Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1907 — TALK BY TAFT. [ARTICLE]

TALK BY TAFT.

Would Itfrlir Tariff and Pot Bis t Violator! of Law ,ia Prison. .William Howard Taft, Secretary of JYaT, apd the administration's’candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, at Columbns detailed his views on pressing public questions before the Buckeye Republican Club. Secretary Taft was received with enthusiasm, every person present rising and cheering him vigorously. The Secretary’s address was the first and most important of a scries to be made at various points in the West prior to his sailing for the Philippines and Japan efr the 10th of September. Fjoan a political standpoint it was noted that Secretary Taft laid down his opinions in such a way that there was no mistaking his candidacy and hardly any doubt, also, that be expects to have as his chief opponent on the Democratic ticket ’William Jennings Bryan. Mr. Taft singled Mr. Bryan out repeatedly in discussing public questions and the views of other indi-' viduals. The salient features of the Secretary's address were : He favors additional railroad rate legislation, notably an increase of power to the Interstate Commerce Commission. He favors changes in the anti-trust law which will more clearly define it. He believes there can be such a thing as a lawful trnst bnt emphasizes the danger of unlawful monopolies. He does not agree with Mr. Bryan as to the trust license plan and as to “what should be done with the trusts.” He is in favor of remedying the “swollen fortune” evil and suggests State legislation. He believes that the graduated inheritance and income tax might be properly resorted to by the government in case of financial emergency. He denies that Roosevelt’s policies are socialistic and that the President was responsible for State legislation reducing railroad passenger rates or for Wall street flurries. He designated Mr. Bryan’s scheme of government as “nerveless” and denies the practicability of a national referendum. He comes out squarely against government ownership of railroads. He announces that he is against free trade, but favors tariff revision and believes there should be no tariff tinkering until after the next presidential election.