New-York tribune., 1908-06-28
TAFT VISITS PRESIDENT
OYSTER BAY CONFERENCE
National Committee Chairman To
Be Chosen July S-Loeb Declines.
rsy Telegraph to Tbs tribunal

Oyster Bay June 27-Secretary Taft and Gen.
eral Luke E. Wright were in conference with
President Roosevelt at Saganiors Hill nearly
four hours to-day, discussing War Department
affairs Two hours after Mr.. Taft arrived Frank
B.. Kellogg and William L. Ward. Republican
National committeeman. came to Oyster Bay
and drove to Sycamore Hill. where they took
part in the conference.
One result OF Mr. Taft's visit was to set a
rest the run1ors that William Loeb. jr-, secre-
tary to the President. might be made chairman
of the Republican National Committee 1t was
made clear to Secretary Taft by Mr.. Loeb that
he did not desire the chairmanship. Mr.. Taft
is reported to have said:
IF 1 am elected President next fall you may
have any office which it is within my power to
give"
81 have made all arrangements to go into
business on March 4 next" replied Mr. Loeb.
"and will not take another political Office under
any circumstances My prospective business
associates have heard rumors that was think
ing of taking the Craftsmanship or some other
political position. and I would like to reassure
them by making this announcement as emphatic
as possible"
The Town Board was in session this afternoons
when a report reached the office that Secretary
Taft was about to leave Oyster Bay
cit would be more than proper for us to
to him." remarked Supervisor Paynter.
..I move that we do So" said Road Commits
sioner Moore
In less time than it takes to tell it, the board
adjourned and proceeded down Audrey avenue
to the railroad station to show the Republican
candidate the proper honors- Nearly all the
rest of the town was there. The platform was
crowded with baby carriages, small boys and
girls and summer boarders- AS the time for
the departure of the 2:40 train approached the
younger element became excited and the town
board bit nervous One automobile and car
riage after another swung round the curve
leading from the Cove Road and Sasamors
Hill. and the engineer of the train climbed into
his cab to set busy with the throttle
I'll hold the train little bit for him." said
the conductor. 81 don't have the honor OF hav-
ing the next President of the United States
every day"
Here he comes." cried a youngster in the
crowd, as Of the Secret Service automobiles
rolled into view and stopped before the station.
The town board made ready to welcome and
bid farewell to the candidate.
~ just came down to tell you that had de-
cided to go TO New York by auto said the Sec
tary. II told you newspaper boys that I'd see
you when I left town. and didn't want to run
away without keeping my word There is not
anything very important to relate" continued
Mr. Taft smiling amiably. although a battery
OF cameras was industriously swapping at his
face. 'I came principally TO talk with ths
President and General Wright about War De-
partment matters, and did We had a very
satisfactory visit. and have promised to be at
the War Department with General Wright next
Monday and Tuesday and initiate him into the
workings of the Office
was the craftsmanship OF the national COM
n1ittee discussed?' Secretary Taft asked
1T seems TO me that heard an echo Of this
chairmanship while up there he replied with
laugh. Ward. do you remember what Il vasr'
William l.. Ward who sat next TO him in ths
auto, smiled and shook his head
''I don't think I heard IT distinctly enough to
get his name. continued Mr. Taft. But
don't mind saying that will hold meeting
in Washington on July to settle that uattas.
1t will not be decided until then"
He will have to lose the train; that's Al
there IS about it," said the conductor. giving
the signal to the engineer II did the best
could for him. and Will probably get the. mis-
chief for it. We will have to make up the lost
time between here and Mineola-'
After Mr. Taft had submitted to few more
snapshots and said goodby 10 the crowd. his
automobile turned around and started for Long
Island City.
II guess might just as well go back to the
hail." said Supervisor Paynter TO the other
members OF the town board
II wonder If he knew we were here?" asked
Road Commissioner Moore.
General Wright left Sycamore Hin shortly
after Secretary Taft. and went TO the home OF
Bourke Cochran. at Port Washington. with the
intention of paying a visit to Ex-Governor Ide.
who vas his colleague on the Philippine commits
sion Robert Bridges. Lincoln Steffens and Mr.
and Mrs. Henry L. Stirnson were guests at Saga
more Hill this afternoon
Secretary Taft disappointed the people Of
oyster Bay this morning IL expected that
ne would arrive at 1910 p m. and arrange
ments had been made to give him rousins re-
July 4th at Thousand Islands. Exceptional trip.
delightful days outing, every expense. only
s..rI