New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-15
MR. TAFT SEES BROTHERS.
Reunion Here-Secretay Silent on
Supreme Court acceptance.

Secretary Taft came over from Washington yes
terday. reaching the city at p. Mrs. Taft
followed later I'm the day and Joined the Secretary
at the home of his brother, Henry W Taft at No
SO West 4sth street. Besides presiding at the
meeting of the Prison Ship Martyrs Commission in
the Mayors office. the Secretary conferred with
John c. Milburn, representing Speyer & Co. con-
corning the bid made by Mr. Milburn's clients for
the construction of railroads in the Philippines
To all inquiries to his possible acceptance OF
an appointment to the vacancy that will be created
by the retirement OF Justice Brown from the
United States Supreme Court Mr.. Taft said:
1T should be manifest that 1 may not with
propriety talk of that matter at this time
That the Secretary will confer with his brothers
on the matter that would vitality affect his po-
ltical career may however. be confidently
sumed. for the presence of his three brothers
may not be fairly regarded as accidental
Henry W. Taft gave dinner last night at which
there were present, besides the Secretary. his
brothers. Charles P Taft of Cincinnati. and Hor-
ace B. Taft. of Watertown, Conn.
Seen before the dinner. the Secretary said
The matter concerning which I conferred with
Mr.. Miburn was the bid of Speyer & Co; on the
nifty miles of railroad in the island of Luzon. with
Manila as the principal centre Of the system
The bids for building the lines projected for the
ce1ted and me Contracts anu awaTeS but onIy one
lines
again only one tender-that Of Speyer & Co. 1t is
not entirely satisfactory TO the War Department,
view to satisfying the government requirements IN
the matter.
Speaking of the recent battle with the Moros at
Mount Dajo and the great mortality TO the natives
that resulted, the Secretary said:
am satisfied from my knowledge of the NIoros
that the subject of the attack, that our sol
diers indulged in inhumanitieS save only such
as are inseparable from war. These MOrOS were
of the uncivilized Mahometan variety who we're we're
population. They were bandits whom it was neces-
sary to subdue They were fanatical ana treach-
erous-an exceedingly dangerous element Our SOL
diers were compelled TO make the attack under
conditions difficult, and L am sure they were
as considerate of life was possible under the
circumstances
The Secretary spoke with frankness OF his feeling
concerning the refusal of the Senate to pass the
PHILIPPINE tariff bill He said
II was a disa ppointment to me, and feel that it
unable to saw exactly the measure of material
benefit that would have come TO the F1HplnoS from
6emopstratfng to the Filipnos our desire help
them would be important
OF the conditions affecting the progress Of the
isthrnian canal construction, Mr.. Taft said;
NV latest cables from Engineer Stevens show that
freight is now being handled Win ce!SlIIy anu el -
the organization of the forces on the isthHluS Is
being perfected and altogether everything Is pro
crossing in a manner tha1 tuiiy meets ouI eAp0O'@
tons.
Concerning the part he Is taking IN the anti-CoN
movement in Cincinnati. the Secretary said:
nv, latter accounting membership in the Roosevelt
Renuhlican Club was a deliberate statement OF my
convictions and quite fully covered the SUBJECTS
discussed.
14a however reiterated his opinion that there Is
no logical relation between municipal and national
noIitics' - but added: The necessity for main
tanning party organizations renders il very difficult
TO secure their practical separation;
Secretary Taft will return to Washington al p
m de