Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-11
INVITED At LUNCHEON
Mr.. Taft Asked to Attend
Denver Congress.
GUEST AT WALSH HOUSE
Ceremony Witnessed by Members of
Trans-Mississippi Congress.
RECEIVES FLORIDA VISITORS
Delegation Invites Him to Visit
State Before He Assumes
Presidency.
GUEST AT WALSH HOUSE
RECEIVES FLORIDA VISITORS

Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas F. Walsh yester-
day gave a luncheon at their residence,
at which Mr.. Taft was the guest of honor.
The occasion was utilized to extend to Mr.
Taft an invitation to the next meeting OF
the Trans Mississippi Congress. which
will meet at Denver August Is to II next.
Mr.. Taft, in expressing his appreciation
of the invitation, made the significant
statement that he did not see his way
clear to accepting it, in view Of tie posi-
ibllity of Congress remaining in session all
summer.
The invitation address was delivered by
Isaac 7. Prior of Texas. chairman of the
executive committee. and was seconded by
Senator Owen of Oklahoma and Senator
Hopkins of Illinois.
The ceremony was witnessed by sixty or
seventy women and men, the former IN
Guiding Mrs. Taft and Mrs Walsh, and
the latter a number of members of the
executive committee of the tranS-Missls-
sippi organization, and many senators,
representatives, cabinet officers and others
In his speech Mr.. Prior said that. not
withstanding his democratic policies. he
recognized Mr.. Taft's brOadminded In
terest in the development Of the country,
and he strongly urged him to signify his
acceptance.
List of the Men Guests.
Those present at the luncheon were
James r. Garfield, Secretary of the In
terror; George Won L. Meyer, Postmas-
ter General: Senator's +. f. Warren, Will
liam Warner. A. G. Hopkins. George
c. Perkins. Francis G. Newlands. Thomas
H. Carter. Simon Guggenheim and Robert
L. Owen; Representatives Charles F.
Scott. George F. Huff. Theodore E. Bur-
ton, George w. Cook. Robert W. Bonynge,
and w. A. Haggott; Robert J. Wynne,
consul general to London: Representa-
tive-elect George A. Bartlett of Nevada.
Prof. Willis l.. Moore. chief of the United
States weather bureau: George Otis
Smith, director of the geological survey;
Charles Page Bryan. minister to Portugal:
Charles G. Bennett. secretary of the
Senate; F. II. Newell. director of the rec
lamation service: Lieut.. Gen. H. c..
Corbin, U.S.A, retired; J. B. Case, former
president of the irrigation congress;
Thomas Nelson Page. Frank Wiborg and
J. Schmidlapp of Cincinnati. I. L. Prior
of San Antonio. Tex; James F. Call
of Golden. Col: T. a. Wickersham. Joseph
\. Breckons. Thomas +. Dawson. r. ".
Oulahan Ira +. Bennett, Arthur w. Dunn
and Herndon MOrsell
Taft May Visit Florida.
continue its rapid progress and the build
ing up of its splendid natural resources
was the sentiment given expression to
yesterday by MIR. Taft to a delegation
from the board Of trade Of Jacksonville.
Fla and to assure the latter of the strong
desire of the people of Florida to have
him honor them with his presence before
assuming the duties of the presidency.
Mr.. Taft received the delegation. which
consisted of w. a. Bours, Senator Talia-
ferro, Duncan L. Fletcher. John G. Christ
opher William T. Blaine and Hugh II.
Richardson. with great cordiality.
Mr.. Taft told his callers further that he
wanted to visit the Panama canal early
in the new year and that he wished TO
visit and see the improvement made on
the Florida coast and especially the mag
nificent ocean railway being constructed
by II. NJ. Flag'er to Key West. The plan
to have Mr.. Taft visit Jacksonville and
then go down the Florida east coast to
Key West. sailing from there for Panama
delegation believe it certain that Mr..
Taft soon will crafty his desire to see
Florida.
Luncheon Today.
Mr.. and Mrs. Taft were entertained at a
luncheon today by Mr.. and Mrs. Gaff In
the company to meet them there were
present the assistant secretary of the
Treasury and Mrs. Beekman Winthrop,
Gov. Magoon. Assistant Secretary of War
Gen Oliver. Miss Boardman, MRS. Frank
Ellis and Gist Blair.
Miss Mabel Boardman entertained at a
dinner Of 100 covers last evening in honor
of MIR. and Mrs. Taft The guests in
cluded those who sat at Mr.. Taft's table
on the steamer on the trip to the Philip
pines.
Following the dinner there was a large
reception. The guests were all members
of the Philippine party, many of them
coming from various parts of the United
States to attend. The Philippine dele
gates, Mr.. Legarda and Mr.. de Leon, with
their secretaries, were present
The house presented beautiful appear
ance, with great quantities of American
beauty roses and other flowers. The Ma
rine Band furnished music
Tonight Mr.. and Mrs. Taft will be en-
tertained at dinner by Assistant Secre-
f.,,.S- nf 1,p T'rna mr. Rap m n