Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-07
Judge Visits Twelve +es and Two
Millions See o. " Tim,
GREATEST CROWDS
Conflicting Elements in Several : J
Line Up for National Ticket. \
WILL CONTINUE ROAD CAMPAIGN
Judge Taft Has Requested Committee
20 Arrange Itinerary that Will
Occupy Every Day Un-
all Election.

ended tonight. he Is 10 speak hI chicago
and dalesburg. but his address in those
cities will be non-political 1t will be two
weeks tomorrow since the Taft special left
Cincinnati. In that time twelve states
have been visited. and fully 100000 persons
have seen and heard the republican cand-
date for the presidency.
All misgivings Of the success of the trip
were abandoned before Mr.. Taft had been
away from home two days, but the most
optimistic members OF his party were sur
priscd at the remarkable evations given
him as he penetrated In the west
and visited states which had been listed in
the doubtful column. Having seen with his
own eyes, heard with his own ears and
discussed face to face with the local leaders
the political problems of Wisconsin, Min
nesota Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South
Dakota. North Dakota and Colorado. Mr..
Taft is firmly convinced that these states
viii return republican piuralties in Novem-
ber. In more than half the states visited
by the TAFT party there are factional diff
ferenees among the republicans on state
matters Mr.. Taft realized the imposs-
bility OF harmonizing these differences. but
in every instance he was able to bring to-
gether the conflicting. elements, and line
them up solidiy. and enthusiastically for
the national ticket
VIII stay on Road.
Probably the largest average crowds OF
the trip were encountered in Kansas, but in
every state visited the size and temper
Of those who gathered at the railway sta
tions TO see and cheer the republican nomi-
nee was a revelation to the local COM
mittees. This is Mr., Taft's first expert
ence Of a political campaigner and his sue
cess has been so pronounced that he de-
slres TO stay on the road every day until
election. Accordingly. when he reaches
Chicago. he will urge Chairman Hitchcock
and Senator Dixon TO make UP an itinerary
that win occupy every day for the next
four weeks No member of the party is
better traveller than Mr.. Taft himself. He
hasn't rlissoda a meal sinee leaving Ctncin-
natl and though MS hours have been long,
and his work arduous, he has rested well
ana apparently is as Vigorous as when he
started He has enjoyed getting acquainted
with the people and learning their point OF
view OF public question: The fact is Mr..
Taft is convinced that he will be elected
president, and as he has said more than
once he desires to know the temper of the
people respecting the great economic prob
lens which are to come before congress
during his administration.
It Is Mr.. Tatt's wish TO go south on his
next trip. He has visions of Kentucky
Tenhessee, North Carolina and even Geor-
gia being carried by the republicans this
year He will urge the campaign managers
to include these states in his itinerary. In
the two weeks OF his tour Mr.. Taft has
made $50 speeches. His voice, which gave
him considerable trouble for the first few
days, has improved with practice, and is
now In good condition.
Judge Taft's St. Louis reception was a
fitting climax OF HIS tour for he had record
crowds. He struck this city on the day OF
the festival OF the veiled prophet, and
found more than 100000 people here. In
cludiug visitors from all the adjoining
states There was a reception committee OF
800 first voters at the railway station, and
the streets-were blocked with cheering Taft
enthusiasts 1t was a fitting climax Of a
wonderful trip. ard corroborates Mr.. Taft's
belief that Missouri may cease being "a
stranger in republican family OF states"
lhree Speeches In ST. Louis.
The oandidate spoke 20 an immense
audience In the nearly finished Coliseum,
from which as many were turned away
as got In. He followed this with an open
air address at Clayton, a suburb and
county seat OF ST. Louis county, and then
rushed to East ~. Louis. where he ad-
the stock yards The local afternoon
papers estimated that fully 5000 strangers
came TO the city Just to say "Iello Bill
TO the ohioan. Certain 1t was that
wherever he went or stayed. Judge Taft
the center OF immense crowds. The
line of march from the station to the
Planters hotel was through two crowds OF
people, who blocked either side OF the
streets. The local reception committee OF
400 IN white caps and badges, headed by a
detail OF mOunt-d police and a band,
preceded the carriage Of the candidate He
was compelled to stand with his hat in
his hand the entire distance Of more than
a mile. acknowledging the saIutatons of
his admirers.
Great Crush at Hotel,
The plans for an orderly reception to the
public at the Planters hotel were upset
by the crush OF men and women who
swept aside the guards at the door and
pushed their way into the lobby and up
the big staircase. Taft was to have stood
at the head OF the stairs and received in
single file those who wished to shake his
hand. But as soon he stepped into the
corridor he was beset by the throng and
despite his weight and the effort OF his
personal assistants he Was swept down the
CORRIDOR hundred feet. 1t was seen al
ones that nothing could be done with the
crowd and passaEeway was cleared foI
the canoidate to get away on the first
landing he said with a smilei
"An remember mythology, there was J
gentleman named Briarieus who had 10
hands ! wish l had them all for ml
friends. the people OF 81. Louis"
Once In his room. Mr.. Taft was Furnished
with two pitchers OF milk and allowed Il
rest He was next escorted TO the Coliseum
by committee in long line OF carriages
speech In Coliseum.
The speech he delivered there was com
prehsnsivs. but the position OF the candt