New-York tribune., 1908-06-28
TAFT AUTO BEATS TRAIN.
Runs from Oyster Bay TO Esd Street
Ferru an Fast Time.

sf,e- an excstsne automobile ride from Oyster
fsav TO catch an early train for Washington, Sec
retary Taft left Jersey City over the Pennsylvania
at 526 o'clock last night The trip to Long lsiand
CITY was made in hour, the Secretary reaching
there at sz5 O'Clock, ahead Of the 2ao train Which
he was to have taken and which left oyster bay
five minutes before he did
Had not been for the failure OF message
from SECRETARY Loeb TO reach j. T Nllllars, a
member Of the Secrets-y's political stan. VINO Was
in this city, Secretary Taft would have been abe
10 catch the Washington Express, leaving Jersey
CITY at 4:4s O'clock. This would have brought MIN
INTO WASHINGTON at 1870 O'Clock The train he
took later was not due in Washington until lo;s5
O'Clock Nj Williams, who had arranged for he
transfer Of Secretary Taft's baggage from the
Hotel Manhattan and had purchased the tickets
for the party. expected that the Secretary Tould
arrive in Long Island City on the train from
Oyster Bay at o'clock, He had carriage wait
ing for the Secretary 34th street ferry, and
took boat for Long Island City 10 meet the train
This boat and TIE one which carried the Secretary
raised n nlldstIeana-
Nr Williams waited few minutes the othe-
side then. learning by accident that the SecTe
Iary had gone through IN an automobile, mace 2
dash for the ferry house, and caught the boat he
had gone over in on its way back 10 Manhattan
Meanwhile Secretary Taft, supposing that his
change in plans had reached Mr.. Williams was
wondering where the conductor Of the party was
He crossed towp in The automobile directly the
go street ferry where he waited until telephone
message arrived from aIr. Williams, saying he was
coming across the city in q carriage.
The entire trip OF the Taft automobile from
Oyster Bay TO the 23d street ferry was made IN an
hour and half. The presence OF Secretary Tart
ar the entrance to the go street ferry house was
not noticed at first but Just before the arrival OF
Rr Williams q crowd began to collect around the
machine and kept the Secretary busy answering
cheers snd writing his autograph
The entire party got together in time TO take me
& q boat for Jersey City. General Clarence r. Ed
wards chief Of the bureau Of insular affairs IN the
War Department, who came up from washington
20 meet the Secretary Friday, returned with
him. The party on the upper deck OF the boat
Chicago and soon the Secretary was the centre
Of an sdr1iring throng. 1t is plain that unless
Secretary Taft checks the Impulses OF his generous
nature he viii soon be doing nothing except writ
ing his response TO the opportunities OF the
autograph collecting hend- Personal calling caros'
letters small scraps OF paper envelopes, and even
newspapers were produced by one after another OF
the passengers with the request that the Secretary
write his name thereon he beamed genially at
each request. and his pencil was busy all the way
across the rizeT.
One woman Of middle age brought up man who
was evidently her husband and introduced him as
well as herself to the Secretary. This mans
Democrat" she said to the Secretary, but he's
not going 10 that Denver ticket this year.
There's another for you. Dir. Secretary"
said one man he backed away after getting the
autograph he coveted. He seemed bubbling over
with enthusiasm for Mr.. Taft, apparently having
been by the approachability and geniality Of
the candidate
L suppose you think it valuable" said the Sec
retsry q young he wrote his name,
but can assure you il good q note
"Whaf, You IN this business. too?" was the BEAM
ing comment of the candidate TO q boy of ten who
up alone and got the coveted signature q
small card.
The Secretary passed through the station TO the
train rapidly that his presence not known.
He efnphatcaIy denied a story that he to
buy 6 home Oyster Bay. Il have no
thought OF such a thing" he said - leave the
War Department the end Of this month and to
Hot Springs Va, with my family There ] shall
play golf ride horseback and hope TO have a gen.
eral good time. I shall so TO Washington July
10 meet the subcommittee Of the national
mittee, and after have had a conference I
shall return TO Hot Springs
Asked whether the subject of the national
craftsmanship had been discussed at Sycamore Hill
Secretary Taft replied with smile: 1T seems
me leard echoes OF something of that SORT.
Secretary Taft said that the main object of his
visit 70 talk over the problems Of the War
Department with his successor and the President.
We talked of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
pines" he said Three men have been selected
for the vacancies in the Philippine Commission.