Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16
CONFERS WITH JUDGE TAFT
Steps Toward Self Government in
Philippines.
CONDITIONS ON THE ISTHMUS
Expenses Being Reduced by Sim
plification of Administration.
Hoe Cake for Candidate.


liam H. Taft was Secretary Of War again
today, at least to the extent of finding
himself deeply engrossed with his success
sor. Luke E. Wright. in the absorbing
questions of the Philippines. Cuba and
Panama as we'll as the innumerable odds
and ends of the war Office. of which no
one except himself knows the history.
1--WE have decided" began the candidate.
when asked the result of the conference
with Secretary Wright-and then he
added with a smile:
There, you see, have fallen back into
the habit Of feeling myself a part of the
administration"
Mr.. Taft explained that there would no.
be added to the machinery OF the Phlllp-
pine government. at present. a new de-
partmet of agriculture. President Roose-
welt has authority to create such depart
ment and place at its head some t1ilplno
member of the legislative commission OF
the islands.
A Step on the Road.
The establishment of five departments
executive. presided over by Gov. Smith;
commerce and police. with Vice Gov.
Forbes at the head: interior. Prof. Wor-
cester; public instruction, Mr. Schuster,
and finance and justice. headed by Senior
Aranda Is regarded as a compliment
toward government sufficient for the
present, and President Roosevelt will re-
ceive advice to this effect by Secretary
Wright The decision is based on OBJ
lection to increasing the cost of the Philip
pine government in the absece OF abso-
lutte necessity.
Money is to be saved in Panama through
the scheme of reorganization now going on
under Col. Goethals. which received ap-
| proval at todays conference. 1t was ex-
| planned that in the resignation OF jackson
Smith and the substitution OF Maj. Du'
vail in his place, as well as placing ar
army commiSsary officer in charge of the
| commissary department, resulting In q
! general Encouragement. q number OF mgr
salaries had been dispensed with and II
was predicted that when completed the
reorganization would result IN greater ef
ficiency and less expense.
New Canal Club Soon.
There is to be an increase Of at leas
one in the number Of Christian clubs ol
| the Isthmus of Panama. as Secretar.
Wright indicated that he would be able
with the funds available, to carry out tn
recommendation Mr.. Taft left on retfrfnI
from office. This recommendation urges
the establishment of two additional clubs
to the four now existing. In this connec
ton it was explained that as Secretar!
| of War Mr.. Taft had directly employee
clergymen and trained workers of th'
Young Mems Christian Association from
the beginning Of American rule on TIT
| Canal Zone. -
| the conclusion yet to be arrived at. was
whether certain laws of the legislative
commission there should be inforced ol
whether the subjects of this Legislation
should be left open for the consideration
of the Cuban legislature when that bod,
| is organized. Gen. Wright will return K
| Washington Monday.
Mr.. Taft was surprised today by cal
of respect from Manuel Queson. hoo
leader of the nationalist party in th'
| Philippine legislature, and A. u. Els
camilla, who was Aguinaldo's private sec
retary during his military operations. Tn,
| Filipinos are travelling in the United
States and sought out Mr.. Taft as an OLE
| friend and acquaintance. He was hearth!
congratulated on his candidacy by hi
callers.
Many Favor Hughes.
| Mr.. Taft admitted today that he hat
received quite a number Of letters from
residents Of New York state, without al
exception, Urging the denomination OF
Gov. Hughes, the writer's giving the posi-
ton taken as the sentiment of their com
munities. This information was given IL
answer to direct questions, and in reply
| ing Mr.. Taft said he wished 1t understood
| that in most cases the writer's of the let
| ters were unknown to him and they un
doubtedly were addressed to him simply
because he was the presidential candidate
Of his party. He had taken no position
| in the contest, he said, and should no
| interfere in any way. None of the let
ters, he added, was from political lead
| erS.
! The candidate is in receipt of most en-
| couraging letters on republican condl
tiOns in Indiana and Kansas.
Chicken and Hoe Cake.
A real old-fashioned Virginia countr!
supper, with fried chicken and corn pone
was enjoyed tonight at Fassifern farm b!
a party which included Judge and Mrs
Taft. Secretary Wright, Secretary ant
Mrs. Beekman Winthrop and Mr.. anG
Mrs. John Hays Hammond.