The Washington herald., 1907-08-13
TAFT At OYSTER BAY
Root and Meyer Also Will
Meet the President.
MAY DISCUSS 1908 CAMPAIGN
War seeretary's Candidacy for Pres
fdent Suspected TO BE Cause of
Bob-tailed Cabinet Session-Taft
Finds His Mother Surprisingly
WeII-Diseuss National Situation.

New York, Aug. 12.-secretary 2 Z Wa
William H. Taft viii go 10 Oyster Bay
tomorrow TO talk with President Roose-
welt Although Mr.. Taft, when he was seen
tonight at the Manhattan Hotel, where
be stayed over night, would not admit
that politics had anything to do with his
visit to the President. It is thought that
the conference at Oyster Bay tomorrow
viii have some important bearing on Mr..
Tafts position in the matter OF the Presi-
dental candidacy.
Secretary Of State Euhu Root and
Postmaster General Meyer viii accom-
pany Mr. TAFT 10 the Presidents home.
That the purpose Of the conference IS to
consider plans the President Is forming
for next year would seem 10 be indicated
from the fact that President Roosevelt
had al luncheon with him to-day several
political leaders from different parts Of
the country and It was admitted BIZ
them that the general political situation
had been discussed while they were at
Oyster Bay.
On his way to New York from Canada.
where he has been since the early part Of
July. Secretary Taft broke his journey at
MiIIbury, Mass, to visit his mother, who
is I'll.
Thinks Mother VIII Recover,
7 was pleasantly surprised" Mr.. Taft
said tonight. ito find how well nv
mother was, and I think that she will
now thoroughly recover; but she is still
weak, and in the case Of a woman Of
eighty years old 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 If mis- conference to-mor-
row with the President was to consider
the political situation and to prepare
plans which were to be matured before
he would get back to the United States.
so far as I know. politics has nothing
to do with the request sent me By the
President to wait on him tomorrow. In
his letter to me the President stated that
he wished to see me, and added that Mr..
Root and Mr.. Meyer would also spend the
day with him I am going to oyster Bay
with the expectation only Of talking bust
ness with the President You see, I shall
be away until December. and it is neces-
sary that there should be some consulta-
ton concerning the administrations of the
War Department while I am away"
Won't Discuss Foraker.
Asked what he thought of the situation
IN Ohio, Secretary Taft said:
II must refuse to talk politics. In my
journey to the Pacific Coast I viii make
several speeches, and the first of those
VIII be delivered at Columbus. Ohio. In
that speech intend to explain my views
on the national situation.
I also intend that it shall explain my
position personally. as thoroughly as 7
am able to describe it
Wait for that speech" Mr.. Taft said.
laughingly. when an effort was made to
persuade him to be more explicit, and
If you have time TO read it-becasse it
is going to be very long one-you viii
get a comprehensive idea Of my position
in the present political situation"
The suggestion has been made that
you might resign as a member Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's Cabinet before you start
on your visit 10 the Philippines, so as
TO make it clear that you will be can
didate for the Presidency"
"Oh," replied BIr. Taft, with another
laugh, I have heard of that suggestion,
but it is a phase OF midsummer politics,
and Ne have TO make allowance for ali