Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-03-19
BY Walter WelIman.

sion OF the personality and fitness OF
the various aspirants for the presi-
dency, and especially so much talk
of the individuality and ability of
Secretary Taft, it is interesting to
know the opinion of Taft held by
one of the men who knew him best, |
who has worked for years side by
side with him and whose judgment
may be accepted by every one as ma
ture, ell-grounded and valuable.
Not many years go group of the
presidents friends were gathered at
the White House. Discussions arose
of the abilities and fitness for presi-
Dental honor of all the men now
prominent before the public in that
connection. Various opinions were
expressed by the visitors and finally
President Roosevelt took a hand. He
praised most of the presidential aspi-
rants on the republican side-Knox,
Cannon, Fairbanks, La Follette-and
even spoke pleasantly and fairly of
Foraker. When he came to Taft his
expression, both rhetorical and facial,
was characteristically Rooseyeltian.
Considered from the standpoint
OF purely intellectual equipment"
said the president, "Elihu Root is un-
doubtedly the greatest man we have
in public life today. But for all
round strength, for ability to deal
with men as well as with questions,
| as worker and result-getter, Will
liam H. Taft is the biggest going
concern in the country
The president went on to speak of
Taft's happy temperament, of his re-
markable ability to deal happily with
men, of his love for consultation. of
his patience in threshing out differ
ences of opinion, of his wholesome
good humor, of his extraordinary ia
cility for getting at the heart and
justice of any complex problem. O.
his fine legal and judicial training, O
his vast experience in both nationa
and international affairs, of his well
nigh perfect equipment of the diff
cult role of president of the United
States. 1t was such an appreciation
coming from Theodore Roosevelt, a.
would have made the ears of tn,
modest Mr.. Taft-"the fine big boy
man in public life''-burn not a lit
tie had he heard it.
Mr.. Rooo tetashrdlutmah mtham:
During this same conversation
Mr.. Roosevelt spoke of his own ex
perience in the White House. H,
spoke with great modesty, with fin,
dignity, without the slightest affecta
ton, as simply man might tall
of his term of service as county clerl
or the cashier of bank He sait
the men who think the presidency al
easy place to fill ought to have {
chance to try it. Then they would
find out how greatly they had beer
mistaken. 'It is the hardest job OF
earth" said Mr.. Roosevelt. But h,
added that he was himself not the
least tired, nor bit fatigued, ant
was, in fact, just as fresh as the day
he began his service.
Mr.. Roosevelt retains his strength
because he refuses to worry, becaus,
he has mastered the job and because
more particularly he has learned how
to avoid burdening himself with de
tails. For example, if any one want:
to do business about public lands, hi
must go to Garfield; about Indians
to Leupp; about consuls, to Root o,
Bacon. and so on. When he frs
came to the white House Mr.. Roose
welt tried to run the whole govern
ment; he took on himself details an(
work and worry which he had NJ
need to take. Now he throws al
these things off on his assistants ant
goes out for drive or walk. Tn,
result is, today he is as fresh ant
clear-eyed and strong and active Al
any prime young athlete in the land
In talking about Taft he laid stress
upon one point, the presidency is to-
Dig job to be successfully handled
by man who does not know how t,
get along wen with men, to worl
comfortably with them, to get GU
OF them the best there is in them
For his own success the presiden
modestly gives much of the credi
to his associates and subordinates
and he points out that the Whit,
House is no place for a man who i.
not fond of consultation, of confer
ences, of talking things over, ant
who likes to bury himself at his desk
studying everything out alone ant
single handed trying to be wis,