The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-13
VIEWS OF MIR. TAFT.

| occupies uDe pidCe ol nouoi III tne cuA
rent issue of the Saturday Evening
Post. After thorough analysis of
existing political conditions and a re.
view of the campaign of 1912, Mr.. Taft
arrives at the conclusion that the Re.
publican party can stand temporary de-
feat; that the important thing to do is
to prevent the Progressives, under the
leadership Of Roosevelt, from seiing
the rcins of government and driving
the country toward Socialism.
Mr.. Taft does not concede the re-
election of Woodrow Wilson in 1916;
indeed, he would not be surprised to
see the Democracy unhorsed in the
congressional elections this fall, even
though the country has escaped the
panic regarded as certain to follow the
passage of the tariff and currency bills.
1t is plain that the former president is
not highly optimistic as to the chances
of Republican victory either this year
or two years hence, yet at the same
time il is apparent that he believes
that if the members Of the party were
to get together success at the polls
would follow.
Ex.President Taft, owing TO his long
service on the federal bench, is in the
habit Of looking at any gwen question
from every possible anglo before reach
ing conclusion and announcing his de-
cision. Consequently when he states his
views he is able to back them up with
an array of incontrovertible facts that
must carry conviction, except in times
of hysteria, such as the United States
has been passing through during the
last few years. an bysteria does not ap-
pear to have entirely spent its force.
1t is quite apparent that Mr.. Taft be-
lieves that 30 long as the voters of the
country continue to discuss fantastic
theories of government and follow tho
leadership of men who gravely propose
to achieve the impossible, the Republi-
can party, which brought the country
safely through four years Of one Of the
advanced it to the very front rank
among the civilized nations of the
world, must be content TO wait until
such times as reason is again cnthroned
before taking the helm.
Mr.. Taft does not deceive himself
and makes no attempt to deceive those
who believe with him that with three
parties in tho field the Democrats can
not be dislodged, even though ma
iority of the voters do not subscribe to
trine, and are entirely without faith in
the ability of the present administra-
tion TO successfully carry out a pro-
gramme of constructive legislation He
is pessimistic TO that extent.
But the former president is not with
ont hope that those who bolted the Re-
publican party IN 1919 for causes which
happily no longer exist will return 10
the fold and exchange blow for blow
with the common enemy. He points out
grating; that many of the ardent sup
portors Of Colonel Roosevelt favor re-
uniting with the old party, and that
the by-eleetions have shown that even
though. the Republicans be defeated the
Progressives cannot possibly win.
An examination OF the returns from
the Second congressional district of
Iowa. where an election WAS held last
Tuesday, proves the former president
true prophet in this regard, The Demo
cratic candidate was elected That
party. however, cast only &c per cent Of
its vote for Governor in 1912, tho Re.
publicans cast 81 per cent, while the
Progrcssiyes brought up the rear with
81 per cent, The total vote was SO
per cent of that cast two years ago.
Surely sane Progressives must see the
hopeIessuess of their propaganda.
Whether they return TO their old al
cgiance or not. however, will not affect
the ultimate destiny of the Republican
party, according to the views set forth
by Mr.. Taft, who, after recounting
specific instances where the safety and
prosperity Of the country depended
upon its success, sets forth the great
work it must accomplish when it is re-
turned to power, and he has not the
least doubt that it will be called back
when reason resumes its sway, The
work the Republican party must do, and
which 1T alone is capable Of doing, is
summed up by Mr.. Taft as follows:
We must direct our energies TO-
ward the amendment OF the present
banking and currency act that shall
furnish an elastic medium automat-
ically adjusting Itself to the needs
of business. without giving too ar
hltrary control 20 the government; a
wise system for conservation OF our
national resources, the reform OF iu-
dicial procedure: eliminating It's de-
lays and reducing It's cost; the greater
supervision OF the business OF and
issue OF securities By corporations In
interstate business. and the continued
enforcement OF the antitrust law;
laws providing workmens compenss-
ton for interstate railroad COM
panles and regulating the relations
between them and their employees, 10
prevent strikes, so far as possible
and TO secure safety in opera ton for
hc nd ~.