The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-25

|
He has very great popularity. His
| conduct as former president of the
United States is conceded to be ad
mirable by every one who has come
in contact with him since he retired
five years ago. after serving the term
in the high office to which he was
chosen.
The activities of Mr.. Taft. since he
left the White House have been both
forcefuI and varied. He has shirked
him or have been thrust upon him.
He has been a living, moving. salts
factory answer to the old, old ques-
ton: What shall we do with our
ex-presidents?
I The years since March 1913 have
certainly been busy ones with him.
The demands upon his time and tai
ents have been large and have been
met. An instructor at Yale, his lee
lures to the students on practical po-
litical economy were invaluable; is
sued later in booklet form they be-
came of general service to the youth
and adult citizenship of the country
at large.
! These lectures were upon such vi
tai topics at the time as, the Refer
endum. the Recall. the Initiative, the
Duties of a President of the United
States. his Authority and the Restric-
tions of the Office, ETC., etc.
Three years ago he became the or
/ -
Peace" which has grown into a most
powerful organization. He was its
first president and has been reelected
to that office annually.
He has been indefatigable in the
presentation of articles and the deliv-
cry of addresses upon this subject for
several years. prior to and since the
declaration of war against Germany
From that time, and in Mr.. Taft's
mind and action before that time, it
became evident that to secure peace
we must win the war. SO that THE
League to Enforce Peace has become
one of the most powerful nti-pacifist
movements in the United States.
Its objects now are clearly defined
and set forth by Mr.. Taft to be:
To Sustain the Determination of Our
People to Fight until Prussian Militarism
| Has Been Defeated.
To Confirm Opposition to a Premature
Peace.
To Focus Attention on the Only Advan-
| tage the American People Seek to Gain
| from the War-Permanent Peace Guaran-
| teed by League of Nations
Mr.. Taft, during recent months, has
| fn hn VII M
training camps with his fine, patriotic,
entertaining and Informative ad-
dresses.
A few days ago President Wilson
appointed him to the important COM
mission to adjust labor differences
promptly ard fairly and help labor
help win the war. His headquarters
are thus now at Washington. Yester-
day he delivered a splendid, win-the-
war address at Kansas City.
The writer has been fortunate in
being with Mr.. Taft many times dur
ing the last half dozen years. and can
not be insensible of the honor of such
associations. which came by invitation
and thru correspondence and personal
touch on various occasions.
When the League to Enforce Peace
was organizing, Mr.. Taft asked the
State Journal man to become a MEM
Der of the publicity committee of the
League. He thus Joined in with a
committee of about twenty prominent
newspaper men of the country. Her
pert s. Houston. vice president of the
doubleday Page company. publishers
OF worlds Work, and innumerable
books and periodicals, was made
chairman of the publicity committee.
!. When the League held it's first great
convention in Washington two years
ago, the writer was a delegate and
look part in the interested and spirited
coverings of the body. During its
two days meeting he attended as
many as-eight sessions, 1uncheons and
dinners. at each of which Taft pre-
SIDED In his happy effectiveness.
, AS presiding officer, Taft is a
genius He beats them all. He is full
OF good humor and his capacity. the
reader knows. is large. A thin man
may have sense of humor. but Tai,
has it to the highest nth" degree
He is thick. only in physical sense
broad mentally and materially. He
gets things done. He gets the du,
speaker off the platform with expedi.
, uon- He does this in various wavs
once saw him take out his watch
ana hang it down from his waistcoa,
when speaker who had been pulline
a long bow on the audience. glancins
around casually at the presiding of.
ticer for more inspiration presumably
saw that watch and the time thereon
he promptly said. We'll in conclu
sion' ladies and gentlemen, ETC." ant
retired to give the right of way to the
next number.