The sun., 1907-08-13
SUMMONED BY THE PRESIDENT
TAFT, ROOF AND MEYER TO BE
At OYSTER BAY TO-DAY.

Secretary Tart Says He Knows OF Nothing
Political tO he Discussed To-day AT
Columbus He WIN Explain His Views
On the National situation at Length.
Secretary Taft will 90 to Oyster Bay
to-day TO talk with President Roosevelt.
Although Mr.. Taft. who was seen last
night at the Hotel Manhattan. where he
stayed over night. would not admit that
politics bad anything 70 do with his visit
to the President. IL is thought the confer
ence to-day will have some bearing on hi q
candidacy. Secretary Root and Postmaster
General Meyer will accompany Mr.. Taft to
the Presidents summer home. President
Roosevelt had at luncheon with him yes
terday several political leaders from differ.
ent parts Of the country.
On his way to New York from Canada,
where he has been since the early part OF
July. Secretary Taft broke his journey at
Milbury, Mass. to see his mother. who
has been 10 seriously III that a few weeks
ago II was doubted IL she could live. Il
was pleasantly surprised" Mr.. Taft said
last night. -to find how well my mother
was and think that she will now thor
oughly recover. but she is still weak. and
in the case Of a woman Of 40 the question
Of vitality as against weakness is always
a serious one"
After he had outlined his plans for the
trip he is to make to the Philippines Mr.
Taft was asked il his conference to-day
with the President was to consider the po-
litical situation and to prepare plans which
were to he matured before he would get
back to the United States
$50 far ss l know politics has nothing
to do with the request sent me by the Presi-
dent to wait on him tomorrow. In his
letter to me the President said that he
wished 10 see me and added that Mr. Root
and Mr.. Meyer would also spend the day
with him. am going TO Oyster Bay with
the expectation Of talking business with
the President. You see I shall he away
until December. and il ia necessary that
there should be some consultation con-
oerning the administration of the War
Department while l arm gone"
Asked what he thought OF the situation in
Ohio. Secretary Taft said: Il must refuse
TO talk politics. In my journey to the Pa
cific Coast will make several speeches. and
the first OF these will be delivered at Colum-
bus, Ohio. In that speech intend to OK
plain my views on the national situation. |
also intend that IL shall explain my position
as thoroughly as l am able to
describe it,"
wait for that speech" MIR. Taft said
laughingly when an effort was made to
persuade him 10 be more explicit. -snd IL
you find time TO read it. because it is going
10 be a very long one. you will get oom-
prehensive idea OF my position in the present
political situation"
The suggestion has been made that you
might resign as a member OF President
Roosevelt s Cabinet before you sisrt on your
visit to the Philippines so as to make II clear
that you will be a candidate for the Presi-
dency." il was said TO Mr.. Taft.
oh replied Mr.. Taft with another
laugh. Il have heard OF that suggestion,
but it is a phase Of midsummer politics
and we have TO make allowance for the
heated term"
MIR. Taft will return to Washington at
and will stay there until August
ls. when he will set out on his trip to the
Coast. On his way he will make several
speeches. He will address meetings among
other places in Oklahoma and Missouri
md at Denver, Portland, Seattle and Ia
coma. He expects to arrive back in this
country about December 10.