The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-01

scrtption OF his condition
given by Secretary William
II. TAFT, this afternoon as he sat at
the big flat-topped desk in his private
office at the War Department. He had
been working like a slave in the dis
position OF more or less important de-
lpartmental business. Throughout the
day he was In consultation with Cen
eral Wright. who Is to be his sue
cessor as Secretary OF War, several
matters respecting the election In
Panama, the Panama Canal, the situa-
ton In Cuba and the administrative
details OF the War Department proper
occupying their attention.
Will Not Be yorys.
The only real political conference
OF the day was with Representative
Theodore Z. Burton, OF Cleveland. o.,
Chicago convention for the presiden-
stfal nomination. Mr.. Burton discussed
with the secretary the details OF the
convention and the political situation
as 1t has developed since the body adj
journed. They devoted particular att
Etention to political conditions In Ohio,
Mr.. Taft's native State. concerning
which conditions the candidate is es-
pecially solicitous.
AT the conclusion OF the conference
Mr.. Burton said that though number
OF questions were considered by Mr..
Taft and himself ae could not talk,
Said he:
..Mr. Vorys, who has been mentioned
in connection with the national chair
manshtp of the Republican party, will
be Identified probably with the ap-
preaching national campaign in an Inn
portant capacity; but as the situation
is to-day. he will not be the chairman
of the committee. I have no informa-
stion at this time nSthe n;tionai chair
ntanship question hey yond tftgr-s Z am
quite certain, however. that all the
wrinkles which now seem to exist will
be smoothed out In a few days"
Going to Hot Springs.
Mr.. Burton may go to Hot Springs
for brief sojourn about the time Sec
retary Taft and his family arrive there.
The secretary said to-day that he and
leave Washington on Friday afternoon
at 4 o'clock for Hot Springs in spe =
cial car over the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway. He also announced that he
had sent out notices to-day to the
members OF the subcommittee Of the
national committee requesting them
to- meet him at Hot Springs on July
sth--one week from to-morrow-to de-
termine the matter of the Republican
national craftsmanship.
Concerning the craftsmanship itself.
the. secretary declared he was abso-
lute1y without information that he
could communicate to the public The
matter is as much in the air as 1t has
been since the meeting of the commit
tee In Cincinnati on the Goth instant.
Mr.. Taft said he expected to have a
talk with Arthur I. Vorys tomorrow,
but he did not expect to see F. H.
Hitchcock until Thursday.
II shall have plenty to occupy my
time" he went on "even after I re-
linqutsh my duties at the War Depart
inent am regarding with some con-
Germ a large wooden box filled with
letters which I have to sign. They
are in response for the most part to
letters and kilograms which I have
received concerning my nomination."
Situation In Mexico.
question which gave the secretary
some thought to-day was that relat-
ing to the ordering OF United States
troops to the Mexican border to insure
the preservation of the neutrality laws
He explained that two troops OF cav
airy from Fort Clark and two other
troops from the manoeuvre camp at
Leon Springs had been sent to Del
Rio. Texas. few miles below Eagle
Point. He expressed the hope that.
their services might not be needed IN
any serious way.
In connection with the administra-
ton of the War Department.. as OF
other departments Of the government.
Secretary Taft took occasion to pay
q high tribute to the ability and efI1-.
cheney of the bureau chiefs, the dlvi-s
sion chiefs and the clerks