New-York tribune., 1908-07-04
TAFTS At HOT SPRINGS
ro SPEND SUMNER THERE
Er-Secretay Holds Conferences
BEFORE LedUing Washington.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

70 rot expecting TO return until after the No
- election. He was accompanied by Mrs
80 their son Charles Manrico Lopez Luna,
-. rttIe Filipino who has served Mr.. Taft al
g from the time he first went TO the Philip
-. and g maid. In the special which was
.-.cbad to the end OF the long Chesapeake &
at,o -rair for the Taft party were National
r-a---,i-reeu1an Frank B. Kellogg, of Minnesota.
- william Nelson Cromwell, of New York. be-
,see nearly a dozen newspaper correspondents,
,,s+ of whom viii remain at Hot Springs until
H. Repubcan candidate starts for Cincinnati
or September l.
n, The platform when the train pulled out
-,sra Lieutenant General Henry c. Corbin and
Ms Corbin, General and Mrs. j. Franklin Bell,
General Clarence r Edwards. Secretary Wright.
Assistant Secretary Oliver. Assistant Postmaster
csraraI Iawshe and Chief Clerk Schofeld of the
Wsr Department Mr.. Taft was the last TO
hoard the train having got off Just before start
ing tine 10 look for Mrs. Taft's maid, who had
disappeared Frank b Kellogg ran down the
ulatforna, making anxious inquiries. and learned
that she had entered one of the front coaches
and was vending her way down the aises Of
nearly a dozen cars. trying 10 find the Taft
Marty Master Charles Taft stood the rear
nlstfo-rn with a n1egaphone until the end car
rlunged into the tunnel. and he called back
10 his fathers friends and admirers he seemed
70
The conferences, which consumed half of Mr.
Tafts day before his departure. were the most
important he had held since his return from
oyster Bay and New Haven. Postmaster Cen
eral Meyer and National Committeeman Frank
& Kellogg and William L Ward were received
together by Mr.. Taft az his home. and soon
after their departure Senator Dick, Of Ohio.
called 20 pay his respects and pledge his sup
port. AS q result Of the days conferences il
was said positively that final decision has
been reached regarding the craftsmanship Mr..
Kellogg has in the last week been seriously
considered for the place. but he favors the Sc
lection Of Frank H Hitchcock One of the i'm
portant developments OF the day was the dec
laration that Mr. Ward now has no objection
10 the choice of Mr.. Hitchcock. While not X
actiy opposed 10 the latter's selection. Mr.. Ward
was understood TO have previously favored
choosing some older man of national proni-
nence. Mr.. Ward spoke to-day in high terms
Of Mr.. Hitchcock, saying he had opportu-
nity 70 observe his work at national head
quarters four years ago.
While much has been said about the chairman
ship Mr. Taft has not discussed this 70 the
clusion Il other political matters in the confer
ences Of the last week He has gone over the
general political situation. the management Of
the campaign, the question of headquarters, the
personnel OF the executive committee OF nine
members and the national treasurership- One of
The men who saw Mr.. Taft to-day said that sew
eral selections have been made for the execu-
tive committee but he was not at liberty TO dis
close their names. Mr.. Kellogg will remain at
Hot Springs until the subcommittee meets on
July 5 Last night he thought he might remain
only TWO GAYS and then go back for the COM
nittee meeting To-day he was asked by Mr..
Taft 10 remain over until next Wednesday. that
h might have his advice in the mean time Mr..
Ward returned 10 New York at 1 o'clock
Charlottesville. Va. July ST have thought
Of il Just enough To worry because have not
thought OF IL" said Mr.. Taft, laughingly. re-
plying 70 2 question as to whether he had con-
sidered what he would say in his speech Of ac-
ceptance Of the Republican nomination for the
Presidency. shortly after he left Washington
this evening He recalled that there would be
Just twenty days between the meeting of the
executive committee Of the Republican National
COMMITTEES and his notification Of the action of
The convention in Cincinnati the 18th, and
shook his head at the idea Of the work before
him.
Nr Taft had long conference with Frank
3 Kellogg who accompanied him the train,
and shorter talk with William Nelson Crom-
vel, who left the train at Alexandria
Clifton Forge. Va. July 3.-The first speech Of
the campaign was made at Staunton tonight
ny Mr.. Taft. who was met there on his way TO
Hot Springs by about a thousand persons
M Taft was in the dining car when the train
reached staunton. but in response to continued
cheering he appeared on the rear platform :.
Brown Allen United States Marshal and dele
gate-at-large from Virginia 10 the Republican
National Convention. introduced Mr.. Taft, say
ing the people of Staunton wanted him TO say
something 70 them.
4 didn't expect 10 make speech said Mr-
Taft. i only desire TO express my sense Of
appreciation Of Virginia hospitality am going
up into your mountains TO spend two months
I want 10 climb your mountains, but am not
sure I can do it without a horse. This gather
ing is an evidence TO ne that my coming is not
urvelc0ue'
8Ir. Taft was interrupted by series Of hur-
rars and when he could be heard continued:
i an greatly indebted to you for this "a
dance of hospitality. but I am responsible now
70 ny party for what say. am responsible to
great party
What's the matter with the Republican
party" called out one man.
The Republican party is all right declared
M Taft I hope Virginia viii give the party
its electoral vote this time"
You don't need Virginia" some one in the
crowd called
But I want it retorted M. Taft. Il want
the vote Of this state. II break up the
Solid South We shall be doing great good for
this country. ] have nothing in the way of poll
tics &c talk about TO you, although you have
dragged me a little way into political lines,
but wish TO show my great pleasure in having
this cordial reception. am coming here TO en-
JOY the good Virginia air
There was general demand for handshake-