussed the ques-
tion of the defeat of the republicans in
the national election.
He admitted that the party has
reached a critical stage of its history.
His remarks brought a chill to the
500 members of the rock-ribbed repub-
lican organization who were entertain
ing him as their guest of honor.
The admission by Taft that republi-
can defeat was even a possibility caus-
ed sensation, and was the universal
topic of conversation in political
circles
1t was shock as well as a surprise
to his audience,
After conceding that the democrats
may win in 1912, Mr.. Taft declared
that in case there is to be "a change"
in the national administration, his fol-
lowers and himself would give loyal
support to the new government
CONSOLES WITH "HOPE."
Realizing that his words had trans
formed his erstwhile cheerful auditors
into a gathering Of 'glooms," the presi-
dent tried to console them by express
ing the hope that the people knew a
good thing and would not make a
change"
His hearers laughed and cheered at
the speakers intimation that he con-
sidered he would be "a good thing as
a candidate for reelection, but they
relapsed into the political blues"
when il dawned on them that he enter
tanned a suspicion that he would be de-
feated by the democracy If he should
again be nominated by his party.
s'sNt,Te at crisis in the history OF
the republican party. some people
think" said President Taft 1T Is a
crisis that has to do with the question
of the continuance of the republican
party in power-in the control of gov
ernment | hope, however, that there
Will be no change. / am hopeful that
the people know a good thing when
they see it.
HOPES STILL TO HOLD REINs.
I'VE have been chastened In recent
elections, but ! think the people in
tended only 10 make us better and
more careful in the future by chasten-
ing us a bit in off years, as they have
sometimes done in the past. hope the
people have no intention OF shift
ing the burdens of government from
the shoulders that have borne them so
well during the period of our greatest
prosperity TO the untried shoulders of
men with new policies and new theor-
les Of action which We do not believe
in and do not believe the people be-
Iieve in.
Still, if the people desire a change
if the change must come-then you
and l must Loyalty support the govern
ment placed in power by the people,
and will hope that the change may re-
suit in the best interests of all.
Then if, after a trial, the people
want TO 90 back to the old party. we
can bear that experience with the con-
ISOLATION that it will be only four years
OF waiting"
TAFT IN PITTSBURGH.
Pittsburgh, oct. 3l.-President Taft
arrived here today from Chicago. He
was escorted through long lines OF stu
dents TO Forbes field, where he wit
messed demonstrations of explosives
and methods of lifesaving mine explo-
sions under the direction OF the bureau
Of mines The president will award
prizes 70 the victorious life-savings
crews This afternoon he will board
the flagship Virginia in the marine pa
rade IN honor OF the centennial Of the
introduction Of navigation on western
rivers
SEES NINE REsCUES.
Ten thousand persons cbeered the
president as the latter watched the
mine explosions. Once the president
pressed a button which exploded
charge. Instantly smoke and flames
burst from a long steel gallery. and
rescue team dashed for the main open
ing. They were clad in arTnor provid-
I'd for such happenings and returned
quickly with dummies representing in
fured men An am bUlance carried the
Unconscious" victims past the presi-
dents box. He applauded the realistic