The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-20
BRISTOW ON TAFT.
Kansas Man Says Presidential Candi-
date Is Remarkable.

Washington, Jan. 20-"Take him
from every standpoint, but more espec-
tally the physical" said J. L. Bristow
while in an analytical and reflective
mood today, land William H. Taft is
ono of the most remarkable men 1 ever
knew.
Just think of this said the former
fourth assistant postmaster general and
enthusiastic Taft boomer. Here is a
sample Of three days OF last week that
1 happen to know personally concern
Ing: Mr.. Taft worked all day Wednes-
day and Thursday in his office, attend
ing to the multitude of things incident
to the administration of his office, and
receiving the stream of callers who
came to see him. Then, each night,
he worked at his residence until 8 a. NJ,
with stenographers, clerks and others.
After this had been repeated the second
time, he arose after three hours sleep
to take o'clock train for New York
City, where he was to make an address
and attend to a lot of important things.
He returned to Washington that night,
worked all day, and part of the night,
and departed again for New York to see
about the Philippine railroad.
Secretary Taft has the most amaz-
ing mind I ever knew. Here is a con-
crete example: More than a year and
a half ago made a report on the con-
dition of affairs in the isthmus of Pan
ANA pertaining to transportation mat
tiers and the railroad and steamship
lines, with their affect on transcon-
tinental rates. I made an exhaustive
investigation by direction of Secretary
Taft and the president. / made my re-
port to the secretary in writing, and
went over the most important of it
with him personally. My commission
for this work was renewed recently by
the secretary, and I have just about
completed the work When he asked
me last fall while en- route through
Kansas on his way to the Philippines
to renew this work, he astounded me
by the perfect recollection he had of
all the details of my prior investiga-
ton. Now to me, I having taken great
interest and pride in the work it was
natural I should recall everything-but
think of the secretary doing so, with
the multitude of things, of grave and
weighty Importance with the incalcula-
bly, numerous smaller matters, he has
had up since then"
What Mr.. Bristow explains about is
known to many of the secretary's close
friends. All have not had it impressed
upon them, or have realized it, to the
extent that Mr.. Bristow has; but Sec
rotary Taft is a constant revelation to
those with whom he comes in intimate
contact. He has an admirable mind, a
legal mind, a judicial mind, and is call
GU Tie OSSl pOSteQ iildu IN puDl1C az
fairs in Washington. He is optimistic,
he does not worry he has apparently
no nerves. His body is big, and his
mind Is clear, and happy.
Mr.. Taft keeps a corps of secretaries
clerks and stenographers busy all the
time. He works all day at his office.
barring twice a week cabinet meetings
and occasional absences, or perhaps a
short brisk walk or horseback ride
Then he works at night, as stated by
a. m" If he takes the train, it is to
and pad, with stenographer, with secre
uments and reports.
Just think for a moment something
the secretary is doing these days: He
Is head of the greatest department in
the government, with possibly the sin
gle exception of the state portfolio. He
has all the vast war department orig
the military posts, the engineering
corps, which has control of all public
works throughout the country bridges
and the like, waterways. etc: then
there is the colonial administration all
in his hands, the Philippines, Cuba.
Porto Rico, and Hawaiian matters.
Then there is the canal the greatest
work of any nation since time began
to run. Then he is the man relied upon
by the president for any sort of ener-
gency work. And last but not least he
is running for president! No man ever
did the work he is doing today, and
very few could.