Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-02
Number of Important Matters of Ad-
ministration Gone Into
PREsIDENT-ELECT FEELING WELL
Apparent Fine Physical Condition is
Subject of Congratulation.
CHANGE MADE IN PROGRAM
Mrs. Taft and Mrs. sherman Will
Ride with Their Husbands on
the Drive Back to the
white House.


WASHINGTON, March IA rush Of
morning callers interrupted a long walk
in the afternoon, and attendance tonight at
a special dinner in his honor by the TAFT
Philippine Expedition" brought President
elect Taft to within two days of his in
auguration with less serious demands on
his time than he has experienced during
any day since his late return from Panama
and New Orleans.
The apparent splendid physical condition,
the universal good humor and absence from
worry and nervous strain OF Mr.. Taft
made a uniformly gratifying impression on
the many statesmen, politicians and
friends who are received by him daily.
His jovial remark is that his inaugural
address is prepared, his cabinet selected,
the inaugural committee is preparing all
details for the ceremony on Thursday and
why should he feel otherwise than com-
Portable"
Conference with Knox.
The day was begun with an extended
conference between the president-eect and
Senator Knox, at which many important
matters pertaining to the next admins
tration were gone oyer Mr.. i<noX is
giving much attention to the prospective
organization of the State department over
which he is to preside after March L. Be
sides, he is being consulted freely by Mr..
Taft regarding the affairs of other depart
ments, Mr.. Taft having many times re-
marked that ne should give great weight
to the judgment of his secretary of state.
Charles Nagel of St. Louis, with Mrs.
Nagel is here, and they paid their respects
to Mr.. Taft. In the absence of the Off
cial announcement of the personnel of the
new cabinet. MIR. Nagel is somewhat shy
when addressed as Mr. Secretary" That
the Missouri member of the republican
national committee is to be the new secre-
tary of commerce and labor, however, is
known to be a fact Frank II. Hitchcock
is here from New York He spent some
time at the capital today, and also saw
Mr.. Taft regarding matters which will arise
directly after the Inauguration. No other
members of the Taft cabinet are in Wash
ington, with the exception of Postmaster
General Meyer and Secretary Wilson, who
are attending to their respective duties in
the Roosevelt cabinet.
A federal judgeshp in northern Alabama
brought to the Boardman residence this
afternoon a delegation from that state
! headed by Representative Richardson. Mr.
Taft went over the situation with them and
listened to their recommendations.
An informal tea, which was the feature
I at the Boardman residence this afternoon
attracted thereto many members of Wash.
| ington official and social life. and Mr. ant
Mrs. Taft met all callers.
Philippine Dinner Party.
The Philippine dinner tonight was ar
ranged by Miss Mabel Boardman and Rep
| resentative Mckinley Of Illinois, and wa!
| the most pretentious of the enjoyable oc
! casions which this famous party indulge
in every year. There were present sever
| United States senators and twenty-foul
members of the house of representatives
besides a number of otherwise distinguishe,
! personages who sailed to the orient Will
Mr.. Taft in 1906. The trip attained mos
of its fame because of the matrimonial ac
complishments resulting. Representative
Nicholas Longworth and Miss Alice Roose
welt became bethrothed; Representative
Bourke Cochran met Miss Ide, daughte
of Judge Ide Of the Philippine commission
who is now Mrs. Cochran, and Representa-
tive Swager Sherley of Kentucky met Mis-
Mignon Crltton of Staten Island, to whom
he became engaged.
The dinner took place in the banquet hal
Of the Willard hotel which was rich Il
decorations and floral settings. Senate
Nathan B. Scott of West Virginia, one o
the voyagers, was toastmaster. and tn
speeches voiced the general spirit OF con
viviality which exists among the member
Of the party, and were turned TO expires
(ContinuAd on Second paqeN