The Washington times., 1911-10-02

uenl Ia1t Is making on the communities
he visits, and in which he speaks, has
detailed a special correspondent 10 fol-
low in the wake of Mr.. Taft's speech
making tour and interview representa-
uves of various classes as to the ef-
feet on the public mind of his presence
and utterances. 1t is the aim that
these dispatches shall be absolutely un-
biased. and they are prepared from and
based upon indiscriminate interviews.
The Times reproduces the dispatch
from Hutchinson, Kan.
HUTCHINSON, Kan, Sept. N.-Ad-
miration for the personality of the
man but dissatisfaction with his poll
cies as Chief Magistrate of the Nation
sum up the attitude of the people of
this section of Kansas toward Presi-
dent Taft
Republican insurgency is rampant in
Kansas, and here, a little to the south
of the exact center OF the State, this
rebellion against the old guard Of party
politics is one of the first Impressions
made upon the mind of the stranger
Nowhere is the old guard of Republican
reactionaries in Congress hated more
sincerely and comprehensively than in
Kansas. Nowhere is the Payne-Aldrich
tariff bill denounced more bitterly than
in Kansas. Nowhere is there greater
interest than in Kansas in the progress
sive policies of conservation and trust
and railroad regulation made famous
by Colonel Roosevelt than in Kansas.
In addition to all this, Canadian
reciprocity met no opposition in tho
whole country that was more vehement
than that of the great mass of Kansas
farmers. In this vicinity the wheat
raisers were greatly alarmed by the
prospect of free trade with Canada and
were CorrespOndingly gratified when
the agreement failed OF approval.
The fact that the price OF wheat rose
5 cents a bushel Immediately follow
ing the rejection of the agreement by
Canada convinced the farmers of this
section they were justified in the fears
| they had entertained.
In so far as President Taft's actions
have clashed with these opinions he ap-
parentlv has suffered in the estimation
Of the Republicans of this city and its
tributary country. The majority of the
Republicans with whom the Tribune
| correspondent talked today cited one
or more objections to Taft policies.
Some criticised the President for sign
ing and defending the Payne Aldricli
signed the wool and cotton bills,
particularly because he had denounced
| the wool schedule as ''indefensible.'
while others complained of Mr.. Tafts
toleration of Aldrich and Cannon.
Defenders Numerous.
On the other hand defenders of the
President are numerous in this city
which in the main believed in the
Canadian commercial treaty. These
constitute an influential element of the
population and are of the opinion that
the next year will show a tremendous
gain in sentiment favorable to Mr..
! Taft.
They express the belief that before
election day rolls around the opposition
| have died away. Then, If Mr.. Taft is
able to obtain from Congress a revision
! of protective duties downward, in ac-
cordance with the facts furnished by
| the tariff board, 1t is believed his re-
election will be assured.
| The President undoubtedly made
| friends during his stay in the city
| The regular Republicans declare en-
| phatically he made not only friends
| but thousands of votes in this section
| Of the State by his appearance before
| the people here.
The progressives denv this quite as
emphaticaIly, saying Mr. Taft chang
| ed no opinions rega riding the big
| questions Of his Administration. Con-
| seryatives and radicals seem to agree
| however, that the President pleased the
people immensely by his democratic de-
meanor and infectious good humor.
Here, as elsewhere. there Is large
| percentage of progressive Republicans
| who say they do not wish to pass fina
| Judgment on the President at this time
! but believe he is entitled to the oppor-
tunity which will be afforded him dur
| ing ihe next session of Congress. or
the whole, therefore, II would seem thai
| he advanced his cause by his presence
| in Hutchinson.
| The Tribune correspondents talked to-
| day with scores of residents of Hutch
! inson and vicinity. Without previous
| knowledge of the identity or opinions
| of the persons approached he button
| hoIed men in the streets, entered banks
and stores. hotels and restaurants. anc
asked questions Of proprtetotrs ana eni'
| ployes indisCriminately.
OF those interviewed there was
| small minority of Democrats. Of tn'
Republicans the majority were .progres
| sives and inclined TO oppose the Tar
policies in varying degrees.
| The most noticeable aspect or th'
| opinions expressed-b the progressive
| was the serious discussion OF La Fol
lette as a Republican candidate for tn
Presidency. Elsewhere In the wake o.