Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-30
TAFT CLEARS DESK
Secretary Prepares to Turn Office Over
to Successor.
MEETS OHIO DELEGATION
1t Urges vorys for Manager Of
National Campaign.
NO DIRECT ANSWER GIVEN
Mr.. vorys is Asked to Come to Wash
ington Wednesday.
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY TAFT
Appointment of Chairman VIII BE
Determined at Meeting of Sub
Committee Mt Hot Springs,
Va, July 3.
Mr.. vorys is Asked to Come to Wash
ington Wednesday.
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY TAFT

WASHINGTON, June 2e-secretary Taft |
today successfully combined his otticlai
duties with politics His diversified abl- |
ties never had a better illustration than
they had from II o'clock this morning to
O'Clock tonight. At intervals during that
period he discussed the most intricate ques-
tions arising in the department and matters
concerning tho campaign.
The most important event Of the day in
genuine interest was that which he had
this afternoon with a delegation represent
ing the political organization of the republi-
can party in Ohio Walter Brown. chair
man Of the republican state central com
mittee: Henry williams chairman OF the
republican state executive committee and
n w. GuHbert state auditor, came to
Washington TO urge Secretary Tart taVor-
ably to consider Arthur !. Vorys I'm the Sc
lection OF national chairman. They dis
cussed the matter with Secretary TAFT at
considerable length. indicating to him that
the appointment Of Mr.. Vorys meant much
TO the republican organization in Ohio.
They expressed apprehension that the Sc
lection Of Mr.. Hitchcock, for instance. or
almost anybody elise than Mr.. Vcrys might
tend to disrupt the organization In Ohio,
which had largely been built by Mr.. Vorys.
At the conclusion of the conference. al
though Secretary Taft did not indicate to
the delegation what his intentions were he
authorized the members to telegraph to
Mr. vorys requesting him to come to Wash
ington and meet him on next Wednesday.
VIII Talk Politics.
Secretary Taft when asked this evening
what likely might be the nature Of this
conference with Mr.. Vorys replied laugh
ingIy: We'll, 1 fancy we shall talk some
politics, even though the weather be hot
when will you see Mr.. Hitchcock the
secretary was asked.
''I understand" he replied that Mr..
Hitchcock is in the city, but I have not
seen him, and shall not see him until l
am a private citizen. Tomorrow / shall be
40 deeply enErossed with the departmental
matters which am trying to clear up for
nv successor. Governor Wright, that l
shall have little time TO devote TO personal
or political matters"
Then. turning TO Governor Wright, Score
tary Taft said smlingly: They call Gov
ernor Wright general, but that is merely
a polite title. He Is really governor, and
after next Wednesday generals will bow to
him. On Wednesday morning / have d.
rected that all the bureau and division
chiefs OF the War department shall meet
here 10 greet the new secretary OF war.
The army officers will be expected TO
appear in full uniform. That direction has
ingly, "in order that may make myself
solid with the gnilitary vote"
Unique Postal Gard.
Secretary Taft was greatly interested this
afternoon by a mammoth postal card
which he received through the mail II
was delivered at his office by a special
delivery messenger at o'clock. The card
which was three feet six inches long and
eighteen inches wide bore on the reverse
side a fine Photographic likeness of Secre
tafy Taft as he was about to enter the
Baltimore & Ohio car at the Union station
IN Washington on which he made the triI
to Cincinnati on June 10. Immediately be
hind the secretary stood the negro porter
looking over his shoulder On the obvers'
side OF the card was a true representation
OF a United States post card. The stamI
WAs a cartoon OF Secretary Taft. beauti
fully drawn by Mr.. Barclay OF the Balti
more Sun. on each side OF the secretary
Mksness were cherubim, representing Tsf
and Sherman holding aloft electric globes
on the stamp we're the words: United
States Taftica." Underneath the lkenes
OF the secretary was the word. Taft
followed by "Pustise. One Sent" The car
went through the regular channels OF tn
washington postoffice and bore 4s cents
postage.
Charles p. Taft OF Cincinnati. the secre
tarys brother, who arrived yesterday, ha
been In conference with the war secretar
most OF the time today. He left tonigh
for his home.
Nam ON ChRirmanshtp.
Frank II. Hitchcock, Secretary Taft
Washington manager, arrived here toda
from Chicago and will be engaged for seN
oral days in the work Of closing up III
TAFT headquarters In this city.
Mr. Hitchcock declined to discuss fC
publication the national ehairmanship aue'
ton IN any way. He said that he eXpecte
10 have a conference with Secretary Ia
In day or two, but pending that inte
View he could say nothing.
Every effort was made today to lear
something definite respecting the choice
national chairman, but Secretary ia
himself this afternoon said:
mo announcement concerning the M
tional chairmanship will be made until
have conferred further with the subcon
rnttee Of the national committee. That col
ference will be held at Hot Springs. Mr.
Tart has informed ME that she will
ready TO leave Washington for Hot sprinI
next Friday shall therefore notify Il
members OF the subcommittee to meet the
on July s. The Craftsmanship matter W
be determined then and not before then,
General wright on Hand.
General Wright, who arrived from Ne
York last night, appeared at the War d
partmeht shortly after 10 o'clock todl
and had conferences with General
Franklin Bell. chief OF staff. and Gener
Clarence r. Edwards, chief OF the bures
At insular affairs.
u understand" said General Wrigt
that this position OF Secretary Of War
something Of a JOB and propose to try
familarizs myself with its details. Do n
expect 10 take a vacation in the ordina
sense OF the terms, but will remain rig
here during the greater part OF the sur
mer. Mrs. Wright will remain at Memph
for a few weeks and then will so to q
home OF our daughter up IN New Yo
AtAtA I may 1nan hsF for a brief period
e.