The Washington times., 1930-03-12
TAPS
By Herbert Kaufman


TWO final distinctions grace the extraordinary career Of
William Howard Taft The first colonial governor to be-
President of the United States and the first President OF
the United States to become its high justice becomes
both the first President in national burial ground
and the first chief magistrate convoke the entire nation to
his funeral
Forty million Americans attended his last rites; 100000
folk transported the banks Potomac by the magic
Of radio stood beside his bier and heard the ne
great administrator statesman and urist upon whom the
republic bestowed more honors than any other OF ner Illus
trious
Meanwhile by sardonic qurk of fate, the differences be-
tween Russia and the United States which Taft had so
notably siven to prevent indefinitely wldened ny an
organized and Federal drive to smash the Tro
horses designed Soviet direction to invade every in
dua stronghold and release their secret forces Tor sabotage
and anarchy
washington accepts the challenge of Moscow with de-
up its trouble making agents. and deal with
all like firebrands under laws laid down for undesirable
aliens The Departments Of Justice and Labor cooperating
with Commissioner Whalen and the New York police have
concluded prescribe the deportation act for imported scar
let fever
Lists of the Reds in their employ being prepared and
merchants and manufacturers the land over are urged to
rou these plague carrying rats from their factories ana pay
rolls
The Federation of Labor loyal the flag and still faithful
to the traditions of Samuel Gompes stands ready In SOLID
ranks protect democracy from further BolsheVlst penetra
The American Federation Labor rejects the principle of
Communism unedy in 1880 when the Portland conven
ton voted down it's radical minority in 1928
refuses now refused then, barter its precious
estate for the chaos and empty poage pots wnlcn mare
Drained renegade system offers in return.
The American Federation of Labor thus usfies the high
regard profound confidence in which its leadership was
VIGOROUSLY held by Mr. Taft only during his ncumbency
chairman of the War Labor Board but throughout previous
years of intimate association with Samuel Gompers
The writer vividy recalls afternoon en- route to De-
ot practically devoted to eulogy of Gompers character
his integrity and his patriotism.
America will never realize debt Samuel Gompers at
this crisis in fortunes said Mr.. Taft "We may thank
God that He has given such to inspire the millions
his leadership their duty dread to think what
might happen if he suddenly lost to u.s.
nd likewise recalls GoHperS
himself when with rolling unabashed down his scanned
face asked how he could be expected to hold abors
zeal and enthusiasm in lne in face Of the stupid In
suits that constantly receiving from certain Govern
ment bodies.
related how several federation members had been
experts Washington And whereas the other ap
poinees that particular board engaged at stated
salaries suggestion made discriminatory compensate
their cOnreres only for such days they were actively en-
gaged-and at their regular trade wage scale.
Imagine the effect of the hair trigger temper of war
Gompers had demagogcay proclaimed the sordd
affront of these white -collared morons.
There's enough at Arlington for soldiers of the COM
good well presidents and military commanders
Sam Gomprs would be in fitting company there than in
his present humble bed in obscured ground.
by the aly Mirror Herber