The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-23

Nutlam Howard Taft, Secretary of
War, returned to Washington late last
night from his trip TO Panama and the
West Indies He landed at the Washing
ton Navy Yard from the L. S. yacht
Mayhower, in which he made his entire
trip. While declining TO discuss. political
matters at all publicly. il is understood
that the Secretary has his own ideas CON
corning his combat with Senator Foraker
in Ohio.
He will fight his battles in his own way.
So far as he is concerned. there will be no
rush through the State or mad scramble
FOR support.
Before going 10 the Philippines, he ex-
poets 10 make several speeches in Ohio.
These viii be devoted principally to the
Brownsville affair and the railr0ad-rate
law. His methods VIII be dignihed and
he viii conduct his entire campaign along
lines he believes in keeping with the i'm
pOrtanee of the Presidential office TO
which his friends, at least, aspire for
him.
Representative Burton will take the
stump in Secretary Taft's behalf, and TO
him viii fall the duty Of giving 10 the
public the attitude of the Taft support |
ers toward the machine in Ohio Repub- /
Iican politics.
Political Statement Coming.
Within a few days. Secretary Taft may
make a statement giving his views as to
the status of affairs in Ohio. and his
ideas concerning the methods that should
be employed in the coming contest.
The Mayfiower came direct TO Wash |
ingtOn from Ponce. Porto Rico. whence
she sailed Thursday. With Secretary Taft
We're Mrs. Taft, Beekman Winthrop. for
mer governor OF Porto Rico, Senator
kittredge. of South Dakota. and Repre- /
sentatives Theodore E. Burton of Ohio. /
and David A. De Almond. of Missouri |
Mr.. Kittredge and Mr. Burton were his !
companions throughout his journeyings 1
Mrs. Taft joined the Secretary in Porto /
Rico.
When he reached his residence, shortly !
before midnight. Secretary Taft gave out /
a statement reviewing mis- trip. Il con-
cluded with this reference to his plans:
Il shall be in Washington until Friday, |
when I 60 TO Cincinnati 10 attend a meet /
ing of the Western Federation of Yale |
Clubs, of which am the president hav- |
ing been elected last year at St. Louis
standing L expect TO attend the laying 1
of the cornerstone OF the Young Mems /
Christian Association at Dayton and say
something OF the good which this asso- /
citation has done in the Philippines and /
on the Isthmus of Panama Monday /
night I shall be at the meeting of the /
Business Mems Club, Of Cincinnati, where /
I expect TO say something about the /
Panama Canal.
VIII Return TO Washington.
Il hope TO be able to return to Cincin- |
natl and be in Washington on wednes- |
day on account of the great amount OF |
work which has accumulated since my
absence"
Mr.. Taft declined to discuss politics
Il have been away for four months and |
don't know anything about politics" he /
said. The rest of the statement given /
out by. Secretary Taft follows:
I'VE left Washington March %, and /
reached Charleston, S. c., on the 24th /
where we took the Mayfower and went |
directly TO the isthmus, reaching Colon I
on the following Saturday, March 80. We /
spent Saturday, Sunday. Monday, Tues /
day, and Wednesday on the isthnlus |
The test pits had been sunk upon the /
proposed sight of the lock and the 1
engineers, Messrs. Noble, Stearns, and /
Freeman, made their examination. They /
informally reported to me that the /
foundations We're entirely satisfactory, !
but they expect to make formal report /
!, also, at the request of Col Goethals, /
requested them to answer certin technical 4
questions as TO the best means Of con- /
structing the dam, both at Gatun and at
Sosa.
held long conference with the Pan
emanian authorities in the presence of |
Senator Kittredge. Of the Canal Commit
tee Of the Senate, and Minister Spuiers in
respect to a number Of matters which
needed adjustment between the Zone au-
thorltles and the Panamanian govern
ment, and we tentatively reached a sat
isfactory arrangement, which viii be
Formulated in subsequent correspondence.
Complaints Are Heard.
7 also heard certain complaints con-
eerning the dealing Of the Panama. Rail i
road with its lots in Colon, and took the
matter under consideration, awaiting a
fuller statement Of the details to be made
By the lot holders
Il also heard the applications of the
steam-shovelmen and the construction
locomotive engineers and construction
train conductors. with reference to their
terms Of employment including wages.
have forwarded a report on this matter
TO the President What has happened in
respect TO this I do not know We were
very busy during the five days We spent
in Panama.
i left the engineers and Mir. Rogers.
general counsel of the Isthmian Canal
Commission, on the isthmus-the engineers
for the purpose of making further reports
upon the teehnicals which I referred to
them, and Mr.. Rogers for the purpose Of
pushing some condemnation litigation TO
acquire title to land which it now, in the
progress of the work. becomes necessary
for US to take over
a found Mr.. Stevens on the isthmus.
and also Col Goethals, Majs. Sibert and
Gaiilard. and Admiral Rousseau. Mr..
Stevens is very much out OF health and
needs Il long rest. He has brought to an
efficient state a great organization. which
is doing the work and making the dirt
fly, and he has done his utmost to trans
CONTINUED on THIRD PAGE.