The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Secretary Taft Has Fine Time At
 Chicago Banqusts
FOUR SPEECHES, FOUR MEALS
Remarkable Vitality of Presidential Candidate Is Shown In Manner In Which He Accepts Strenu-
 ous Situation.

Chicago, April 4-(special l-s Secretary Taft's second strenuous day in Chicago ended with a brilliant banquet given in his honor at the Congress hotel by the Commercial club
 The second day was even more trying on the secretary than the first. for he made four speeches and attended four repasts.
 The secretary's marvellous vitality as a campaigner was wildly revealed by his visit to Chicago and his admirers predict that when he Is nominated-and they take his nomination as a matter of course, and not to be doubted-he will make a whirlwind campaign that will eclipse the presidential canvass of his strenuous chief
 When MT. Taft breakfasted at the Au- ditorium Annex he astonished the waiter by ordering an extra large sirloin steak, potatoes, hot rolls. eggs, toast, coffee and strawberries. In view of the fact that he had four repasts ahead of him this was making a pretty good start.
 Secretary Taft said he had enjoyed himself more in 20 minutes at the lunch con given in his honor by the Press club of Chicago at the Congress hotel than he had in the previous three months In that time an orchestral composition named the William Howard Taft March had been played for the first time in public a limerick, prepared especially for the occasion, had been liberated and 750 diners had shouted themselves hoarse
 Pretty Little Limerick.
 The limerick as presented by John L., Higinbotham, one of two press club mem bers who gave speeches carefully expur- gated of politics, ran:
 At our bigness the Japanese laughed Till we gave them a sight of Bill Taft Now they shout themselves hoarse Where'er they so.
 And kow tow as If they were daft"
 President Little introducing the speak CTS told of the tremendously difficult time he had had in chasing politics out of the speeches by MT. Higinbotham and MT. Moody.
 q had to deodorize, dsnfect and beat their manuscripts with 6 club" he ex- plained deferentially to Secretary Taft. ''Mr. Higinbotham kindly stood for my suggestions with one exception he said he would be switched if he'd shave off his whiskers, even if they did look like those of MT. Hughes"
 After MT. Higinbotham and Walter D. Moody of the Chicago Association of Commerce, had spoken briefly, the Sec retary was introduced amid scenes of tumultuous enthusiasm.
 q have enjoyed myself so much during the last 20 minutes that the thought of getting up and saying something myself comes over me like a cold douche,' he laughed. exhibiting a splendid specimen of the Taft smile q was once a reporter myself I never reached the journalist stage. It was when l started out to study law. I did court reporting for the old Cincinnati Times during the day. Since then I've always dealt easily with re- porters who msquote me.
 Story of Scoop.
 q thought once I had pulled off a big story. We used the biggest headlines we had in those days. The next morning I was summoned into court for contempt. had reversed the decision exactly.
 Tt is now my duty when in Washing ton to hold two receptions daily for the correspondents. With reference to their cross examinations l am gradually becom- ing bullet proof. Not that have learned to lie but I am learning to make an swer in such a way that the truth or nom truth of the matter cannot be successful ly investigated"
 MT. Taft was given a double ovation when he went to the Great Northern ho- tel for the luncheon of the Irish Eel 1owship club at 2 o'clocls. His appear ance there had been anticipated by hun dreds of men and women who had crowd ed the floor below and waited for an hour for chance to get glimpse of the presidential candidate. As MT. Taft ap- peared they burst into cheers: the aeolian and band started on rival tones and the object of 1t all had difficulty in hearing himself think.
 It took only minute to reach the dining room and there tho enthusiasm broke out again. Mr. Taft went directly to the speakers table and as he was introduced by the toastmaster the diners jumped to their feet and gave a Chautau- qua salute. every one waving his napkin vigorously and cheering at the top Of his voice.