The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-19
BY Associated press.

Detroit Mich, Sept. 1s.-President
Taft at q luncheon here today made
F. the first OF what may be termed the
political speeches Of his six weeks
tour Of the country.
He took up the trusts and clearly
outlined his views concerning them.
The president defended the decisions
of the United States supreme court in
the Standard OIL and tobacco trust
cases, ana there was a distinct cam
paign note IN Mr.. Tafts challenge 10
his ancient political enemy, William j.
Bryan. 10 point out what particular
contract or restraint of trade he would
condeulu which would not be con-
demned within the definition of the
statute hs laid down by Mr.. Chief JUS
tice White.
Mr.. Taft added rather significantly
that persons who do not understand
the decisions and really do not under
stand the law have had great deal TO
say about them. II was not fair to the
court he declared, to say that It had
read the word reasonable into the
antitrust statute.
IT am enirely opposed to an amend
menf of the antitrust law, said the
president. TT is now a valuable gov
ernment asset and instrument. Tested
and. brought into beneficial use by 20
years of litigation and construction by
the highest court, why should We i'm
peril its usefulness by experiments? 2"
Mr.. Taft referred to the fact that
Immediately after the trust decisions
were handed down by the supreme
court Senator La Follette's spread on
the public records a quotation from
one OF the presidents messages as
being at variance with the rule of
reason laid down by the court.
The president asserted that his views
as expressed in the message were in
q s~nnrS xnzffh fha darfafoua
Mr.. Taft reached Detroit early today
after an all-night ride from Erie, Pa.
He went directly to the Detroit Club
for breakfast Here he met fifty or
more newspaper editors and proprie-
torsL He spoke briefly of his former
connection with newspaper work in
Cincinnati.
Hrs NEWSPAPER EXPERIENCES
II was assigned ta1the courts" said
the president .in describing his repor-
torial career, and the first big scoop
that got was an advance story Of a
decision on q very important case
which was exactly the opposite of the
decision which the judges handed
down next day"
Amid laughter, the president added
that that was the nearest he had ever
come to contempt Of court.
Mr.. Taft said he had listened during
the morning to q number OF editors
discussing the difficulty of nearly al
ways having to defend scme one. Some
OF the editors boasted that they were
not troubled that way.
IT have no newspaper said the
president. but / am a sort of brother
in-law to . newspaper. So while 1t
may be embarrassing to a newspaper
at times 20 be related to a statesman,
II sometimes may be embarrassing to
the statesman to be related to news
paper.
men, and ask your prayers both for
my mental and physical well being.
This trip, I may say, was not entered
times when contemplate it hold my
breath. But being in, / am going
through~with It."
Following breakfast the president
was taken by special trolley to Pontiac.
where he was scheduled to make a
brief address before returning to the
state fair grounds to assist in opening
the annual exhibition there. Two of
the smaller oranges of the state boy
cotted the fair this year because of
the invitation extended to the presi-
dent. basing their action on his reci-
procity campaign.
Michigan has been particularly in
terested in reciprocity and there has
been more or less of a conflict between
the cities and the rural districts, the
former favoring the pact and the lat
ter opposing 1t. The president. ad-
herring to HIS announced program of
avoiding reciprocity until after the
Canadian elections next Thursday had
nothing to say on the subject today.
President Taft heard with deepest
sorrow Of the death Of former Senator
Thomas NJ Carter of Montana and
sent q message to Mrs. Carter at
washington.
BIG THRONG HEARS HIM.
Returning from Pontiac, President
TAFT was greeted by a big throng at
the state fair grounds.
Three cheers for the next president
Of the United States" yelled an enthu-
sist as the president rose to speak.
II am afraid you are a poor prophet" !"
said Mr.. Taft.
The president again urged adoption