Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-24
PLANS TO VISIT TEXAS
Trip Will Probably Be Made at End of
Special Session.
HITCHCOCK AND KNOX COMING
Two Men Appointed TO Cabinet Places
Will BE Consulted About
Makeup of Balance of
the Slate.

AUGUSTA, Ca. Dec. 2s.-President-elect
William H.. Taft decided today to visit
the state Of Texas at some convenient time
after his Inauguration. preferably at the
end OF the special session of congress when
he is to call to revise the tariff. While his
itinerary for the visit has not been ar
ranged, he will make the city of Dallas one
Of the principal points of the trip.
Thirty cities and towns of the Lone Star
state united in a request for his presence
at any time he should choose TO come. The
invitation expressed a keen desire on the
part of the commercial bodies of the places
in question to make the personal acquaint-
ance of Mr.. Taft. and promised him a
cordial welcome and courteous treatment.
1t also dwelt upon the advantages which
would result both to the state and himself
through such a visit.
Judge Taft was compelled. much to his
expressed regret today, to decline to visit
Chattanooga, Tenn. where 1t was hoped TO
have mis- presence at the dedication of a
Young Mems Christisn association building.
In declining, the president-elect said that TO
accept meant he would have to give up the
balance of the time between now and his
trip to Panama in visiting southern cities,
as he had pressing invitations from nearly
all of them, and to accept one and reject
another would cause dissatisfaction.
VIII visit Three Cities.
But three southern cities besides Augusta
will see the president-elect during his stay
In the southland. He will visit Atlanta
at some time to be fixed by a delegation
which will come here next week. He will
embark for Panama from Charleston, S. C..
and has decided to land at New Orleans on
his return.
A delegation of southern editors have APP
piled to be seen by Mr.. Taft while here
and their request has been granted. The
arrangements for the reception has not YET
been completed.
Mr.. Taft said tonight that he had
written Frank Hitchcock, national repub
lican chairman and future postmaster gen.
eral. to visit him here. Mr.. Hitchcock Ia
expected within a few days. Senator Knox
who is also expected has as yet not in
dictated when he will be here.
AS the result of a casual remark by Mr..
Taft at the Country club dinner last night
that he had not been able to find here
a saddle that was big enough to stick
a postage stamp on" Judge Taft was today
presented by Superior Court Judge Henry
G. Hammond with a saddle of ample pro-
portions. Mr.. Taft will add riding to his
routine OF daily exercise. A steam auto
mobile for his use will be here tomorrow
in charge Of an expert from the factory.
At a dinner Saturday night to be given
to Mr.. Taft by Henry c. Maxwell. an old
time Cincinnati friend, It has been planned
that Judge Taft shall meet a number of
southern federal officeholders. which will
afford Mr.. Taft further opportunity to ex-
tend his plan for bringing the south into
close relations with his administration and
with a view to impressing upon this sec
ton the necessity of becoming more prac-
teal in It's politics.