The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-28
SECRETARY TAFT
 APPEARS IN HOUSE Mir. Taft Speaks Briefly Upon
 Oriental Affairs
EXPOSITION IS FAVORED
Japanese Are Expected To Take Prom inent Part In Seattle Exposition, and Will Also Have One of
 Their Own In 1912.

Washington. January 27-The appear ance of Secretary Taft before the House committee on industrial arts and expo sitions today to speak upon an appropria- tion for the Seattle exposition in 1909 was the signal for demonstration in his hon. or. The proceedings were interrupted when he entered the room by hand-clap- ping and humping on the tables.
 The congressional delegations from business men and officials from that state also pleaded for an appropriation for the exposition.
 Secretary Taft thought that on account of the Philippine finances the government would not be able to make any money contribution of considerable size, but he said the war department had a contract by which it could have the Jamestown Philippine exhibit sent to Seattle.
 In an indirect way Secretary Taft touched upon the relations between Japan and the United States. The exposition at Seattle he thought, would have a great effect all over the Pacific.
 There are critical developments he declared, Fin the matter of fixing the at tention of Orientals in this country but nothing will bring to the attention of the Orientals so much the interest of this country in them and their interest in us for trade than an exposition like this.'
 He referred to the proposed exhibition in Japan in 1912 and said the Japanese expect to make 1t one of the greatest in the world, and he added: q hope it will succeed"
 The Japanese, he said, were anxious that the United States shall be prominent at the exposition. The invitation had been accepted.
 ''I think the exposition will have an ex- cellent effect,'' said MT. Taft Tt will bring the countries on both sides of the Pacific together in a way probably that could not be accomplished in any other way"
 In answer to a question by MT. Miller, Kansas, MT. Taft declared that it was more important for the United States to have expositons in the west than the east because they have direct bearing on our Oriental trade that will afford substantial contribution to our progress in that direc- ton. In his judgment the next fifty years will see the greatest development in the world on the Pacific, and he said: "It seems to me we ought to be in it.' After icdNiHS lHe CO1i1Inlllct IOOHl MT. l alt fls- ited MT. Payne of New York, republican floor manager of the House in the ways and means committee room, and secured the privilege of the floor for the two Phil ippine commissioners, Benito Legarda and Pablo Ocampo, in order that they might be formally welcomed by the House.
 Before he left the capitol the secretary was asked if he meant to wait and meet MT. Bryan.
 q don't expect to-" he said. 'I did not even know he was to be at the capitol to- day"
 Asked if he had any comment or state ment to make respecting the presidential situation, MT. Taft Sreplied: q haven't made any statement yet"
 When will you be ready to?''
 Smiling, he answered emphaticaly: "Neverr'
 Secretary Taft hastened from the cap itol to the White House, where he was due at 12:30 to present the Philippine com missioners to the president.