New-York tribune., 1906-06-30
Hoe Head of Var Department Got
TesseI for Filipino Sailors.
[From The Tribune Bureau


Washington, June 29.-There is no figure more
| familiar and no face more welcomed in the halls
of Congress than that of the genial and whole
souled Secretary of War. and when Mr. Taft de-
termines that an end is worth working for he
generally achieves il. There is 1t is true some
disposition to regard the Secretary as too in
dugent foster father to his little Filipino
orphans" but his enthusiasm for them only oc-
casions amusement, and when the Secretary be-
comes intensely in earnest Democrats as well
as Republicans fall victims of his whole-soule1
good humor and his "jollying' ways.
Several days ago the form of the Secretary of
War loomed upon the horizon of the House. and
with deadly aim he made for the chairman of
the House Committee on Naval Affairs
There is an old naval vessel out in the Philip
pines which Bonaparte has no use for" painted
the Secretary. as he vigorously welded palm
leaf two feet in diameter; Il want that boat and
he's willing to lend it to me-
And what does the Secretary of War want of
an old naval vessel?" quietly inquired Represen-
tative Foss Does he want to use it for prf-
vate yacht?"
Not by jug full" answered the Secretary.
using the most startling expletive he ever per-
mits himself mot by jug full; want that
old hulk to teach the little FilipinOs to become
sailors The Filipino, Foss. makes the finest
and the Secretary became carried away with
his own enthusiasm and INDUCED in a pane
gyrc of Philippine aquatic prowess
The result of the conversat ton was that day be-
fore yesterday the House passed IAN act to au-
thorize the Secretary of the Navy to loan tenn
porarily to the Philippine government a vessel
Of the United States Navy for use in connec-
: ton with nautical schools of the Philippine
Islands"
But the Secretary's troubles were not yet over.
ne temperature stood at 100 when he hove in
80 in the Senate lobby to-day; he still had
the palm leaf. though it slightly frayed at
the edges. His collar was little more than wet
rag around his ample throat. and his counte-
nance streamed with perspiration but it beamed
just the same
Mr. Secretary, have you got that boat for
your Filipino children YETI! asked newspaper
correspondent.
mot yet not yet" responded the Secretary
as he grasped the hand of Senator Blackburn.
of Kentucky, and paid him broad compliment
on his white serge suit and flowing plaid neck
tie.
81 found that the Naval Affairs Committee had
not acted on my little bill and that they We're
not going TO have another meeting this session"
Then the Filipinos will have TO wait for their
vessel until next year?'
Not bit of il; not while their Uncle Taft Is
on deck" the reply why, when ! found
that situation I just took my coat off-nO, l
only wanted TO do that-but 1 just hustled
around that Senate chamber and the cloak rooms
and the committee rooms and l have polled
everv member of that committee and have got A
unanimous report my bill. Senator Perkins
will call II up in minute"
And so he did. Mr.. Perkins was a sailor once,
and the Secretary knew we'll where to appeal for
nautical sympathy and help. Then came lull
| in the proceedings
Il am authorized by the Committee on Naval
Affairs favorably to report" etc, announced Mr..
Perkins. while Secretary Taft occupied whole
sofa the back of the Senate Chamber and
! beamed him.
There is no objection and the bill IS passed.
droned the Vice President, and Senator Perkins
turned and made a profound bow to the Secre-
tary of War, and Mr. Taft bowed and smiled,
and then, in the exuberance of his joy. he threw
a delicate kiss at the little Senator from Cali
forna, who blushed like girl and resumed his
sea