New-York tribune., 1908-11-15
MISS T4FT.
Date of Her Introduction to Society
Not Yet Set.

IFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Nov l4.-One Of the most inter
esting features OF President Tafts first winter
season in the White House may be the presenta-
ton to society Of his only daughter, Miss Helen
Taft. who will carry into the Executive Mansion
with her an euviabIe reputation for study,
travel and general accomplishments. She has
been around the world. has scholarships
and is noted among her friends for her native
wit sense of humor, generous and Womanly dis
position and for being born diplomat and poll
tician
Just now Miss Taft is engaged in an effort to
acuuit herself with distinction in her first col
Iege year. She won the $500 scholarship prize
in the preparatory school for Bryn MaWr Col
lege, passed a highly credtable matriculation
examination, and in the excitement preceding
her fathers election for the Presidency, kept
UP her high standard Of school work
VIII not Miss Taft come out Of college In
time to attend the inaugural ball?' was asked
Of Mrs. Taft few days ago. "Oh. yes she
responded. but she will go right back again as
soon as the ceremonies are over"
This leaves a little doubt whether Miss Tart
will be presented 10 society formally the first
winter o. her fathers administration 1t is
likely that she Will, however. for with well
trained mind for study, little social diversion
viii scarcely interrupt her serious work in NE
Miss Taft is as fond of meeting and knowing
people as is her mother. who will carry into the
White House q reputation for general hthess
for III her responsibilities.
When Mrs. Taft said few days ago that the
greatest aid a woman could give her husband
in his public career was in looking after his So
cial life. she spoke also for her daughter. Miss
Taft has been educated with the idea not Of
being q social butterfly. but of carrying out at
all times a graceful hospitality in her father
home.
Miss Taft dances we'll and rides with case and
grace though she is not inordinately fond OF
horses She plays tennis Wei She belonged
to a set Of girls, when a student at the came
draI School who spent most of their spare time
when in town playing tennis with MISS hoose-
welt on the Presidents court Another accom-
plishment TO which Miss Taft may lay claim
is her knowledge of Spanish, which she speaks
fuentlv having learned it while with her par
ents in the Philippines. She also speaks French
and writes with facility.
People about Murray Bay, where ever since
Miss Taft born her parents have made
their summer home. can attest her skill in row.
ing swimming, fishing and other aquatic Sports
Since her first baby days she toddled after her
brother Robert, who was then little more than
q baby himself and. clad in an attire similar TO
his she We'd with him in all boyish sport
Taft in connection with her children is that not
one of them inherits her love Of music They
all studv music. because It is one Of the things
which they really must do. but they have not
hrs Taft's talent nor her devotion to the art
Miss Taft is, however, more than an ordinaf1ly
good performer on the piano.
Mrs Taft has always made a companion Of
her daughter. and even in the little girl DAYS OF
Miss Helen they talked together. walked TO-
gether drove together. studied together, and
IN fat spent their days together. until the
President called Nj Taft TO Washington 10 be
come the Secretary OF War Then the compan-
ionship was broken up by Miss Taft being sent
as a boarder to the Cathedral School gust OUT
side of Washington.
Mrs Taft while non-comuittal on the subject
Of Miss Taft's debut said With some warmth
Of admiration q few days ago: Il am selllSh
enough TO want and positively need. her assist
ance in my larger social obligations" This vas
q +ribute 10 the interest Miss Taft has always
taken in the social life Of her parents. She has
assisted her mother in preparing for company.
has taken care of herself and Of Charley thus
relieving Mrs. Taft Of worry, ana when it comes
to the broader social Iife-that of being assist
ant 10 the first lady of the land-she vii! not be
found wanting.
Miss Taft is domestic. She can cook more than
17assably we'll. She does not hesitate to launder
q bit OF lace or a handkerchief-one Of those
cobEebby affairs Of which she brought dozens
from the Philippines and China-and she can
mend and sew as we'll can her mother. When
at home she always looks after the care Of her
own and the boys clothes, Miss Taft. like her
mother, never had a maid-not since her baby
days-and yet she is Of the best put up
young women at Bryn Mawr. She likes dainty
things for evening wear. but runs 10 the Sc
verely plain effects for school and street
With the exception Of her appearance at the
inaugural ball and attendant ceremonies. and
perhaps a run over 10 Washington in Christ
mas week for Miss RooseveIt's debut ball. she
will take little or no part in social life until
formally uEhered into the fashionable world.
Miss Taft will not have frequent peeps into the
CAV social whirl, as has Miss Roosevelt, pre-
yioux 10 her debut, and the greater part Of
Washington society will experience a genuine
curiosity 10 see her when she is presented
In personal appearance and in disposition Miss
Taft is like the President-eIect She is a little
short Of six feet tall. straight as an arrow, has
a good figure. carries herself with an easy con
fidence has hair of lively brown tone. soft and
plentiful, q clear complexion, dark eyes and
well poised head. She is not ravishingly beauti-
full but when she smiles and her round cheeks
break into dimples-the deepest one is in her
chin-there Is something about her face which is
irresistibly winning.