FROM ROOSEVELT TO TAFT & THE LIMITS OF PROGRESSIVISM

William Howard Taft ROOSEVELT OFF TO AFRICAN SAFARI J.P. MORGAN “LET EVERY LION DO HIS DUTY” OHIO NATIVE, LAWYER BY TRADE, GRADUATE OF YALE TAFT GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF PHILIPPINES (APPTD. BY MCKINLEY, 1900) SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER ROOSEVELT TAFT ENDORSED BY ROOSEVELT FOR PRESIDENT PRESIDENT 1909-1913 ONLY PRESIDENT TO HAVE SERVED ON SUPREME COURT: CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1921 TO1930

THE BATHTUB…

"While he was in the Philippines, disturbing reports about his health caused Secretary of War Elihu Root to send a cabled inquiry. Taft cabled back that he was perfectly all right -- he had just finished a twenty-five-mile horseback ride and was feeling fine. Root read that, smiled, and sent off another cable of solicitude: 'How is horse?'"

TAFT 6’2 330 LBS. LEGEND IS HE GOT STUCK IN THE WHITEHOUSE BATHTUB; TOOK 4-6 MEN TO GET HIM OUT HAD NEW TUB INSTALLED 7’ LONG 41 INCHES WIDE ROOSEVELT TOLD TAFT HE SHOULD NOT RIDE HIS HORSE BECAUSE IT “WAS CRUELTY TO THE ANIMAL” BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY; ONLY PRESIDENT OTHER THAN JFK

TAFT’S LEGACY TARIFF REFORM LOWER TARIFFS=INCREASED TRADE W/ COUNTRIES NOT AS CHARASMATIC AS ROOSEVELT; CONGRESS NOT RECEPTIVE TO HIS METHODS TRUST-BUSTING LAWSUITS (80 LAWSUITS V. ROOSEVELT’S 25) 16TH AMENDMENT (1913)- FEDERAL INCOME TAX 17TH AMENDMENT (1913) – POPULAR ELECTION OF SENATORS INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION (ICC) – GOVT. REGULATION OF RRS, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH COMPANIES

TAFT’S LEGACY CONTINUED WITHDREW MORE PUBLIC LAND; MORE PRESERVATION/CONSERVATION IN FOUR YEARS THAN ROOSEVELT HAD IN EIGHT! BALLINGER AND PINCHOT AFFAIR RICHARD BALLINGER OF SEATTLE APPOINTED SECRETARY OF INTERIOR; OPENED 1 MILLION ACRES WATERPOWER SITES TO COMMERCIAL USE; COAL LANDS IN ALASKA SOLD TO SEATTLE TYCOONS GIFFORD PINCHOT OF PENNSYLVANIA (CONSERVATIONIST AND FIRST HEAD OF FOREST SERVICE) CONFRONTED TAFT; TAFT DID NOTHING; PINCHOT WENT PUBLIC; TAFT FIRED HIM

TAFT V. ROOSEVELT RELATIONSHIP SOURS AS TAFT’S PRESIDENCY GAINS BAD REPUTATION “TAFT SOLD THE SQUARE DEAL DOWN THE RIVER…A HOPELESS FATHEAD” THEY WILL RUN AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE 1912 ELECTION WHERE NEITHER WILL WIN