The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-02
People Who Know President
Elect Intimately, Say He
Means to Visit the Panama
Canal Annually.
WILL PREVENT GRAFT
IN THE DITCH WORK
Next President Believes in
Getting at the Bottom Of
All Problems by Personal
Observation.
BY Sheldon S. Cline.

Washington, Jan. a-Mr. Taft's
avowal that he will visit the Panama
canal once every year during the four
years of his administration is not sur
prising to those who are acquainted
with the intimate side of the presi-
character. They are con-
WINGED that Mr.. Taft. barring unfor-
seen accidents. not only will 60 but
he also will see that the job on the
big ditch is conducted properly and
with total absence of that bugbear
of all contracts involving considerable
money spending-graft. Herein lies
the obligation that Mr.. Taft once said
would be the biggest proposition his
administration would be called upon
to handle. To satisfy congress and
the American people that the canal
work is being prosecuted honestly and
vigorously. to get an assurance that
the canal will be opened to the worlds
commerce by the promised time-1915
and to gather such data as will en-
able him to answer canal critics. in
and out of congress. are the primary
reasons of the president-elect In p,edg-
ing himself to take these proposed
annual journeys to the lsthmus.
His Simple Duty.
In adopting this rather unusual
method of getting at the bottom of
things" to quote Mr.. Taft's own lam
guage, the president-elect is following
a course which he conceives to be his
simple duty. He did things after this
close-range method in the handling
of Philippine problems when he was
secretary of war. In fact, he has fol-
lowed this conscientious. pains-taking
method of doing business all his life;
and 1t has on occasions operated to
his personal disadvantage. His. close
friends here remember how. after he
had returned to Washington following
his last visit to the Philippines to
straighten some administrative tangle
there. his observance of what he con.
sidered his strict duty was then
thought to be an obstacle to his presi
dental chances.
Self Interest Forgotten.
When he arrived in Washington he
Immediately plunged into the prepa
ration of his report on Philippine con
ditions.
Drop that and get out and make
some speeches. SO the people can see
you," advised his political friends.
Not until have fulfilled my duty
as secretary of war. The people are
more concerned in my doing that than
in hearing any speeches from me.
replied Mr.. Taft.
Disregarding th1 pleaNsngs of his
friends, Mr.. Taft stuck to the task OF
completing his Philippine report. q
document that was probably unready
save by few persons in the govern
ment whose duty SO required them
He labored many night at his dect
in the war department long after ev
cry one except himself and his sec
rotary had gone. and he didn't venture
into the campaign fight until the re
port was edited. revised and in the
hands Of the printer.
To Panama, Jan. IS.
When Mr.. Taft departs for the 18th
mus on January % next. he will bs
undertaking journey that is not Will
out its hazards for him. In fact. i
, was the possibility of illness or inju