The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-07-19
TAFT URGES 6. 0. P.
CON GRESS Be ELECTED
FORMER PRESIDENT SAYS
WILSON HAS NOT PROPER
STIMULATION"

Saratoga, N. Y. July l9.--A call
by William Howard Taft to the
country to elect this fall a Repub-
lican congress which he declared
would stimulate the Democratic
president by offering constructive
criticism of the administration
action and inaction, and by legisla-
ton enlarge the nations military
preparations, was issued by the for
mcr president, addressing the un-
official republican state convention
here today.
Reiterating his advocacy of an ar
my of 5,000,00O men, Mr. Taft, told
the delegates that now is the time
to raise the great forces needed to
win the war. With democratic
congress, waiting the presidents
lead rather than co-ordnating with
the executive he said this will not
be accomplished with the prompt
ness which is imperative.
While conccding the masterful
ability of the president in stating the
country's aims in the war, Mr.. Taft
asserted that the administration has
not had the same success in forming
practical war policies. lie criticised
also the tendency of the admins
tration ito alloy party consdera-
ton too much sway in its appoint
ments to important tasks" and de
clared that politics has not been
adjourned" as indicated by what he
termed presidential interference in
the party affairs OF Wisconsin and
Michigan.
The rdormer president said in
Indorses Draft Law.
"We must admit that to change
a peace-loving democracy like ours
into a nation which shall make an
effective modern war on a huge
,cale is no cas-, task. There must
he waste OF money, effort and time
in such transaction . Much has
been done by the administration,
and well done. We chould not
minimize in any degree the credit
due to il for our conscription law.
1t was indispensable to carrying oI
this war. 1t was democratic in its
principle and effective in its opera
ton. 1t could rot have passed but
for the efforts 0i the president and :
Republican minority.
THE presidents messages and =,
addresses have been great i'll dcclat- :,
ing our moral aims in the war. In
- ming practical policies for car
wing out our high purposes, how- +,
,ver. the administration has not
the same success. There
S always a halt and hesitation in \
adopting the necessary course lin -,
'lly entered upon. :.
Our transportation OF trops was
low and in small numbers and !.
cemcd TO vindicate the view o: !,
hose who contrnded that the trans =. ~
cr of millions of Americans 10 " !"
'rance inany reasonable time was +,
Criticism for Baker.
"The army appropriation bin OF r
lst winter was reid VI lor more u
fgn two months in order that IT,
ccretaIy CT war might visit the war
ronts and gain a clearer idea OF the
ltuation there and bring back a
cfinite ociicy When he returned.
c appeared before the committee
t the house and senate AID gave di
hcm an account of his trip. bur IN sa
tead of bringing back definite tn
Ian Of ac;;on he asked for more su
me to consider. To-
"The western drive was hen on. iss
/ presented. as nothing else could. I'M
ie immediate danger OF breaking ce
lypugh the allied line. The allies cr
allied upon the administration for ri
id and pressed the necessary ship -
ing upon us. We were pushed w
ito action. and thus we have now
nded million men in France.
Wants Draft Age Extended.
Taft here described the defeat in
ongress. by the administration pu
'rces. OF legislation to extend the be,
aft as. limits. which he declared jo,
ould have provided promptly and on
ithout hardship upon dependent vel
milic. the army OF at least 5000 Shi
% men urged BY the minority in
ldcrs. He continued: era
What is needed then to help this vel
is coordinate sag
anch of t.e government with iro
'wer and responsibility in fight Dec
z this war. which will perform
o functions. The first is that nf a 5
criticism OF admins me
tive action or inaetion. The sec ,o'
d function is by law to enlarge NO
r military preparations at once ''V'
that they shall clearly he ade-
ate TO o1x declared national pur "". 'i'"