The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-12
NAGEL LAUDS TAFT.
Says the President Is Fulfilling Every
Platform Pledge.

Indianapolis. Ind, March 12.-In a
speech lauding President Taft's admin
| 1stration as complete fulfillment of
all the Republican platform pledges OF
1908, and strict continuation OF the
policies inaugurated by President
| Roosevelt, Secretary Nagel of the de-
partment of commerce and labor
made a vigorous attack on the advo-
Gates of such governmental changes
as the initiative. referendum and re-
call.
Secretary NageI declared that pub
lie men were attempting to Confuse
the public mind" that they were
busy making promises to which they
can not be successfully held" that the
recall of judges would make trim
mers of men," and deter men of ia
dependence and capacity from accept
ing positions of trust.
1T was conceivable fifty years ago
that as a result of our internal strife
there must have been two reDublfcs'
he said. 1T is conceivable today that
If some of the suggestions impatfent1y
put forward at this time are to pre-
vail the question may arise whether
or not there shall be one republic
Against such a contingency il be-
hooves every citizen to set his face. in
absolute disregard of every other con-
sideration, personal or political"
The efforts of President Taft to car
ry out the pledges of the party. he
said. had brought no aid from his Re-
publican critics.
For the last three years" said
Secretary Nagel. during a period OF
unfailing struggle to realize and bring
into action every pledge that was made
in the name of the Republican party.
there has been uttered scarcely a word
of approval by them of these things
accomplished
Air Full of Nostrums.
Instead. they have filled the air
with nostrums, the acceptance OF
which they pronounce to be the sole
test nTORTaggfWn
of aiding to fulfill what has been SOL
emnly promised in the name Of the
people, it is proclaimed that the initia-
tive, the referendum and the recall OF
officials, including judges, and of tu-
dicial decisions, shall from now on be
the test of progressive Republicanfsm."
To President Roosevelt. said Secre-
tary Nagel. belonged the credit for
arousing the people to the full value
of the laws to protect them against
monopolies and combinations. Mr.
Roosevelt first brought the interstate
commerce laws into full effect he
said and President Taft had devoted
himself to carrying out the pledges
and policies inaugurated by Mr.. Rooss-
velt, and endorsed in the national plat
form of 1908.
"The pledges of that platform have
been kept" declared Secretary Nagei.
Further remedies were necessary.
said Secretary Nagel to make corpora
tion control effective.
This task is still unfinished said
Mr.. Nagel. 1T were better that we
apply ourselves to the practical per
formance of so important pledge.
than to fill the public ear with vague
promises for the fulhllment of vision
airy desires.
1.-The initiative, referendum and re-
call are advocated by men who are
ambitious for national office. and gem
orally avoided by men who have to do
with local affairs"
The adoption of those proposals. he
said, would mean that the constitu-
ton, to all intents and purposes. when
its guarantees are most needed Is
abolished -