New-York tribune., 1907-12-22
WASHINGTON FOR TAFT
That State Wants Him President,
Sans Ex-senator Squire.

c.,..,r Watson C Squire OF the Stale OF
Washington who is staying at the w
,oria. said yesterday in an interview thhl 'ie nc
publicans Of his state were strongly IA iasoI =,
Sa,a,- TAFT as candidate for the Presidential
nomination -,.
..Ths people or Washington" said MI souite
.nrefer a man of previous experience ana JoolCldi
,eunerament and in these Secretary TAFT taxes
,-,rb pIace The Secretary spoke at Seattle a few
months ago before he started on his trip around
The world, and he made good impression on
everybody He reminds me OF General Grant s
remark about Sheridan. who he SAID was able 10
meet every emergency Mr- 1alt is tiioiou6'H'
able TO fill the bill.
The sentiment in Washington for Taft is strong
but the people out there don't deprecate other men
whose names have been mentioned They think
highly or Governor Hughes and Speaker Cannon
There has been no attempt TO work up this Taft
sentiment: il IS Just spontaneous Those who have
known him have held him in high esteem for many
years. OF course, there is also In Washington a
strong friendship for President Roosevelt. but his
statement disclaiming his intention again TO be
candidate must be accepted, although do so re-
1uctantly.
Governor Hughes ha. used good judgment SO
far in his public and undoubtedly has grown
in public est nation"
Speaking Of the commercial and financial situa.
tons in the Northwest Mr. Squire said: I'VE
thought out there for g time that were i'm
from the financial difficulties that existed
here. but were eventually drawn into the mael-
worst thing have 10 contend with is the
railroad freight rates timber The railroads
have arbitrarily Increased their rates from 10 TO
50 cents a hundred pounds and this has resulted
in the closing down Of many sawn1ilis. The lum-
her industry is OF the largest and this in
in the freight rates has been injurious and
almost ruinous The Lumbermens Association
has interested the Interstate Commerce Commits
in this matter and the commission is now tu-
yestigating IT
Last year labor was a premium in the State
Of Washington but this year account OF the
shutting down OF mills there has been lesser
demand II has made difference in the pros
rsrity OF Washington, yet prosperous and
do not expect any hard times. We are thoroughly
alive to the prospects Of business and making
the best Of them. Seattle for instance has grown
since 1900 from city of S,0oo population to 25e-
COO over three times many"
Washington. next TO California, has the largest
japanese population IN the West but Senator Squire
said that there had been no friction there
We are more liberal toward the Japanese" he
said, much more so than in California. We have
use for them and there has been trouble TO
amount 20 anything. Or course, II the japanese
come pouring there might in very dull times be
some agitation against them in the resultant gen
eral unrest as there against the Chinese IN
1885. But far there has been no friction
Mr. Squire told also about the Alaska Yukon
Pacific exposition that is TO be held at Seattle IN
1ae l. is 10 of international character, and
1wenty-thres states have already promised TO take
part The aorg on the buildings is now going on
IT will present fine illustration, the Senator said.
Of the great resources of all the Pacific Coast coun-
try and Alaska. including the Canadian section
Iapan also has signihed her intention OF taking
part in the exposition.