New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-31
Tells Philadelphia Chamber OF
Commerce Better Times Are
Coming and Government
Will Help.
A PROGRESSIVE, HE SAYS
President Also Addresses the
Ohio Society and the
Academy of Politi-
cal and Social
Science.

Philadelphia, March 3O-President Taft
was in an optimistic frame Of mind to-
night when he faced several hundred
members of the Philadelphia Chamber
OF Commerce in the Bourse here. He
told them he believed the people were
on the eve Of better times; that things
were growing better and that he be-
heved there would be no great coal
strike. He said he had no Jurisdiction
in settling strikes and that he knew
enough to wait 10 see II you were well
come than to go butting in" to a matter
between parties who know their rights.
The President said he was not a re-
actlCnary. but was a progressive; thai
he was not pessimist, but an optimist.
The Presidents speech at the Bours,
was the first of several he delivered
here tonight. lie arrived at g o. m.
and was driven down Market street to
the Bourse. There were many persons
on the street to greet him From the
Bourse Mr.. Taft was driven to the Belle
ue-Stratford Hotel, where he addressed
the Ohio Society Of PHILADELPHIA. Later
IN the evening the President went I'D
horticultural Hall near by. where tho
American Academy Of Political and So
cal Science was holding the closing ses-
sion Of its annual meeting.
At the Ohio Society dinner President
Taft spoke Of the recall Of judges. de-
Tended the Constitution, said that his
administration had been progressive and
pointed out some of the reasons why h,
thought it was progressive. In speaking
of the recall of judges the President said;
am here 10 express my gratitude for
the demonstration given by this country
mat all the surface talking and lecturing
d0es not represent the opinion Of the peo-
pie. We are a conservative people ready
Tor progress on a conservative basis.
Speaks Of Noisy Reformers.
Mr.. Taft spoke of noisy reformers''
who make plans for reform without hav-
Ing worked out scheme that had any
basis.
The President replied indirectly to the
question raised by some OF the POLITICAL
opponents, Shall the people rule?" Ha
said that he himself had been elected
President by only S per cent of the total
population of the United States. Unless
adult women and children and others
who did not now possess suffrage re-
celved the right to vote, he said, this is
about as near as we can come to popular
government
In brief speech before the American
Academy of Political and Social Science
Mr.. Taft touched on the antitrust law
ana spoke of the plan for placing cor
porations under national supervision. Hs
said he was in favor Of enforcing thu
sherman law just like any other law.
MI Tart said that when he became
President he looked around and appoint-
ed lawyer Attorney General, who in
turn looked around and organized legal
stan, which, while not seeking headlines
III the newspapers. began suits for tho
enforcement Of the law"
AT the Bourse the President. after
touching on the proposed national cham
Der of commerce. said i'm part:
mere II no office that the government
performs more important for the Individual
III the community than the aiding OF busi-
ness prosperity and the removal from tLe
business progress of those obstacles thar
interfere with prosperity. II is when there
Is iots or business doing. ii IL when every-
poqy mas job. il is when the wheels OF
industry are humming so loud that You
cannot near anything else, that the moor
ana the wage Garner are the happiest IL
Is When he is making good wages and con-
stant wages that everybody in the comnu-
MY Is more nearly happy than at aay