New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-15
SECRETARY TAFT I'LL.
Too Many Western Dinners Gaze
Him 1cute Indigestion.

st. Paul June 14-Though sick for several
hours with acute indigestion a result of
long series of dinners. Secretary of War Will
lam H. Taft tonight braved dollar dinner 10
which he sat down at the Auditorium with 1000
diners. He kept the guests waiting from s
o'clock until I:45 to recover from the sickness
that attacked him during the afternoon at Fort
Smelling. where he reviewed some troops.
When the Secretary reached the hall. looking
somewhat pale but smiling as he strode down
the long line of 1000 diners. under the gaze of
1000 spectators seated in the boxes and bal
COMES the diners and spectators arose and
cheered Justify. The dinner, except for the visit
to Fort Smelling the only affair which the
Secretary attended
Secretary Taft could not begin his speech for
some moments because of prolonged cheering
by the audiences While standing II was plainly
evident from his manner that he felt weak.
Precipitation stood out on his forehead, but his
voice strong, that he was heard in all
parts of the auditorium. He said:
It has come to be my portion receive hos
ptality from a great many people; from those
in the Philippines. many thousands of miles
away; from Panama, Cuba. Porto RICO, ana 10
have run the risk of several winters in Wash
ngton. but it has remained for me to surrender
to the Twin Cities of the North.
Seriously the condition in which l find my
self to- night is my own fault, and can refer TO
Archbishop ireland here for the truth of the say
ing that you may bray a fool in a mortar
among wheat with a pestle and his foohShhess
will not depart from him" / don't know whether
that Is the ST James the DOuai version, but
the substance is correct
The fact is that | caught cold and added to
my indsposition by eating too heartily OF the
cheer provided for me at my various places our
ing present trip, and am confronted win
a weakness that ought not to confess. ouSht
not to be here now, but desire to come ana
witness this wonderful greeting overcame the
advice of doctors
The Secretary then reviewed the history of
the Panama Canal from the expedition sent out
by Charles V four hundred years ago down ~
the present day. He also told of the work done
and in progress by the United States saying that
at the present rate of working the canal ought
TO be completed in four years. but that IF We
completed the work in years we would
do WELL
After a few words Of excuse for cutting his
address short Secretary Taft said goodby. Be
fore the cheering had subsidized he out If
the door and in an automobile his way 10 the
home Of J. =. Hill
Washington, June 14.-Secretary Taft tonight
telegraphed Mrs. Taft that he lsd suffered
doctor assured him that he would be all right
O. morrow. adding that he needed little rest.
Secretary Taft announced that. accordingly.
he would give up his South Dakota trip and
wait for his Kansas engagement
Mr.. Taft's itinerary had included Sioux Falls,
Sioux City and Fort Meade. He Is to speak in
Fort Leavenworth next Wednesday and in OF
tawa the following day His dispatch did net
say whether he would keep his engagement TO
speak at Omaha next Tuesday