The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-20

Hon William Howard Taft. Secretary
% War and candidate for the Repub-
rcan nomination for President of the
United States. is now the subject Of Sc
we're criticism on account Of the time he
is devoting 10 politics.
The Philadelphia Press. the leading Re
publican newspaper OF Pennsylvania, IN
a triple-leaded editorial last week called
upon him to resign. but on Saturday the
Secretary indicated to d reporter in New
York that he had no present thought of
giving up his portfolio.
Comment upon his very frequent alb
sence from Washington has become gen
eral over the country, and Is not con-
fined 10 newspapers unfrsendly to his
candidacy. The Secretary appreciates all
this, it Is understood. and is somewhat
sensitive on the subject He is now
filling appointments made some time ago
and making no new engagements that
will take him away from his post of
duty.
President Roosevelt, according to cur
rent report. dissuaded the Secretary
from his purpose of resigning months
ago. when he announced his candidacy
for President. It was then Mr. Tafts idea
TO become a private citizen Immediately
after opening the Philippine parliament,
and as such to complete his trip around
the world. But this plan was altered.
Other Candidates on Duty.
In circles antagonistic to the Secre-
tary's candidacy his course is severely
criticised. 1t is contTasted with the ac-
ton OF other candidates, who, holding
public Office, have not at any time
sighted their duties. Vice President
Fairbanks, Speaker Cannon, and Sena-
tor Knox, while Secretary Taft has been
promoting his political interests over the
country, have steadfastIy kept at their
posts in Washington. The Vice Presi-
dent since Congress assembled, has made
It his practice 10 decline all invitations
from outside the city, and Speaker Can
non and Senator Knox have followed
this rule with but few exceptions. Sec
retary Taft however, in the past four
months, has devoted more than half his
time-peThaps three-fOurths-to his per-
sOnal and political interests. The asser-
tion is made that no other Cabinet officer
Of any administration ever equaled Mr.
Taft's record as an absentee.
Gripsack Always in Hand.
The Secretary Of War can now prob
ably qualify as the greatest official tray
eler on this or any other hemisphere.
He comes to and departs from his de-
partmental Office with gripsaek in hand
For about year and a half the Secre-
tary certainly has been on the go. Per-
haps he has been at his desk four
months during that period. The War
Departments disbursing officer, accord
ingly has had a sorry time of it in Sc
curing the Secretary's signature on the
pay roll for the 81 900 monthly stipend
which the law designates shall be his
as d member Of the Cabinet The Presi-
dent first ordered him of on inspection
trips 10 Panama Porto Rico. and Cuba,
and TO the Philippines by a long and
devious route. These trips were taken.
the while the country. and even the world,
looked on in admiration. The people be-
gan clamoring for a chance to see him.
often their desires were voiced in the
presence OF the President, in which in
stances the press dispatches generally
announced that the Secretary accepted
their invitations before the visiting dele
cations departed from the White House.
Under such circumstances Secretary
Tart. Of course, could not he continu-
ously at the War Department He has
always hastened back here between trips.
tackled the mountain Of papers upon his
desk against the moment when he must
hasten away again to augment the total
Of his annual travels.
Record During Year 1907
He was easily a traveller Of distin-
guished reputation before the wear 1so7
was ushered in. He had crossed the
Pacific several times in the Phillnnina
service and. in campaign times. had gone
considerably UP and down the country
Large plans for his 1867 itinerary were
forming by January. during which month
he made a trip into the South. EarIv
in February, Immediately after his re-
turn from g journey 10 New York to ad-
dress Yale alumni dinner, it was first
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