The San Francisco call., 1908-10-19
TAFT SPENDS DAY
AT WHITE HOUSE
Republican Nominee Expresses
Confidence That He Will
Be Elected
Roosevelt Entertains Former
Secretary of War, Who
Meets Cabinet Members

WASHINGTON, Oct. ls.-'T expect TO
be elected TO the presidency" said
Judge Taft. standing in the east room
Of The White House this evening. fac
ing 30 or 40 newspapermen who had
gathered 10 meet him after he had
spent the day as President Roosevelt's
guest
Judge Taft expressed a delicacy in re-
Fealing the issues which he and the
president had discussed. and when
pressed for a statement as to the presi-
dents view OF the situation he would
only say that the president is not q
pessimist"
Nor am T." he added
While not especially arranged for
that purpose, the presidential candidate
found in his stop here a convenient op-
portunity for consultation with the
president. his especial champion and
cIlef adviser. and that both were
pleased with the arrangement and made
the most Of il was made evident
While little Information concerning
the tenor Of their conversation was
given out. il is known that they dis
cussed, although in q purely informal
way, most Of the subjects that have
come 10 the front since the campaign
opened. and the president offered sug-
8 esuons on minor points which Taft
. adopt
VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE
Tafts special train arrived at the
Union station at 2-Ie O'Clock this morn
ing but his rest was not disturbed for
I'VE hours afterward. He then rose
dressed. and had his throat sprayed,
ana taking an automobile proceeded
alohe 10 the White House, where he
ate breakfast with the president ana
The latter's household.
There were cOmparat lively few people
at me station when the presidential
candidate emerged from his sleeper.
out those who were there saluted him
with coroiaiity and he responded with
bow and smile
For almost two hours after breakfast
Aart and the president were closeted
together and both attended religious
services at All Souls Unitarian church.
The sermon was preached by DR.. ".
, O. Pierce, pastor OF the church. but
II contained no reference whatever 10
either OF the two distinguished audi
tors
AT the close OF the service the con-
gregation remained seated long enough
20 permit the president and the former
secretary OF war to pass out They
did not stop TO greet any one. hut
started on a brisk stroll back TO the
Nhite House.
CABINET MINISTER'S PRESENT
President Roosevelt had invited TO
take luncheon with himself and Taft
a number OF former members Of the
cabinet number OF callers visited
TAFT after the luncheon guests had de-
parted John Hays Hammond. presi-
cent Of the national league OF repub-
liNn clubs. was one OF the first to
= INT himself.
90
Roosevelt took leave Of their distin-
guished guest and went for horse
back ride leaving Taft in possession Of
the White House for the afternoon.
Robert Oliver. assistant secretary of
war, Brigadier General Clarence Ed
wards. chief OF the bureau Of insular
affairs. and General Henry c Corbin
called and paid their respects. At $50
o'clock by appointment. Taft met the
newspaper correspondents OF Washing
ION in the east room Of the White
House With most Of them he was per-
sonslly acquainted and many OF them
ne greeted by their first names.
Boys he said. 4 have not much TO
tell YOU You see. I am here. ! have
had two meals in the White House and
1 expect 10 have another.
Is that all?" some one asked.
TAFT LIKES TO WORK
This question broke the ice and from
this time forth there was quite free
exchange Of questions and answers.
The conversation covered a wide
range. but Taft declined TO go into de-
rails concerning his interview with the
president Our talk has dealt largely
with "reminiscences. but we have dis
cussed the campaign 10 some extent.
No we have not discussed future cab
NETS so much as past cabinets"
At dinner Secretary Garfield was q
guest Of the president After fun day
.st the White House. Taft said farewell
10 the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
and went TO the union station. where
he boarded tsle special train which left
shortly after midnight for Newark,
\. J.