Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-02
WOULD LIKE TO RUN
Aspires to Be on the Ticket
With Taft.
J. H. HAMMOND'S AMBITION
Some of the Factors of His Political
Strength.
AT WORK ON THE PLATFORM
At WORK ON THE PLATFORM
Conference of Attorney General FL
lis With the War Secretary.
Presidents Latest Declaration.

| John Hays Hammond. the civil engineer.
friend of Cecil Rhodes. participant in the
| Jameson raid and now famous as the
highest .salaried man in the world is an
aspirant for republican vice presidential
honors Mr. Hammond called on Secre-
tary Taft this morning. and in an in
formal way made the formal statement
that he would like nightly to be hitched
up with the War Secretary for the presi
Dental contest of 1908
Although it is true that Massachusetts
has declared for Gov Guild for vice presi-
dent, Mr. Hammond and his friends con-
slider that this instruction was largely
complimentary, 1t not being considered In
the best informed quarters that the Bay
State governor has very much OF show.
and 1t is contended that with Mr.. Ham
mond. whose home is in Gloucester, a
strong candidate. as it is claimed he Will
be. the Massachusetts, delegates would
rally enthusiastically to his standard.
Then again Mr. Hammond believes. and
with reason, 1t is held. that the repub-
lican ticket with him in second place,
would receive enthusiastic support in the
mining states where he is known, honored
and respected.
The geographical advantages of a Taft
Hammond ticket are said TO appeal
strongly to some of the most conservative
men of the G. o. P.
Senator Delivers name continues to be
mentioned in connection with the second
place on the republican ticket and Is well
received.
Work on the Platform.
The platform makers got together again
today and it is probable that the docu-
ment which will be presented. to the Chi
cago national convention for ratification
as containing the principles and policies
Of the party for the next four years will
be forged into shape right here in Wash
ington within the next week or ten days
Attorney General Ellis of Ohio, who
may be the Ohio member of the resolu-
tions committee. and who is conceded to
be responsible for the recognized virflity
Of the Buckeye state republican platform
has had a number of conferences with
the Secretary of War recently and will
remain in Washington until thorough
understanding is reached There are
number of planks in the platform upon
which temporary tentative agreements are
known to have been reached by the Taft
folks. but only in the most general way
can anything in the way of information
be had concerning them.
Endorsement Of Roosevelt.
1t can be asserted with positiveness
however that If the wishes of Secre-
tary Taft and his friends are permitted
to prevail in the framing OF the all-im-
portant document, the Endorsement Of
President Roosevelt and the Roosevelt
policies In the platform will be any
thing but lukewarm. And should the
national convention nominate the Sec
retary of War and also odopt a luke
warm Endorsement. it is freely predicted
that in his speech or letter of accept
ance Mr.. Taft will pledge himself to
carry out the Roosevelt policies already
inaugurated. and to do his best to Sc
cure the adoption of those now In con-
temptation.
Taft for Tariff Revision.
Attorney General Ellis is understood to
be i'm favor of plank stipulatins that
amendments should be made to the Sher-
man antitrust laws, and Secretary Taft
is known to be a believer in the efficacy
of t-ust control through federal laws
The position Of the War Secretary on the
tariff question is not and has not been
a matter of conjecture. He believes in re-
vision and thinks this should be under
taken at special session of the SiXtieth
Congress to be called lmmedldtel! after
March 4. 1909
He thinks, TOO. that protection should
not be construed and interpreted as over
protection" but that the schedules should
be drawn SO as 20 cover, as accurately as
cost of production in foreign countries
as compared with the United States. The
prediction is made that the tarin plank
to be presented to the resolutions COM
mitee by the Taft followers will follow
closely the lines of the Ohio platform,
with added specifications as to the details
of determining the exact amounts Of the
various taxes to be levied.
Although Secretary Taft and Mr. Ellis
have been comforting on platform planks
without asking outside aid and assist
ance, there Is no intention of having the
Taft platform policies prepared by
close corporation. and. consequently, be-
fore the quantities Of undressed plat
form lumber have been cut and hewn and
probable that most of the real leaders of
the republican party VIII nave been
called into consultation.
Presidents Latest Declaration.
Because President Roosevells latest
| declaration that mo friend Of mine" will
continue efforts to renominate the Presi-
| dent was written to one of West Nir-
ginia's delegates to the Chicago conven-
| ton for the specific purpose of heading
| off what appeared to be united effort
among certain delegates from that state
| to revive the Roosevelt sentiment. the
general publication of the letter Is re-
| sarded as not eXpedient or desirable.
More than this. the Presidents friends.
echoiHg his sentiments. say that the PreSl-
| dent has expressed himself TO the country
on this subject in terms which admit of
! planned that no publicity will be given the
| lettcr 10 the Presidents personal friend In
i West Virginia. That the mSSire has ac-
Complished the purpose for which II was