The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-04-09
ROOSEVELT ATTACKS THE
TAFT RECIPROCITY PLAN
Tells Farmers He Changed His
Mind About Treaty After
Approving 1t.
SAYS HE MAY TRY AGAIN
Says Things About Mckinley In His
Own District That Failed to Make
Home Folks Cheer.
SAYS HE MAY TRY AGAIN

Fort WAYNE. Ind. April s.--Col. Roose-
welt was flashing with wit and good humor
az well AZ fight to-day. The Colonel shut
of the stream Of platitude that he had
allowed to flow into his cross-country
speeches and got down to specific issues
in his early speeches. He said at Peru
that If beaten this time he would try
again.
His biggest hit was his declaration
to the farmers Of Illinois. who have been
expectantly waiting some word from him
on his stand on reciprocity. that he il
without reserve opposed to the Admin
istrations reciprocity measure or any
that could be framed like it. He reached
this conclusion. the Colonel declared.
after careful study OF the measure. fol-
lowing his first approval Of it.
1t was his frst declaration on reci-
procity and it was farmer vote getter
declaration. He made the speech before
$500 people in the morning in the opera
house at Decatur. Many Of them were
farmers and they liked it, He said:
Il see that Congressman Mckinley a
people have been sending among the
farmers statements about reciprocity. My
desire was to support the Administration
on every point where possibly could and
at first ] supposed that the reciprocity
agreement was one upon which l could
support them and was glad to do So. I
have looked into II carefully and under
no circumstances. as far ~ ! have any
power. will | ever sanction the reintro-
duction OF such an agreement as that
which they put through as a reciprocity
treaty.
Il am perfectly willing. and l am sure
! speak for the farmers when I say it,,
that the farmers should pay their fair
share. but they are not to be required to
pay everything for an agreement like
that. And in any future tariff arrange
ment of any kind / wish to see IL made
as a square deal in the interest Of all"
He also told the farmer that he should
get his share of protection from the tariff.
Big crowds turned out to meet the
Colonel all along the line of his campaign
to-day, The spirit Of the crowds except
in Danville. in ex-Speaker Cannon's dis
trict. where they were cold and unre-
sponsive to Il dull speech. showed that the
Colonel still retains much Of the hold he
had upon the people of this part
rs President. There was little Of the
curiosity seeker about these Illinois
crowds. Their spirit WAS that of atten-
tion and backing Of the Colonel as q man
who puts things through.
The biggest and warmest crowd that
met the Colonel was in Congressman
McKinley's home town of Champaign.
il was crowd Of wealthy and prosperous
farmers and fresh and vigorous town folks.
A line OF farmer owned automobiles
three blocks long surrounded the big park
where tho Colonel was speaking. About
half of the 81 900 population of Champaign
and its college twin city Urbana seemed
to be in the park.
Mr. Roosevelt had sailed in to WALTON
Congressman Mckinley immediately he
had entered the Congressman district
at Clinton at o O'Clock in the morning,
and had let loose "A broadside clubbing
Mckinley head Of the reactionary ma
chine at Mattoon. Later in the afternoon
he did not mention him in Champaign.
MIR. RoOsevelt's local supporters had
advised the Colonel that Mckinley was
very solid in his own district and that an
attack on him would lose the Roosevelt
cause votes. The Congressman keeps in
close personal touch with his constitu-
ents -. ny Letter letter and is somewhat the idol
one of the leading features Of President
Tafts campaign here. Mr.. Roo~evelt's =
slam at Mckinley got some applause al
Clinton, but later at Mattoon before a
big crowd Of 6.OOO people at the station
it fell fiat.
Aho SoloHoi otbuulk eatIly aVNChlnIoy
and the President was delivered before
a crowd OF several thousand in the court
house square at Clinton.
President Taft isn't a politician" the
Colonel declared. "The professional
bread and butter politicians are ali on
his side and they are making the fight
for him. Mr.. Taft's whole campaign
is entrusted to as thoroughgoinR poll
ticians ~ there are in the United States. -
TO Messrs Tawnsy. Barnes. ePenrose. Gal
linger. Cannon. Guggenhelm. Lorim or,
Cox and others with whom Mr.. Mckinley
ID associated
From Danville. H.. late In the after
noon to Fort Wayne. Ind. where the
Colonel arrived at SA5 p. NJ, on his wny
TO Pittsburg good crowds met him al
the stations Senator Beveridge was
aboard on this part OF the journey. The
Danyille crowd hardly chsered the Colonel
and Taft sentiment was strong.
Entering Indiana Col Roosevelt spoke
Huntington and Fort Wayne tonight
Al Peru the Colonel. talking of being
guided ny the honest vote Of the people,
made this statement III after hearing
me you decide against me-. very we'll.
III try II again another time and try 10
~ you. AS..Aas hanauAnA