The Washington times., 1907-12-21
SECRETARY TAFT
AND UNCLE JOE"
At WHITE HOUSE
Rumor They Decided
Nomination Contro-
verSy by Fight in
Presidents Office.
Not Known Who Won,
as Both Maintain Dis
Greet Silence.

secretsry Taft and Speaker Cannon
met in the Presidents office this morn
ing. II the meeting was prearrangod
neither would admit II, and both de-
MED emphatically that they had settled
The Presidential question "on the mat
in front Of the Presidents desk.
Uncle Joe" came first. blowing in
like a breeze from the Illinois prairies,
with his gray Fedora cooked over one
ear. his cigar tipped at an agile Of
forty-hve degrees, and his coat tails
standing out almost horizontally from
the rapidity Of his gait. He had not
been in the Presidents office more than
flve minutes before Secretary Taft
walked briskly over from the State.
War. and Navy building. shook hands
with half a dozen patient walters in the
Presidents ante-room. and was ushered
ilto the sanctUm.
Much Loud Laughter.
"Send for Vice President Fairbanks
and Senator Foraker. and let's have
it out ali at once. suggested some hum
orist in the crowd. once in a while
the Presidents laugh could be heard
office. and once in while a chorus Of
laughter emanated from the room. but
though the listeners strained their ears
10 the utmost there were no sounds
that could by any distortion OF the
imagination be described as the shock
OF combat. Finally the Secretary and
the Speaker came out together.
Boys" exclaimed the Speaker, II
civ
the circumstances won't Here's the
think story man. and he pointed to
the Secretary. The Speaker added that
he had brought a cane 20 the President
that he had cut in Panama, but had had
no other business.
1T didn't take me three minutes TO
transact nay business" said Secretary
Taft we didn't talk politics"
Taft's Busy Day.
Secretary Taft arrived at his Office
Shortly before 10 o'clock this morning,
after having already done practically a
half-day's work He remained but a
1ew moments before leaving for the con-
ference at the White House. but after
his return. an hour later. he took up the
work where he had left or earlier in
The morning and has been busily en-
crossed since.
Among the early callers were Justice
Harlan. Major GOethals. OF the Canal
Commission; Senator McCrearv of Ken
tucky. Representative Pearre Of Mary
land. and General J. l. Bristow. former
Assistant Postmaster General Acting
Secretary Of War Oliver and the heads
OF the various bureaus dropped in for a
handshake and one OF the Secretary's S
welcoming smiles, which was forthcom-
ing in every instance.
Began Work Last Night.
Secretary Taft did not wait until Of
fce hours today, however, TO begin
work. but, with his private secretary.
began last night 10 de,ve into the nc
cumulatton OF work. lie remained az
the task until past midnight He was
ready Tor the fray again this morning
at O'Clock. when his secretary ar
rived, and has continued the onslaught
at intervals all day.
Before the day is over. il is thought
that the Secretary will have disposed
Of the more pressing correspondence
and can begin work on his annual re-
port, which he has said would be ready
within the next week
To those who called today Secretary
Taft did not seem to have suffered any
III tlAecNS from MS trip around the
world. In fact, Il Is really limited that
he has gained rather than lost flesh,
which conjecture may explain the re-
ports that before and after each meal
on the journey the Secretary paced the
deck OF his ship TO the extent Of about
i've miles daily.
Bristow a Boomer.
Mr.. Bristow Is thought to have
brought the Secretary very cheerful
news this morning, as he ventured the
assertion yesterday that out in Missouri
and Kansas no boom is recognized un-
less II bears the Taft label Informa-
ton OF this kind Is calculated to widen
the Secretary's expansive smile.
The first communication presented to
Secretary Taft today was a message
from the directors Of the newly estab-
lished bank at Manila, the Banco Es-
panol Filipino SympathiZing with shim
on the death Of nis mother. 1t read:
we deem IL our first duty to express
our deep sympathy for you in your be-
reavement and to assure you of our
gratitude for your earnest and success
ful labor. We shall use our best efforts
toward a realization of your policy for
the advancement and material welfare
of our country"
Gen. Clarence A. Edwards, chief Of
the Bureau Of Insular Affairs, who went
on the trip around the world with Sec
retary Taft, arrived at his office even
before the Secretary this morning. De-
spite his inclination for work and a de-
sire TO get right at the affairs or his bu-
reau, however, the greater portion OF
his time was taken up in receiving cali
ers and the various chiefs in his bu-