The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-19
SPEECHES HAVE
CAMPAIGN RING
Plunges Into Political Phase of
Trip With Defense of Anti
Trust Law, Declaring OPP
position to Amendment
Overthrowing Rule of
Reason"

dent Taft to-day plunged into the po-
litical phase OF his long trip throug
the West and delivered one OF the set
speeches which may have determining
effect upon his future. Sir. Taft chose
the trusts" for his first appeal to
the people. and outlined his position
regarding this everpregnant issue. In
a second speech he answered the
charge that he has used patronage to
further his own ends. and boldly chal-
lenged the men who had made the
charge TO come forward and Join him
in an extension of the civil service TO
practically all OF the appointive offices
under the government. Mr. Tafts free
use OF the words II challenge" gave
campaign ring to his utterances which
seemed to delight his hearers.
The President announced his unqual.
flied opposition to any amendment OF
the Sherman antitrust law designed TO
overthrow the rule OF reason" laid
down by the United states Supreme
Court In the Standard OIL and tobacco
trust caaes. and challenged William
Bryan and all other. critics OF the
court TO cite q restraint OF trade which
they would condemn and which would
not be condemned under Mr.. Justice
Whites definition OF the law.
Statute In Sufficient.
Mr. TAFT declared that the Depart
ment OF Justice at Washington is con-
Quoting an investigation OF ali corpo-
rations suspected OF operating in do
nance OF the antitrust law, and added
that the statute. as interpreted By the
supreme Court, would be found SUM-
cient 10 cause the breaking up of any
illegal combinations. The President en-
tered into the defense of the Supreme
Court with moro than his usual vigor,
and his speech was frequently inter
rupted with applause.
The trust" speech came near the
close OF nine busy hours spent by the
President in and about Detroit
Wherever he went to-day-in Detroit
proper. at Pontiac and at the State
Fair Grounds-Mr. Taft was compelled
10 make his way through dense crowds
HIS welcome into Michigan. which is
regarded as wRvering on the brink or
Insurgency, seemed 10 please the Pres
ident Immensely. and he was in
happy mood when he left ct 1870 p. NJ
Tor Saginaw, where half hours stop
was made. and for Bay City, where he
spent the remainder OF the evening
and dedicated the new armory
Mr.. Taft spends four days in Mich
igan. swinging tomorrow up to Sault
ste Aaric. He was greeted here to-day
by both Senators Smith and Townsend
Governor Osborne. detained at Lansing.
sent warm message of welcome.
A Day of Incidents.
Inc Presidents day was filled with
Incidents He arrived III a downpour
OF rain, but while banqueting at the
Detroit Club the clouds began TO break
away. and by the time he started for
Pontiac BY special trolley train the
sun had come out and the skies were
blue up to the hour of his final leave
taking In the late afternoon. There
were crowds at the station as earlv
as $3.50 o'clock. and neither the rain
nor the police. who drew a deadline
half block away. seemed TO dampen
their enthusiasm. AT Pontiac the
President was greeted by a big thronr
but II was at the opening of the State
Fair later in the forenoon that he faced
MS largest audience. In the midst of
splendid agricultural digpSay the
president spoke OF the value OF scien-
tific farming
Following an introduction by Milton
McRae. president of the Detroit Board
OF Commerce. Mr.. Taft was interrupted
oy an enthusiastic admirer. who called
out:
Three cheers for the next presi.
dent of the United States
Ine President smiled indulgently.
and then with something of twinkIs
in his eye. he replied:
My friend. l fear that you are not
prophet"
The FIVE miles of streets leading into
Detroit from the Fair Grounds wa
lined with people. and the presiden,
was given noisy greeting as he
passed by.
1t was at the Board of Commerce
luncheon that iresidenu Taft took up
the trust question. The function. held
In an immense pavilion. was attended
by approximately 1900 business men
of the city. Mayor Thompson ana
president McRae, of the board, IL; ,brlct
speeches. OF welcome and introduction.
referred to President Taft's efforts for
reciprocity. which is heartily favored
"a petroit but the enthusiasm and
praise did not swerve Mr. Taft from
his determination to say nothing nm
that subject until the Canadian cleo
tons are completed next Thursday
evening.
FoHowing the luncheon came an au-
tomobile parade through the CITY ana
a brief visit to the convention or
United States internal revenue officers.
where the President spoke regarding
patronage. thus adding another politi-
cal touch to his visit.
Challenges His Accusers.
They have charged me with using
patronage to accomplish sometbine,s :,
he said If 1 have, am not conscio,,s
of 1t But csallenge the mon who
make the charge to come forward and
join with me in Legislation which VIII
enable me to put every local officer. he
he postmaster, internal revenue collec-
tor, customs collector or anybody else
filling an office of the United States. in
any Of the States of the Union, under
(Contanued ON Phird DO .a -