The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-28
BUSINESS CANNOT
SUFFER GREATLY
President Taft Shouts Warn
ing to LaWbreakers--Re-
fers to Steel Trust
SAYS TRADE WILL
ADJUST ITSELF
Would Cut Off His Hand
Rather Than lnjure Trad
ing--lndignant At Talk
of Supreme Court

CHICAGO, Oct 27.-President Taft
completed 12,10 miles of his $4,000
swing around the circle when he
reached this city tonight for threa
days stay.
In speech before 5000 people at
the First Regiment Armory he talk
ed upon railroad rate regulation and
the trusts. reiterating his purpose to
compel the corporations to obey the
antitrust law rs interpreted by the
Supreme Court.
Il speak to you of the trusts at
a time when the matter liz boiling, -
remarked the President. evidently re-
ferring to the suit instituted against
the steel trust He went on to dis
cuss the decision OF the court and TO
assure the audience that the govern
ment Will not let up in Its energies
against the trusts
They must obey the law" shouted
the President. TT may disturb bust
ness for A little. but they must be
made to know that they cannot mo-
nopolize trade to control prices. With
all the power at my command snail
back up any effort to bring about
rigid enforcement Of the law as laid
down.
Hearty Demonstration.
The President was accorded a hear
" demonstration at the armory. AS
he walked in a deafening cheer went
up. He was applauded by throng
at La Sale station az ne emerged
from his car
At the armory meeting, under the
auspices of the Hamilton Club, the
President was formally welcomed to
the city in speech by Mayor Har-
rison.
Governor Dineen, unable to attend
because of a broken leg. was repre-
santed by Lieutenant Governor Ogies-
by, who introduced the President. A
vigorous round OF applause swept the
armory as the President began to
speak. After this speech the Pres
ident went to the Irish Choral So
iety's ball At the Hotel La Sale and
then to the Blackstone Hotel, where
he will make his headquarters dur
ing his stay in Chicago.
II would rather cut of my hand
than disturb business" exclaimed the
President at the ermory, Il want to
encourage business, but not when 1t
In conducted contrary to the law. That
/ will not tolerate, II / can do any,
thing to help It
Talks OF the Trusts.
Now that we have had the decf-
sions by the Supreme Court / ex-
pect that business will square itself
with the now conditions, and that soon
things will be normal again. 1t Is a
mans own conscience that will tell
him II he Ia violating the law.
ION the one hand am charged with
destroying business" the President
went on, land on the other hand / am
accused of having tixed 1t In the Su-
preme Court SO as to protect business
that Is not conducted properly. OF
course that Is not true. It's outrageous
for such charge to be made about
my influencing the Supreme Court
'+Only q few combinations in the
country come under the class OF cor
porations that try to control trade
through unlawful means. No matter
how many there were ! would not be
deferred from enforcing the law to
the letter.
Now hope that is understood" ex-
claimed the President, and the crowd
laughed.
Mr.. Taft took up the tariff vetoes,
going over his old ground of apology
The audience listened In silence. the
tariff defense apparently making no
deep impression.