Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-06-22
President Taft Comments on Oil and Tobac-
CO Decisions OF the Supreme Court
MUCH DOUBT HAS BEEN DISPELLED
Decisions Lay Down Line of Distinction Not Difficult
for Honest and Intelligent Men to Follow-Pres-
dent Chief Guest at Yale Alumni Luncheon-Pays
High Tribute to Members of Supreme Bench.

New Haven, Conn, June 21.-In a
speech at the Yale alumni luncheon
here today. President Taft made his
first public comment on the decisions
of the United States supreme court in
the Standard Oil and American To-
bacco company cases.
Honest Men Need Not Fear Sherman
Law.
The president made it clear that in
his opinion these decisions have clear
ed the way so that all honest and In
teiiigent business men can proceed
without fear of the Sherman anti trust
law. under which the government pro-
ceeded so successfully against the oil
and tobacco corporations.
Much Doubt Has Been DispelIed.
The president expressed the belief
that much of the doubt that in the
minds of many business men and law
yers hung about that law has been dis
PEELED at last and that business all
over the country will be greatly bene-
flied thereby.
EuIoey of Supreme Court.
In leading up to his remarks about
the trust decisions, the president took
occasion once again to reiterate his
conviction that the supreme court of
the United States is the balance wheel
of this government. Associate Justice
Lamar SAT- on the platform with the
president. spoke to the Yale men just
before him. and listened with evident
interest to the latters glowing eulOgy
Of the court.
Supreme Court Buiwark of Our Lib
critics.
The president said in part:
The university has today honored
Justice OF the supreme court Of the
United States. 1T is a deserved honor.
The most sacred function that presi-
dent has to perform is the appointment
of men to that body. 1t is the buiwark
OF our liberties. In it's work of con-
strucfion IL recognizes the WONDERFUL
Iy comprehensive character Of our con-
srtutfor in meeting the needs OF sane
progress; but il stands between US and
extreme and unwise radicaHsm. II
stands for the institutions that served
our fathers. and will continue to serve
us II the country is to live.
Has Appointed Five Members.
1T mas fallen to my lot 10 have five
members of that court bear my COM
mission lot. / think. that has fallen
60 but few presidents--aHd there is ro
autv that 7 have discharged that has
zfvrn me more heartfelt concern. that
has worn more upon my conscience,
than the selection of the men-pure
and upright of character. able and
learned in the law, jurists and states
men. with courage to decide and as
scrt the right. Whether that duty has
been well performed or not, the coun-
try must decide. hut ! am willing to
stand upon the record of the court as
now made. short as 1T is. since the five
wore appointed.
Decisions Will Benefit Business.
The country has hung upon the de-
eisions OF that court in respect Of a
statute. the construction of which has
gfven great concern to the business
and other communities Of this country.
believe those decisions have done.
and will continue TO do. great good %
all the business OF the country. and
tfey have laid down line of distinc-
tion which IL Ia not dif1cult for honest
and intelligent business men to fol-
low.
Largely a Question Of Conscience.
They have said that that statute
eppfics TO conspiracies and attempts
20 restrain trade which are undue or
unreasonable. because their intent and
effect In partly or wholly to monopo-
lie to exclude or suppress conpeti-