The Washington herald., 1907-12-22

William Howard Taft was in great
good humor yesterday, Good humor Is
Mr. Tafts daily portion, but he fairly
dubbed over with it from the time he
got up in the morning.
He took it with him to the White House
and back 10 the War Department and
nome TO dinner, and again 10 the White
House where he had conference with
President Roosevelt last evening.
Mr.. Taft laughed several times in the
course Of the day. and he laughed loudest
when the subject Of his Presidential as
pirations was mentioned TO him
Politics" he said yesterday afternoon.
mot word Of IT, I'm not going to talk
politics now. When I have anything to
say on political questions. III let you
know. When that tirae will come I don't
know. Politics is an enticing subject, but
1 won't bo tempted"
Asked Him Many Questions.
The score or more 81 Washington cor
respondents who swarmed around Ny.
Taft at the War Department at the clos
ing Of Office hours. asked him many ques-
tions as 20 his plans for the conduct OF
his political campaign. but they got moth
ing except a few laughs and some mega
tive information
Mr. Taft showed he was unfamiliar
with several things Of political interest
that had occurred in his absence abroad.
He had not heard that Senator Foraker
had asked the chairman Of the Republi-
can State committee 10 call primaries to
elect delegates % the State convention.
which viii indorse a candidate for the
Presidential nomination
The contest for control Of the dele
gates elected by the primaries will mark
the beginning OF the Republican cam
paign In Ohio but Mr. TAFT was not pre-
pared to say whether DC would take part
In fact he hadn't thought about it,
Arthur J. NOrys. AIr. Tafts political
manager, left Columbus yesterday. and
will meet Mr.. Taft IN Washington. Mt
NOrys was not expected So soon This
week MIR Taft viii 20 10 Cincinnati 10
attend 20 matters connected with the set
uement Of his mothers estate He
thought Friday night these matters could
be attended 20 In Washington. but ascer-
tanned yesterday that a visit 10 his home
city VIII be necessary. He has no plans
OF a political character in connection
with his trip 70 Cincinnati.
When he was at the White House yes
terday morning. Mr.. Taft met another
candidate for the Presidential nomina-
t0n. This was Speaker Cannon. and
they greeted each other cordially and
went away together. The Speaker ex-
planned that he called only TO give 10
the President a walking stick. which the
Speaker had cut on the Isthmus OF
Panama, and NJ. Taft made known that
he came TO arrange FOR the withdrawal
OF Federal troops from Goldheld. New.
Did Not Talk Politics.
we didn't talk politics" said Mr. Taft.
with reference 10 his brief conversation
with the President
1t has been predicted by Mr. Tafts
friends that as soon as he returned TO
the United States there would he spiT-
tied revival of the Taft boom. OF course,
the Secretary Of War has not been back
long enough 10 give this expected i'm
petus TO his political prospects a chance
70 show itself. but II was apparent from
what Mr. Taft said that he didn't intend
20 be in any hurry % make his presence
felt in political circles. or 10 be promi-
nent, personally, IN furthering hls own
chances. he viii make "A speech before
the Merchants Association in Boston De-
cember 30, and may make other speeches
In the next month or 50. but so far ne
has not arranged TO talk on political sub
jects. he is feeling his way. picking up
the loose ends OF information concerning
the general political situation. and in
the meantime viii not commit himself on
anything Of a party nature.
Mr.. Taft ut HIS Desk.
Secretary TAFT was at his desk at the
War Department yesterday for the first
time since last summer. The Secretary