New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-20
NO BOOM FOR MR.. TAFT.
The President Unused at RumorS
about Conference.

=
Washington. March 19-The report that the
Taft Presidential boom has been launched at the
White House during the recent conference be-
tween the President and Governor Deneen OF
Illinois has caused the former considerable
amusement since Saturday That the story has
been received by any one in good faith is rather
surprising in view OF the fact that such con-
. ference over such a subject would violate all
kinds of political precedents and be certain TO
kin of the candidate that the parties to the con-
sultation most wished to boom. The President
laughed heartily when the rumor was brought
e his attention and during to-days Cabinet
meeting had considerable fun over the story at
the War Secretary's expense.
The idea that the Taft boom would be
launched at the visit of the Governor Of Illinois
more than a year ahead OF the convention, is
ridiculous enough by itself said friend Of the
President to-day but it becomes perfectly i'm
possible when you consider the fact that the At
torley General OF Illinois was also present"
But perhaps the President did not know the
Attorney General was coming" suggested one
of the little knot of persons to whom this inter
view was given.
But the President as It happened. invited
the Attorney General to come" said the Presl-
dents friend
Senator Hansbrough OF North Dakota. was
story. lie believed it Of sufficient Importance to
call at the White House to-day TO ask the Presi-
dent Just how much truth there was in the
report,
Il am authorized 20 deny the statement from
first n last" said Senator Hansbrough. after
his talk with the President The matter of
Mr. Tafts candidacy for the Presidency was not
even limited at during the interview with Gov
crnor Deneen and Attorney General Stead. I
told the President that ! was going home pretty
soon and I knew that my people would ask me,
as soon I got there. if It We're true that the
President had started a boom for Secretary
Taft. ] also told him that as a very good friend
Of his and of his administration 1 thought I
ought 70 have the Straight steer on the mat
ter. He said that 7 was certainly entitled TO
know sll about it. and authorized me to deny
the story just emphatically as I knew how.
! told him that thought the story looked rather
absurd on its face. because I believed him 70
he too good a politician TO spring a candidate
more than year in advance Of the convention,
II he did. he knew very we'll that every man
In the country that owns a popgun would be
pepperlnG away a. the man put up and one
Of the shots would be pretty sure 70 strike
home. The President authorized me TO say that
there was no hint Of politics In the interview
beyond the mere reference made by the Presi-
dent 70 the M9Yoralfy campaign now going on
in Chicago"
Il is understood upon first class authority
that the subject under discussion by the Presi-
dent and the Governor and Attorney General Of
Illinois was the Alton bond deal. and especially
1Ir Harrimsus connection with r.
Secretary Taft tonight issued The following
statement:
I had an appointment with the President at
= so o'clock Saturday afternoon. and went to
the White House to keep II. l found Governor
Deneen and Attorney General Stead with the
President. and l was introduced 70 them. They
left Immediately There was no political con
yersation Of any kind.