New-York tribune., 1907-04-06
TAFT NOT HEARD FROM.
THE SECRETARY BUSY.
Occupied 5cith Grave Problems. He
Seems to ignore Politics.
GFrom Tho Tribune Bureau.I


washington. April 5.-Whatever excitement
the Taft boom" may be creating among its
friends and opponents In Washington. Ohio and
other places. II does not appear to have sue
ceeded in distracting Mr.. Tafts attention from
the important and grave problems with which
ne mas been and is 10 be called on TO deal on his
trip to Panama, Cuba and Porto Rico II secre
tary TAFT has heard of Senator Foraker's state
inent he has given no Indication OF the fact
Nothing has been heard from the Secretary on
lhe subject OF politics since he sailed FOR
Panama on March "a The problems With which
he has been called ON to deal IN Panama. while
not all. perhaps. OF the gravest character
have been troublesome, and the great question
which his trip is expected 10 settle the precise
location Of the Gatun dam, is OF the utmost i'm
portance.
In Cuba a wholly different set OF problems
viii confront the Secretary. many OF them Of a
grave and trying nature, and it is character
istc OF Mr. Taft that his mission should engage
his entire attention. 10 the complete exclusion
Of his personal and political interests.
Some Of the Secretary's closest friends re-
gard the statement made by Charles r. Taft in
reply to Senator Foroker as humorous. If not
somewhat injudicious OF course II was issued
by Mr. Taft wholly on his own responsibility,
and. according to the Secretary's friends is ro
here that Mr. Taft considered Senator Foraker,s
statement as largely in the nature Of a blur
and determined that. in the absence Of instruc-
uons or advice from the Secretary. he would
not be "out- -bluffed'
The intimatlon that Secretary Taft is seeking
the senatorship Is not regarded seriously here AS
he has,clearly stated. his ambitions are not po-
htical, his preference is for the Judiciary and
only manifest evidence of desire cherished by
a great number Of his fellow citizens will in
duce him to accept the nomination for the Pres
idency.
REJECTION OF FORAKER OFFER.
The latest utterance of Secretary Taft on this
subject was made to a man who called on him
in behalf OF Senator Foraker seeking to effect
an alliance whereby Mr. Forakers return 10 the
Senate might be insured. while to Secretary Taft
was guaranteed the solid delegation of his
state In the next national convention Although
this Intermediary, who wen. to Mr. Taft at the
request of Mr.. Foraker. was prepared to assure
the Secretary Of the solid delegation Of Ohio
and although the Secretary believed that such
compromise would insure his nomination. he
refused TO be party to the compromise as has
already been announced in these dispatches. on |
that occasion Secretary Taft said to the Senator
who came to him intermediary that he did
not care enough for the Presidential nomination /,
TO form the proposed alliance. that he had al /
ways stood for just the opposite of that for |
which Senator Foraker had STOOD and he did |
not consider that II would be fair to his friends
TO commit them to a programme whereby they |
must support Mr.. Foraker IL they supported |
him. on the other hand. the Secretary de- /
clared that he had purpose OF opposing |
Senator FOraker's efforts for reelection He /
regarded that as purely state affair. while he |
looked on the nomination OF a Presidential can
didate as national affair This is the last ut
terance OF Mr.. Taft on the subject. and il is
garded as evidence that the statement of Charles
p. Taft is not TO be taken seriously.
A story which has been circulated recently
is to the effect that It is a part OF the Taft
programme to have Representative Nicholas
LOngworth elected TO the Senate to succeed
Senator Dick OF course there is no foundation
Tor the report. which is understood 10 be q
rumor which reached Senator Dick and got into
circulation through him. That the friends OF
Secretary Taft have any such plan in view is
untrue
Some OF Secretary Taft's friends are con-
cerned over the effect of Charles p. Taft's state
ment, which they believe has led people TO draw
the conclusion that Secretary Taft would lay
aside tho heavy responsibilities OF his Office and
enter into the rough tumble campaign pro-
posed by Senator Foraker perhaps meeting Mr..
Foraker In joint debate. AS has been said be-
fore. nothing has been heard from Secretary
Taft since the Foraker statement was issued,
but tho Secretarys friends in Washington do
not believe that he would consent 70 make any
scramble for the nomination.
IL Is not expected that Mr.. Taft Will COM
municate with his friends in the United States
Continued third page.