The Washington herald., 1908-06-18

For several minutes yesterday after
noon william H Taft OF Ohio, Secre-
tary Of War and prospective Republi-
can Presidential nominee. was a very
nervous man. This was when the Chica-
go convention turned itself loose TO ac-
claim the name Of Theodore Roosevelt.
With direct wires TO the Chicago con-
vention hall, Mr. Taft was advised IN
stantly when the Roosevelt demonstration
began. AS the minutes passed by and
/ the enthusiasm for Roosevelt continued,
apparently growing in volume, Mr.. Taft
is said to have betrayed some discom
fort. But he soon reesined his composure.
and when seen at o'clock he was as
Jovial and smiling as ever
About 3:45 o'clock Secretary Taft en-
tered the executive Offices az the White
House. At that hour-or at 2:45 o'clock
| Chicago time-according 70 the reports
received at the White House the Coliseum
was stlll in a frenzy OF excitement. Mr.
Taft entered the executive Offices under
a full head Of steam.
Have you got a minute Mr.. Secre-
tary," asked a reporter. Mr.. Taft re-
piled that he had several minutes, but
that he could not spare one as he was
in a hurry to see the President 1t was
assumed Mr.. Taft wanted to see the
President about the outburst az Chicago.
DIR. Rixey Comes HurriedIy.
Secretary Taft's withdrawal from the
Executive presence was anxiously await
ed by the newspaper men on duty al the
White House. Some Of them expected
a sensation within. and remained without
in the expectation that something might
really happen. 1t was a long wait
They're talking It over" was the
word passed around
Just then DR.. Rixey, surgeon general
Of the navy. passed rapidly into Secre-
tary's Loebs Office
''Is ii possible that they need the serv-
ices OF physician" queried one af-
frighted person.
Secretary Taft did not leave the eN-
ecutive office. as is his habit Half an
hour aIJer he entered the Presidents
room he walked oct OF the White House
proper. proceeded directly 20 Pennsyl-
vania avenue. and up the Avenue 10 the
State. War. and Navy Building. His
route enabled him TO avoid the newspa-
per men
IL there was any emotion in the White
house over the Roosevelt demonstration
In Chicago Il was not made manifest IN
any way. Certainly Secretary Loeb show
ed no excitement over H. But this really
was not evidence on the subject The
only complaint that the President has
ever been known 70 make about MT
Loeb Is that his secretary refuses 60 get
excited over anything.
What do you think OF it?" Secretary
Loeb was asked
Loeb's silent Answer.
Mr.. Loeb paused, and then pointed 10 a
telegram lying on his desk II read
''Two-thirds Of the delegates remained
in their seats while the demonstration
was in progress"
Without saying so in terms. Secretary
Loeb intimated that the delegates were
assembled TO nominate Taft. and that the
administration expected 10 see Taft
named.
Secretary Taft spent a busy day He
was In frequent conference with the Pres
ident and Secretary OF State on matters
Of business. Wires and n telephone. IN
direct connection with the Coliseum, were
in operation or ready for use from the
moment the convention opened for the
day until II closed. Mrs. Taft was there
10 hear the news.
While Mr.. Taft undoubtedly had at least
mild attack OF nervousness during the
demonstration, ne and his friends are said
to take the position that all possibility OF
a stampede has now been removed. There
was lot Of pent-up enthusiasm in the
convention for Roosevelt. II Is argued
and now that II has been loosed the con-
vention is ready to go ahead with the
business for which II was called into
being.