Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-13
Mr.. TAFT To VISIT
THE CANAL ZONE
Trip Before Inauguration Is
Practically Decided.
WANTS TO WATCH WORK
Believes First-Hand knowledge Will
Help in Future.
hrs. TAFT WILL GO ALONG
Journey Probably Will Be Made In
Government Ship, Sailing From
Charleston Late in January,

'''-iioiii II. 1dlt COHlelHpldCeS g. V1Slt
to Panama before his Inauguration as
President. This visit Is approved by
President Roosevelt and Secretary Root.
While it has not been finally determined
upon. Mr.. Taft announced last night that
it was his inclination to 60 Should
this be his final decision be will leave
the port of Charleston, s. c., probably
the last week In January for a trip which
will occupy approximately twenty days
There are many reasons in Mr. Taft S
view, why the trip of the President to- be
to the isthmus would be of decided ad-
vantage to the advancement of the canal
project and consequently to the United
States. President Roosevelt's visit proved
decided stimulus to the work; the three
visits which Mr.. Taft has made as Secre-
tary of War all were of advantage There
are constantly arising and accumulat ting
many minor tangles of administration and
conflict of authority which the presence
of the President or his successor might
make possible of elimination with little
difficulty.
Mr.. Taft feels that this is practically
his only opportunity to visit the isthmus
during his forthcoming term as Presi-
dent He has not only keen interest
in the work. but an intimate knowledge
of the details of the situation and with
the personnel of those conducting the
operations there.
The visit, which he is decidedly inclined
to make. would put him in direct personal
contact with the situation and would give
him a clear and up-to-date idea of the
method of procedure being employed in
the prosecution of the work.
Mrs. Taft Going, Too.
The journey, If made. would undoubted-
~ be on one of the navy's best ships.
and Mrs. Taft, who made the first visit
to Panama with Mr.. Taft four years ago.
would without doubt accompany him this
time.
The only objection to the expedition,
which has been pointed out by careful
students of the laws and Constitution.
is that pending the official declaration
Of Mr.. Taft as President-elect by the
action of the electoral college and his
inauguration as President there is no
constitutional or legal provision for the
substitution Of any one else in the event
OF anything happening to him in Pan
anna This objection is not regarded as
of sufficient weight to detain Mr.. Taft
from journey which is regarded as es-
sentiai to the success Of one of the big
enterprises of his administration.
The news of this trip followed con-
ference Friday night with President
Roosevelt and yesterday again at the
White House at luncheon. and later with
Secretary Root, with whom Mr. Taft
spent most Of the afternoon. Further
details of the RooseveltRoot conference
were not made known. beyond the state
ment by Mr.. Taft that the selection Of his
cabinet was thoroughly discussed.
Agreed on Tariff Legislation.
Mr. Taft said last night that interviews
he had had Friday and yesterday with
Senator's Aldrich and Hale had led him to
believe that the attitude of these two
Senate leaders respecting tariff revision
was decidedly favorable to the kind of a
tariff bill he has been advocating A
conference with Senator Crane of Mas
sachusetts also confirmed this view.
Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock, who
came to Washington yesterday from New
| York. saw Mr.. Taft last night with James
| I. Williams. jr, who was connected with
| the national organization. The Cuban
| situation was discussed thorouehly at a
| conference with Gov Magoon Secre-
| 'ary of War Wright and Gen. Clarence
| X Edwards of the insular bureau talked
| with Mr. Taft about departmental and
Philippine matters. Solicitor General
| Hoyt' classmate of Mr.. Taft. had an
extended conference Senators Bourne of
Oregon and Hemenway of Indiana were
| callers. Bishop O'Gorman of Sioux Falls,
s. D.. talked with Mr. Taft, Secretary
Garfield had an interview. as did Repre-
| sentative Louden of Illinois, Perkins of
New York. Slemp and Groner of Virginia
Martin of South Dakota, Needham of
California and Langley of Kentucky.
Mr.. Taft left Washington at midnight
| for New York. following the dinner of the
Gridiron Club Mrs. Taft preceded him
! to New York, taking an afternoon train.
He will there be the guest of his brother
Henry w. Taft. and Will remain there
until Thursday when he will go to An
gusta, Ga. for several weeks