Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-02-23
KNOCKERS HAVE
FUN WITH TAFT.
PREslDENT-ELEcT lHlTlATED BY
CINCINNATI CLUB.
KAISER SENDS A MESSAGE
Phrenolosist Reads His Bumps and
Finds Many Interesting Things
HAS Conference with
Charles NaqeI.

Cincinnati, Feb 2O.-President-elect
William H. Taft was last night made
a Knocker "at sight" His initiation
furnished entertainment for 100 prom
inent business and professional men
of the city, at the Knockers annual
dinner.
Cincinnati's Knockers organization
is an auxiliary Of it's business mems
club. Its particular business is to
knock hard and effectively everything
tending to hinder the material ad-
yancement of the city and to originate.
and promote enterprises and under
takings for the city's welfare.
Not Allowed to Speak.
The president-elect was not allowed
to make a speech, which was inter-
preted as delicate compliment from
his townSmen, who We're in fact say
ing farewell to him as a private citi-
zen AS the guest of honor at the din
ner, it was his first escape from ora
tory for 20 years. The tension upon
Mr.. Taft was made even lighter than
freedom from speaking, as skillfully
made-up double" represented him in
the entertainment features, occupying
q conspicuous place at the raised table
with Uncle Sam" and Miss Column
bia"
Emperor Williams wireless message
was announced to Mr.. Taft as a kiss
for each cheek and the hope that the
senate would not find it necessary to
reduce the presidential salary before
the new president could get in. Miss
Columbia got one of the kisses from
the enthusiastic German.
An Irish cook direct from the pal
ace of King Edward was England's
tribute, but the cook at once began
to make terms Little Charlie" must
not be boss of the White House, and
Charlie P" must not live with his
brother, were assured her before she
would remain.
Any one of his 81 varieties of wives
was offered Mr.. Taft by the represen
tative of the sultan, but Uncle San
would have none OF this, rejecting the
offer with the assertion that zone
wife is enough to keep man poor"
Phrenologist Fingers Uranium.
With hands upon Mr.. Taft's Uranium
Persia's representative told the as
sembled Knockers of the thoughts
. passing through his brain as follows
He is just now congratulating him
self that he was made Mason a
/ sight-and SO is the goat.
-"He is now trying to discover some
word to use instead of 'de-eh-lighted.
"He is wondering whether the In
/. visible Knox who bosses this buncf
can possibly be the ubiquitous senator
from Pennsylvania.
"He wishes he could find cadd,
who wouldn't laugh when he makes ;
drive.
HE is now recalling the days whel
he played the Sleeping Beauty a
Pixies opera house and was kisse
by the Prince Charming'-it was hi
first kiss-and then he acquired tn
habit of displaying his pearly teet
a in seraphic smile.
n "He wonders whether union cal
met maker ought to work over eigh
r hours day.
!. He wishes the cabinet would lie
, him write part of that message to col
r gress.
e He wonders whether if the FIJI
II pinos had been cannibals he woul
k have penetrated their interior.
e "He resolves in the. tariff war t
e. lead the charge up to the very cal
Il mons mouth"
/, During the day Mr.. Taft made a
d address before the chamber of con
5 merce, on the floor of the stock e!
e change.
/. Charles Nagel of st. Louis, who
, understood to be slated for secretar
g of commerce and labor in the Tai
II cabinet had conference with M
Taft but neither would talk for pull
LEGATION of its purport.