New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-04
TAFT URGED TO MAKE
APPEAL TO MERCHANTS
Francis L. Leland Declares
They Would Suffer Most by
Change of Administration.
WICKERSHAM WINS VOTES
Address in Pennsylvania Turns
Many from Roosevelt
Secretary Meyer at
Beverly.

beverly.
tFrom Stan Correspondent of The Tribune
Beverly, Mass, Oct. 3-Although the
President spent most OF his day at the
Brockton Fair and on the way between
Beverly and Brockton, he received num-
Der Of callers before leaving here.
Francis L. Leland, president of the New
York County National Bank, of New York
City, brought the President word that no
would receive the support Of large num-
Der Of the smaller business men Of Mr..
Lelands acquaintance and at the same
time urged the President to make a more
direct appeal to the merchants and deal
ers than has been made hitherto. Mr..
Leland pointed out that neither Of the
other candidates could make an appeal TO
this class of citizens for the reason that
both were running on platforms the
carrying out of which would unquestion-
ably injure business and destroy pros
perity.
Mr.. Leland said that while the great
business interests might be able to
weather even a protracted period OF hard
times, living OF their surplus, the smaller
business man rarely had sufficient sur
plus. He declared that many substantial
concerns were doing more or less bus-
ness on borrowed capital, and that they
would probably be crippled were loans
called and credits to become much slower,
and that therefore they would be the
first to feel the pinch and would feel 1t
most severely. Many Of them, although
enjoying an excellent business now, had
not sufficiently recouped their losses OF
1906, which he attributed in large meas
ure TO the vociferous, although empty,
threats Of eX-President Roosevelt against
big business, TO have accumulated divi-
dends which would enable them to carry
their business through such a period Of
depression as should be expected from
the election of the Democratic candidate.
For these reasons he believed that the
managers OF President Tafts campaign
would be wise 10 take steps to bring home
these facts to the smaller business men,
not in New York alone. but In all parts
OF the country, and thus to insure their
united support for the President on Elec-
ton Day.
The Attorney General, who returned
from Boston with the President last night,
spent the morning at Parramatta and dis
cussed with the Chief Executive a num-
Der of the problems Of the Department OF
Justice, explaining the progress which
had been made In certain cases and DIS
abusing the Presidents mind OF some
erroneous Impressions made by unfounded
reports which had reached him from unin-
formed quarters.
Mr.. Wickersham also brought the Pres
ident encouraging news from Pennsyi-
vania. where he delivered an address re-
Gently. non-partisan In character. but dis
cussng the initiative. referendum and re-
call and pointing out that II the vote OF
the bare majority Of the people were TO
be substituted for the restraints or the
Constitution as construed by the courts
the next logical step would be compul-
sorry voting a practice which has been
adopted in many European countries and
in Argentina.
Mr.. Wickersham said that many mem
beers OF his audience had told the chair
man afterward that they had intended TO
vote for Mr.. Roosevelt but that after
hearing the Attorney Generals eXplana-
ton of the menace which the recall OF
judicial decisions would constitute to the
bill Of rights they had decided to have
nothing to do with the Bull Moose innova-
tons Mr.. Wickersham also told OF an
bile and highly respected Judge at Coates
Vile. Penn, Judge Butler. who conducted
the trial of those indicted for the lynch
ing and burning at the stake which oc-
Cured In that town some time ago. The
Attorney General was told by number
of persons that feeling ran SO high against
Judge Butler at the time that he would
Internationally have been recalled had
there been such a possibility. but that
now that the community had returned to
II. sober senses that jurist stood as high
in public estimation as he did before the
trial
Another caller was tho Secretary OF the
Navy. who motored over from Hamilton
early this morning The President is ex-
c4edinely anxious that work in the navy
yards shall be so distributed as to pre-
vent the laying off Of regular employees
In some yards while the force is aug
mented with temporary employees at 9TH
ers. and he discussed this subject with
Secretary Meyer, as well as other mat
ters of department detail.
The British Ambassador, who. with
Mrs. Bryce. Is the guest OF the Misses
Loring, at Prides Crossing, on the North
Shore, will call at Parramatta to pay his
respects 70 the President tomorrow.