Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-03
AlsO Declares He Has Not Been Selected
for Secretary Of State,
FUTURE PLACE IN CABINET NOT DECIDED
Expects to Have Few Problems to Solve
in the Philippines
ALICE ROOSEVELT NOT VISIBLE HERE
ConEressional Party Accompanying
Secretary of War 60 American Pos-
sessions in orient All Well
and EnJOying the Trip.

Bill" TAFT, as President Roosevelt callA
him. is breezy and likabe. He creates
big breeze, too, because he is big man
and talks of big things without the repel-
liant reserve of the small chaps who some-
times parade through the country. He
blew into omaha Sunday morning in
cloudburst Of darkness. but before he went
away the day was clearing and the Mr..
Secretary, who is liable some day to be
Mr.. President, waved a smiling adieu from
the head Of the breakfast table to the
crowd that, fell in behind his car as 1t
moved away.
Miss Alice Roosevelt was reported by her
maid to be sleeping and so the callers at
the train did not get sight OF Americas
princess royal.
Secretary Taft spoke with profound feel
ing and regret of the late Secretary Hay
and said the whole party was distressed
and greatly surprised by his sudden death.
Mention of Mr.. Hays death led the news
paper man to ask the question:;
Mr.. Secretary, are you to become pre-
mier OF the administrations"
Premier? Why, l am surprised to dis
cover such an !mperialstic tendency in tho
west. No sir, l do not expect to become
secretary of state. telegraphed the presi-
dent for instructions when we heard Of Mr.
Hays death and he ordered us to proceed
That doesn't look II l am to be secre-
tary of state does it?"
But Providence is kind to good people.
Mr. Secretary, and you will return anon
What then?"
story to Point n Moral.
The secretary OF war looked his ques-
toner full in the eye for a moment and
then said:
Il heard a member Of congress once pay
ing his compliments to a colleague in this
fashion: 1t is the belief of some peoples
that when man is born some animal dies.
when a genius is born a lion died. Wher a
fool is born a iackass died. But when you
were born nothing died. That's me-" And
the big statesman from Ohio chuckled with
the resulting outburst of his unconvinced
visitors His eyes shone in a way good to
see. He ended the subject with his story
and started to talk of other matters
Mr.. Taft said he expects TO be in the
Philippine islands twenty-five days. He
will visit several OF the Islands to see for
himself what progress is being made under
the American system and also for the pur-
pose of approving the proposed railroad
lines which are to be built in different
islands.
incidentally, Mr.. Taft said the appoint
ment Of w. A Darling of Chicago to be
managing engineer for the government in
the construction of the lines has not yet
been made.
He is under consideration" said Mr..
Taft, but there is no immediate need for
making the appointment. In fact the engi-
neer will be needed at Washington more
than in the islands. to advise with the ofi-
cials Of the department prior 10 and when
the bids are received and opened on No
vember l. There are to be several separate
lines Of road on different islands the longest
being from Manila to some point inland"
Mr.. Taft said he anticipates a good deal
| of pleasure in meeting old friends in the
islands Of which he was formerly gov
ernor, but he added:
There are also many matters OF ad-
ministration and some OF legal nature
| which must be given consideration. Some
Of them will be a trife disagreeable, per-
haps, and may detract somewhat from the
pleasure I anticipate"
DOdEes Presidential Possibility,
An allusion to the possibility OF meet
ing him next time when he is president
| brought from Mr.. Taft the sharp retort.
but still with that twinkling smile that
/ takes in eyes as well as mouth:
Young man, don't you go and inhict on
the public any such stun as that. Don't
you put that bee to buzzing in the head of
/ the American people. That contingency Is
| altogether too remote"
You look the part, Mr. Secretary" ven-
tured the visitor.
I TN tell you another story II you don't
look out. You behave l am very glad
I met you folks, but you mustn't talk that
way"
The secretary said in reply to a question
that the Wallace incident is closed so far
as he is concerned. That was all he would
say on the subject. He was somewhat
anxious as to breakfast, for which the
! table was set in the room where he was
/ receiving visitors and talking, and pres
emily he was left alone to enjoy the meal
as he was taken out of Omaha.
Secretary Taft is wholesome looking and
excelently well rounded. He stands squarey
and appears to be always smiling but
there are distinct" indications about him
that he can be very serious II occasion
arise. He is rather on TIE Iight-haired
order and wears a mustache that is quite
like the pictures Of proper mustaches in
the papers, so even and shapely Is IT,.
Trouble must sit lightly on Mr.. Taft for
he shows no slightest indication that his
recent heavy responsibilities have worried
him. There Is not q wrinkle 10 be seen
about the large face and expressive eyes.
or on the high brow. Mrs. Taft lie not
with the party.
Payne Imposed n Condition.
Serene Payne, the republican leader OF
the house OF representatives is. physically.
a bigger man than even the secretary of
war He fills the doorway Of a stateroom
very comfortably. He stood In the smoking
compartment and talked to the inter-
viewer but reservedly. He said he does
not look for special session Of congress
, with certainty.
But II there is one" said Mr.. Payne
, 'ft will not meet until after our return
I told Taft that was the only condition on
which / would go on this trip, and the
president also understands that"
II was quite easy TO imagine Mr.. Payne
laying down his condition even 70 the presl
dent just about as he indicated. lie Is
, tall and masterful looking. gray-halred anc
: benign.