The Washington times., 1907-12-29
IS EXPECTED
70 DEFINE POLICY
WTlfsSpeas at Boston Mer-
chants Meeting
Tomorrow
HiSsViewS Differ Materially
From Presidents On
Some Questions.

Secretary Taft has q hard course to
steer between the radical supporters of
President Roosevelt, who want him 10
cut loose and say things In a most
vigorous fashion. and ais more con-
servative friends. who are advising him
this is a time when the country wants
to "go slowly"
he started in Friday night to prepare
his speech to be delivered before the
Merchants Association of Boston to-
morrow. He is expected at that time
10 define his position on the leading
issues Of the day.
Announce Own Policy.
There are various forecasts as TO
what ne viii do, and It has been wide
ly represented that he will break away
from the President, and announce his
own policy, not as a Cabinet officer, but
as Taft, the candidate.
Friends OF Secretary Taft admit the
embarrassment OF his position, but they
lpredict he will make speech that will
strengthen him He will not break with
the President There IS not the least
likelihood Of Shis. AT the same time,
Nh Taft viii not follow along the
beaten track OF President Roosevelt
He and the President agree on most OF
the White House policies, and es7e-
oially on the general propositions re-
latlng to adequate Government control
OF aggregated wealth. But they differ
in many details. AS a Cabinet officer
so Mr. Tafts friends say, he has been
free TO speak his mind when he differed
from the President, and he has done
this without giving offense to Mr..
Roosevelt. He viii take the same course
as a candidate. In general, he viii
align himself with the Roosevelt poll
cies, but he viii not make himself a
mere echo OF the President. For In
stance. the President IS for an Inherit
ancs tax. This Mr.. Taft does not advo-
cate-es a piece Of Federal legislation.
Tariff Revision.
When It comes % tariff revision, Mr..
Taft Is more outspoken than the Presi-
dent He is strong believer IN chang
ing some OF the existing schedules and
will probably not be very diplomatic
about saying so IN public repeatedly
Owing, TO the fact that Boston Is a cen
ter OF tariff thought and discussion.
the Secretary IS expected 10 touch on
revision when he goes there.
Not only Is there wide political in
terest in Mr.. Taft's Boston trip be
cause Of what he may say but also be-
cause he is expected to have a con-
ference with Senator Murray Crane, OF
massachusetts. Senator Crane has been
regarded as a friend Of Senator Knox.
However, the Taft people would ike to
win him over, and IL he can be IN
duced to support Taft II will mean
the Ohio sman Will stand q good chance
OF getting most of the New England
delegates. Should New England throw
its fun strength to Taft, It would
probably mean his nomination.
Hitchcock May Enlist.
Reports are still rife that Frank H
Hitchcock. First Assistant Postmaster
General. Is to enlist In the Taft cause
and undertake to look after its inter-
ests in the South and East In circles
close to Mr.. Taft yesterday it was
said negotiations with Mr.. Hitchcock
were on, but had not been finally closed.
II Mr. Taft can get Murray Crane TO
look after New England and Mr.. Hitch
cock to look after the South, with Vorys
and other Iieutenants to look after
Ohio. he Will have his Arrangements in
excellent shape. The White House Will
endeavor to take care OF New York.
through Secretary Loeb. As to the
West, various Western politicians are
evincing a readiness TO aid the cause
Of the Secretary OF War Governor
Cummins, OF Iowa, has got into line
for Taft, and is understood not to be
seeking the delegation for himself SEN
aIor Dolliver, of Iowa, is, likewise
friendly TO the Taft movement. Until
lately It was regarded as uncertain
what would be the fate OF the Taft
movement IN Iowa. But whatever
may be done as to enlisting new blood
IN the management OF the campaign,
Secretary Tast plans from nov On a.
lar as possible, to be his own man.
ager. He Will have the final decision
on al the big features Of his Campaign
and the White House will appear less
man IL mas before as the all-important
factor In directing the Taft fiFbt
d ~,