Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-09
GIVES THE CREDIT TO GOLF
TAFT SAYS IT MADE HIM FIT
FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
Declares That He Will Do His Part
to Popularize the Sport in
This Country.

Special Dispatch To The Star
HOT SPRINGS. Va. November ?-Mr.
Taft was out on the golf links before IN
o'clock this morning with Eben Draper.
governor-elect of Massachusetts. The
President-elect blossomed out in new
Scotch tweed golf suit. and said. as he
addressed his ball at the first tee. that he
felt fit to beat Draper any other golf
playing governor. A good gallery watched
Mr. Taft drive off. He sliced his bali
badly and il went only about twenty-five
yards.
We'll" said man with whiskers who
had whaled away at his ball about a
dozen times without touching IT, I'm
mighty glad TO see that golf is no re-
specter of persons
That's right, said Mr.. Taft, with a
laugh that echoed back from the noun
tains. Then he added: But cheer up.
old man, you'll hit il some time.
Wants to Popularize Golf.
II am going to do my part to make
golf one Of the popular outdoor exercises.
asserted Mr.. Taft. as he made a 2Oo-yard
drive in beginning his game with Gov
elect Draper
Playing golf is serious work with Mr.
Taft. as he has explained. "A man or
my build requires exercise in the open
air he said: 'and exercise TO be bene-
fetal must be entertaining, of course
can ride, but one cannot maintain keen
interest In riding a horse. In golf there
is just enough skill required TO get up a.
keen interest In the game. and this takes
up your thought while you are getting a.
five or six mile walk
Mr.. Taft maintains that golf is not "a.
rich mans game" In Scotland. he said.
ii is played generally by the populace.
and in this country it's devotees are be-
coming more numerous each year.
1t was golf, Mr.. Taft believes. that put
him In the splendid physical condition he
was in when he took up the strenuous
work of the campaign and enabled him TO
get through IL without breakdown.
He will play the game this winter az
much as possible to get in shape for his
duties at the White House next spring.
The state of Georgia came TO the front
today with eagerness to have Mr.. TAFT -
a guest this winter. Houston r. Harper
of Atlanta arrived with many credentials
and full details of Georgia's resorts He
! also bears a letter from Henry S. jack
son Of Atlanta. offering Mr.. Taft his city
or country home with full facilities for
outdoor exercise. Mr.. Harper Will also
present the claims Of Augusta. as well as
other parts of the state No other visitors
were here today.
Yesterdays Visitors.
The Sunday quiet which Mr.. Taft en-
joyed yesterday was in striking contrast
to the days of turmoil he has gone
through and he gave himself up to rest.
Cameron Forbes. vice governor OF the
Philippines and Mr. Luzuriga. Filipino
member of the Philippine commission.
called on Mr.. Taft. Both are returning
to the islands after some time spent In
this country. and a general discussion was
INDUCED in respecting Philippine matters:
Representative Joseph H. Gaines OF
West Virginia also had talk with Mr.
Taft Mr.. Gaines was on his way to
Washington to attend the tariff hearings
of the ways and means committee, OF
which he is a member 1t is his belief
that there is unanimity of opinion be-
tween Judge Taft and the majority mem
bers Of the committee. In that all are
believers in the principle of protection
and that the measure Of protection should
be the difference between the cost of pro-
ducfng an article here and abroad, in
GLIDING a fair profit in the calculation.