Omaha daily bee., 1912-08-30
PRESIDENT DEFENDS
USE OF VETO POWER IN
COLUMBUS ADDRESS
Chief Executive Says This is One Of
Duties Imposed on Him by
Constitution.
ELECTED BY ALL THE PEOPLE
Failure to Exercise is Evidence Of
Cowardice.
WATTS FOR TAFT WITH KNIFE
Woman Arrested Just Before Presi-
dent Reaches Hotel.
SHE CAME TO PUNISH HIM
Mrs. Caroline Beers of GreenviIle,
O., Had Two Large Knives Con-
cealed i'm Clothing When
t-' Arrested
WATTS FOR TAFT WITH KNIFE
Woman Arrested Just Before Presi.
dent Reaches Hotel.
SHE CAME TO PUNISH HIs

COLUMBUS, o., President Taft publicly
explained today his exercise of the veto
power: In his speech to a great crowd OF
farmers on the state fair grounds here.
ne declared that a president who did not
use the veto power when he thought 1t
should be used proved himself coward.
Some Of my friends say" said the
president, that il king had used the
veto power as L have. his head would
drop the basket But I am not a king,
and that is very different. The president
has the power and it is his duty If he
does not approve legislation to veto 1t.
He must use the veto when his conscience
tells him, whether his head drops in the
basket or not If presidents are men
and most OF them are-they will exer-
else the veto when they think they ought.
Most Vetoes are Good.
Look over the vetoes of other presi-
dents and show me the bad one and will
show You more that made good. Our
forefathers thought that it was well to
have one man who would represent all
the people and who would be able to tell
IhAi bAC POOPiO WICtI lac saw lcBihAdtlUii
that he did not believe was good The
veto is an excellent thing. My friends who
criticise me forget that l was elected
just as they were and by good many
more people than they were."
The president spoke to the farmers of
legislation which congress had enacted
for their benefit and promised that other
legislation would follow He said the gov
ernment is investigating the system Of
agricultural experts in Germany which
extend credit to the farmers at low
interest with the purpose of introducing
1T in this country II found feasible.
He traced the history of Ohio briefly
and in passing paid his respects to the
present-day reforlner.
'One trouble with the present-day re-
former" he said, is that he wants hts
reforms put into effect tomorrow MORN
ing before breakfast Reforms do not
come quickly. Mere change is not nec-
essariiy progress"
Woman with Big knives Arrested.
Caroline Beers. aged 40, who said she
was from Greenville, O., was arrested by
Pittsburgh detectives at the Southern
hotel. while waiting for President Taft
with two long knives found concealed in
her clothing. The woman said she was
the wife Of the president.
Mrs. Beers said she was going to punish
the president. She had been noticed yes
terday afternoon waiting around the hotel
and told employees she was waiting for
the president.
'I have the sacred knife for President
Taft" she told detective when arrested.
The woman did not get near the presi-
dent, but was arrested and rushed out
Of the hotel just as the presidential party
arrived She was found in one Of the
upper floors waiting near the elevator on
which 1t was expected the president would
go to his apartments.
One of the knives found in her clothing
was a long, keen-bladed affair." on the
handle Of which a picture of President
Taft had been photographed. Mrs. Beers
was well dressed A roll of $500 was
found in her clothing.
President Taft was not tol dof her
arrest.
Mulvane Hears Good Results.
CHICAGO, Aug. 2s.-David w. Mulvane
of Kansas, director of the republican
campaign in the west, today declared that
the election news from Michigan was en-
couraging to the republican party Wis
itors from Indiana and Nebraska gave
Mr.. Mulvane reports of conditions which
were also pleasing to him.
Joseph E Davies of Wisconsin, secre-
tsry of the democratic national commit
tee, conferred with number OF visitors.
Preparations were made to enter the
college field and 1t was announced that
Dudley Field Malone OF New York would
Join the staff In few days as the head
of the college and young mems club
department Mr. Malone is a son-in-law
of United States Senator O'Gorman Of
New York.
Borah VIII Not Take stump.
SPOKANE, Wash, Aug. @.-Seator
William e. Borah OF Idaho denied en-
phatically today the statement that he
would campaign actively in support Of
President Taft He declared any speeches
he proposed to make probably would not
be acceptable to the republican national
committee.
Seismic Shock al Calumet.
CALUMET, Mich, Aug 9.--What Is
believed to have been an earthquake