Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-09-10
HARMON ATTACKS
PRESIDENT TAFT
Governor of Ohio Not Pleased with
Attitude of Administration
Toward Tariff Reform.
PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO RLEF
Insists that What Congress Has Given
Country Executive Has Taken
Away, and Hardened His
Heart to Multitude.

BOSTON. Sept s-President Taft's atti-
tude toward tariff reform was attacked
by Governor Judson Harmon Of Ohio to-
night in a speech before the gathering OF
democratic clubs. Governor Harmon said
that the presidents course in vetoing tariff
bills passed by the special session of con-
gress indicated that he had been reached
by wrong advisers" Speaking of the
presidents objections to those bills, he
said:
These and other marks Of paternity sug-
gest the question whether the vetoes may
not have been adopted offspring. like the
defense Of Baliinger.
ne needed no commissioner said the
speaker. nuAtn AA pfesnissd . general re-
duction before his election. nor when ne
called the special session to keep the
promise nor when he signed the bill tnat
broke the promise, nor when he confessed
that the wooden and cotton goods duties
we're too high, nor when he made the
agreement with Canada. His position is
simply that those who by the trickery OF
tariff making have secured a license to
impose exorbitant prices on the American
people shall go on doing it, in spite OF
the action of both houses OF congress un-
Ill five men who are not responsible 10
the people. nor even experts, shall advise
him how much these favor taxes ought
to be reduced and how TO do it scientific
ally.
Not Even Benefit of Doubt.
He admits they are too high on these
absolute and universal necessities OF hte'
but he fears these bills may have cut them
too much All the men, women ana ehh-
dren in the land must continue 70 surfer
an admitted wrong which affects health
and comfort rather than run the risk OF
causing too much shrinkage in profits
made excessive by law. The people must
not even have the benefit Of the doubt
III the present tariff charges had been
fixed merely without proper knowledge ana
skin. it could we'll be said that an 'un-
scientific remedy is good enough for an
unscientific wrong, especially when those
who apply the remedy have the advantage
az dealing with actual results while those
who did the wrong acted only in conjecture.
But the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES law had q
far worse sire than ignorance And it is
a reflection on our plan of government
to say that the fragrant iniquities OF that
law shall go on defying good sense, COM
mon knowledge and honest purpose until
a commission without legal responsibility
or authority shall decide how the duly
chosen, law-making body may deal with
them.
Believes in Veto Power.
IT believe in the veto power. But It Is TO
! be employed only on the clear ana posi-
| tive conviction OF the executive that the
public interest so requires He is allowed
ten days TO consider and decide II he re-
mains In doubt at the end OF that time
action on his part is dispensed with and
the Judgment OF the legislative body be-
comes effective without It. For the presi-
dent to defeat the action OF congress, e.
peciaIly when It follows the plain mandate
! Of the country merely because he Is not
certain about 1t himsef and wants 70 wait
for somsbody else to advise him, is a new
and pertious departure from the wise de-
sign OF the constitution
I'VE have had tariff commissions before,
but none Of them ever accomplished any
thing but delay. And II ever time is money,
1t certainly Is 10 the beneficiaries OF q
favor tariff. The consumers OF the country
were entitled TO at least partial immediate
relief This congress gave and the presi-
dent took away. His tenderness was all for
the few who profit by the present excessive
rates. He hardened his heart to the multi
tude who are compelled TO pay the exorbi-
/
says Playing Politics.
Not content with calling the majority in
/ congress unscienufic. incompetent and ig-
norant" continued Governor Harmon,
though in, his vetoes he did 50 in parliamel
tary phrase the president now, in public
speeehes, charges them with insincerity,
employing the ruder language OF the
stump. He says they were playing politics.
This gives a fellow feeling for Messrs.
Clark and Underwood and their associates.
For when set about the reforms in Ohio.
(which was elected 70 secure. found
myself confronted by 4 general assembly.
republican in both branches, which under
took 70 discredit my administration In
every way II could. 1t smothered, or de-
feated measures proposed to prevent fur
ther grating with the treasury funds. TO
limit taxation and distribute IL fairly, 70
reduce expenses and secure effective con
duct OF the public business. When I per-
Histed IN urging measures for those and