Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
FIRST DAY AT HIS DESK
SECRETARY TAFT HAD MANY
CALLERS.
Some Presumably Talked Politics,
But He Would Not Discuss
Subject.

busy one from beginning to end. He
had great number of callers, most of
them officials connected with the War
Department, but besides these there were
a number of persons whose business
could not reasonably be connected with
that department. Such. for instance, was
]. L. Bristow of Kansas, at one time
| fourth assistant postmaster general, but
| now very active political influence in
Kansas. where he resides. Then there
were Representative Pearre of Maryland
ex-senator Marion Butler of North Caro-
lima and Justices Harlan and Day of the
United States Supreme Court, both of
whom are credited with, retaining a lively
interest in the political developments in
their, own states of Kentucky and Ohio
Senator Fulton of Oregon and Senator
McCreary of Kentucky, Senator Long and
Representative Scott of Kansas and Rep
preventative Douglas of Ohio also had &C
cess to the Secretary's private ear for a
time. If they talked politics. however,
and some of them admitted that they did,
notably Gen. BristOw. who said that Kan
sas. was enthusiastically for Taft, the Sec
rotary himself was not to be led into any
discussion of that subject with the news
paper men who wished him to talk it
later. In fact, he said to them very
plainly that the theme was a forbidden
one at this moment but if proper occa-
sion arose in the future he would be glad
to make a full statement on that subject.
That answer covered all questions as to
his plans for the immediate future, such
as to the probability of his going to Ohio
to take part in the contest over the early
primaries.
Will Speak at Home Market Club.
He did admit. however. that he had au-
thorized his private secretary to accept
an invitation to attend the banquet of the
Home Market Club of Boston and adj
dress that body the night of the Both in
slant The topic is to be the Philippine
tariff, and might in one sense be regarded
as political in it's relation to the American
tariff though Secretary Taft will en-
deavor to have the projected removal OF
duties on Philippine products imported
into America considered on non partisan
basis.
advance possible criticism. stated that it
might be necessary for him to make a
visit to Cincinnati in the near future. But
that visit would be connected with the
settlement of the estate of his recently
deceased mother and would be totally
disconnected with politics.
Col. Goethals. chief engineer of the
Panama canal; ex-senator ]. c. s. Black.
burn, a member of the Panama canal
commission, in charge Of the civil admin
istration of the zone. and Mr.. r. r. Rog-
ers, the law officer of the commission,
talked with Secretary Taft about afralrs
on the isthmus. The Secretary has yet
to submit to Congress his annual report:
| one of the most important chapters OF
which will deal with canal construction.
| He very much desires to make a personal
visit to the isthmus to get the information
he needs at first hand. Indeed. he was
| urged to make this visit, especially by
Commissioner Blackburn, but owing to
the vast accumulation of business await
ing his disposition he could not promise
i to make the trip before next summer.
| Meanwhile he was supplied with sucn
| information as he desired relative to canal
work by the three officials connected with
the project who called upon him today.
Conferred With President.
The Secretary found time during the
day to repair to the White House and
confer with the President briefly about
the situation in Golui,eld. New, the result
of his visit being the issue of an order Ito
the commander Of the Department of Cali
fornia providing for the formal execution
! of the decision of the President. an
nounced in his telegram to Gov. Sparks
| yesterday, to withdraw the regular troops
I from Goldfield on the 3Oth instant.
| Arthur Vorys, the manager of the Taft
| boom in Ohio is expected in Washington
| tomorrow and the Secretary will have an
opportunity to confer with his lieutenant
respecting the political situation, and the
| result may be to crystalline his plans for
| the future.
A conference lasting for about two
| hours was held at the White House last
| night between President Roosevelt and
, Secretary Taft, at the close of which the
| Secretary stated that his visit was for
| the purpose of continuing the discussion
he had with the President Friday night
and Saturday. The Secretary also said
that he was seeking from the President
all the information possible regarding
what had transpired during his absence.
Mr. Taft announced that after his con-
ference here with his political manager,
Arthur 1. Vorys of Ohio. at which the
political situation generally will be dis
cussed, he will leave for Cincinnati. where
he goes in connection with the settlement
of the estate of his mother. who died re-
Gently. The Secretary is one of the ex-
ecutors of his mothers estate.
For several hours during the afternoon,
while Secretary Taft was in conference
with these various callers, noble-looking
steed paced slowly up and down the
asphalt street directly below his window
The Secretary has keenly felt the need of
outdoor exercise, above all has he missed
his favorite diversion of riding. So he
+ had let it be known in advance of his
coming to Washington that he would like
to have a saddle horse provided for his
NAL which was burned to death last sum-
mer. 1t was no easy matter to secure a
horse capable of carrying the Secretary S
weight at good gait over the long rides
which he is fond of taking through the
rather rough country in the Rock creek
valley Finally, after smuch search, Gen.
Aleshire, the quartermaster general,
whose duty it is to keep the army sup
piled with live stock, found the animal
he desired in the little town of Mexico
,tvxy -Lns-o