New-York tribune., 1908-11-11
TALK OVER CAMPAIGN
HITCHCOCK ,TAFTS GUEST.
Tells President-elect No Pledges
Hammer His Course.

Hot Springs Va Nov. 10.-The President
elect William H. Taft. and the Republican ma
tional chairman, Frank II. Hitchcock, hao
long and pleasant chat to-day over the many
phases Of the last campaign. 1t was the nrse
opportunity for such an extended exchange OF
views and at the close of their talk both men
expressed their pleasure in the interview
I'VE chucked each other under the chin and
enjoyed. many things in the campaign that were
decidedly serious before" said Mr. tart TO-
night He added that Mr.. Hitchcock had told
him many interesting things respecting the pre-
election work
Mr.. Hitchcock said that he had the pleasure
Of informing Mr. Taft that the campaign had
been conducted as far as ne was concerned,
without the giving of single promise or pledge
which would bind Mr.. Taft as President either
in exchange for personal service IN the cam
paign or for contributions to the Repuphcan
cause Il had known all this before, COM
mented Mr. Taft, "but it gratifying to have
the statement direct from the national
chairman at the conclusion"
Mr.. Taft was told about the campaign funo'
which Mr. Hitchcock is to make public in detail
in a few days The national chairman said
that this fund was smaller in its aggregate
than any similar fund since the record of such
funds had been kept, and that 1t was collected
from every state in the Union and represented
a wider distribution of support than ever be-
fore
THE collections were made" Mr.. Hitchcock
explained through the state organizations
Until these organizations were perfected ana
until they understood their responsibility in the
cause the income necessarily small ana
unassured But when they were In working
order the necessary sinews Of war began to
come in"
Revond these general remarks Mr.. Hitch
cock declined to go until the authorized publ
cation is made He added however, IN an
swer TO a question, that New York and the
East. as has always been the case, furnished
proportionately the larger part of the fund
The makeup of the Cabinet was not dis
cussed" was the assertion of both conferrees-
"As to the details of the inauguration cere-
said Mr.. Taft. Il should be glad to
put them on the shoulders Of the national chair
man to the extreme extent possible, and have
told him as much. On just what the arrange
ments will be and the selection Of the per
sonnet Of the Inauguration COMMITTEES no de-
cision has been reached and need not be as
yet"
Mr Taft and Nj Hitchcock said that they had
gone over the campaign in detail. Each state
had been discussed with the result as the point
of view
II Think Chairman Hitchcock has proved him
self decided wonder as guesser," laughinsly
remarked Mr.. Taft He said l would get $50
electoral votes Well. 321 comes near enough
to that figure to make his reputation exceeding
ly good"
Mr. Taft was playing golf when Mr.. Hitchcock
arrived. The latter took a room at the Home
stead Hotel, and. with his private secretary, MI
Weed, Went through his daily mail His con-
ference with Mr.. Taft took place at "Chestnuts,
the Taft cottage, and occupied the Afternoon
At its close Mr. Taft went horseback riding
He returned, and after dinner called at the
hotel in time to accompany Mr.. Hitchcock to
the railroad station. extending TO him cordial
invitation to come again.
The national chairman indicated that he
would try to arrange a vacation for himself and
possibly would take trip abroad.