The Washington times., 1912-09-19
WILSON FLAYED
BY ROOSEVELT
FORUM FA|RNESS
Colonel Replies to Democrat
ic Candidates Minneap-
oils Speech.
By THEODORE TILLER.


TRINIDAD, Colo, Sept. 19.-Usine
most emphatic language, including
the suggestion that his Democratic
adversary Should be above mis-
stating facts to bolster up his argu-
ments," Colonel Roosevelt made an
swer here today to the Minneapolis
speech of Gov. Woodrow Wilson,
who alleges the Steel Trust would
be benefited by the enactment into
law of the trust problem plank of
the Progressive party platform.
Leaving Albuquerque, N. NJ. Mr..
Roosevelt last night read extracts
from Governor Wilson's Minneapolis
speech. The colonel's comeback to-
day was in his most vigorous style.
Fine minutes investigation, assert
ed Mr.. Roosevelt, might convince
Governor Wilson Of the fallacy of
the latters trust position.
Colonel Not Surprised.
Mr.. Roosevelt added that he was not
surprised that every crooked monopoly
which wishes to be legalized, confines
its opposition to the Progressive party,
and to me; and seems entirely willing
to have either Mr. Taft or Mr.. Wilson
come into power"
Colonel Roosevelt was deeply in earn
est. Yesterday the colonel chatted with
Indians, Mexicans, rough riders, cow
boys and others of the heterogeneous
crowds which met him through New
Mexico, but today he was the fighting
Roosevelt, bent only upon a forceful ex-
position of Progressive principles and
determined to handle straight from the
shoulder Governor Wilson's arguments.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech here was as
follows:
"Mr Wilson should be above misstat-
ing facts in order to bolster up his ar
guments. Mr.. Wilson has an entire
right to defend his own platform, If he
feels bold enough to do So and an entire
right to assail the Progressive platform,
but he should confine himself to telling
the facts as they are. In his speech
yesterday he stated, that the method
now proposed by the Progressives to
regulate the trusts was suggested by
Messrs. Gary and Perkins before the
committee of the House of Represen-
tatives to look into the Steel trust, and
he suggested that 1t was done to save
the United States Corporation from the
necessity of doing it's business better
than its competitors.
No Truth in Reports.
Neither of these statements is in ac-
cordance with the facts. Five minutes
inquiry on Mr.. Wilson's part would have
taught him that there was not one
particle of foundation for what he was
saying.
Not once only, but again and again.
in messages to Congress and in speech
after speech, while l was President l
advocated the method now advocated by
the Progressives for handling the trust
question. which is practically to apply
the principle applied in the interstate
commerce act.
at is quite impossible that Mr. W.T.
son could have been ignorant at that
time of what l was advocating, because
nv suggestions were given out publicly.
Civic Federation. Seth Low and others
cndeavored to formulate bill, and ar
gued before Congressional committee
the line of the principles l had sug-
gested. Although there were differences
between them and myself as to certain
details.
II wish to call attention at this time
to the fact that as far as | know the
overwhelming majority or the men who
controlled both the Steel Corporation
and the Harvester trust are supporting
Mr.. Wilson or Mr.. Taft. They are cer-
tainlY opposing me. Indeed. as far as
know. the only man connected with
either organization who IS supporting
me Is Mr.. Perkins himself
"Everywhere 1 went in Minnesota
and North Dakota / was Informed that
the Harvester trust was supporting Mr.
far as nearly an unanimous majority OF
ing either Mr.. Taft or Mr.. Wilson.
Il do not question that the gentle
men at the head of both trusts are sin
cere in supporting Taft or Wilson, but
j also wish to point out that Mr.. Will
son and Mr.. Taft occupy substantially
the same attitude todard the trusts and
his attitude is OF such proved harmless
ness that / am not in the least sur
prised that any trusts, which object to
honest and effective regulation SUPPORT
either or both of them inditferently as
against me.
Wilson Defends Steel Trust.
'Mr. Wilson says the Steel Trust Cor
poration is less effective than its COM
petitors and that nevertheless it is Sc
curing a practical monopoly. If he is
correct the only way in which the mo-