davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

mobile ride 10 La Quinta. the raheh
house. three miles further on
Charles p. Taft owns 125.0t0 acres
about Gregory and 10000 more within
a hundred miles. With his 100000 acres.
however. he is not looked upon as re-
markably large land owner in Texas
The largest ranch in the state. and PROB
ably in the world. is owned by Mrs. H. y
King. of Corpus Christi. and consists OF
100000 acres. The President took
luncheon with Mrs. King and her fam
lily on the last day OF his stay at the
ranch. Mrs. Kings late husband bought
the land which is included in the colossal
farm at prices ranging from 20 ~ cents
an acre. Now II is worth all the way
from 81 TO $50 an acre. The conductor
Of the train that hauled the President
from Houston TO Dallas. a man named
Taliaferro. owns land worth s3O0Os0
which he bought for song twenty-five
years ago
I have tried to get him 10 sell that
land of his and retire from the railroad
business. but he SAYS he'd rather be rail-
roading than have all the money he
wants 20 spend said Colonel Cecil
Lyon. the tall. cadaverOUs Republican
National Committeeman from Texas. who
introduced TaliaferrO 10 the President
before Dallas was reached But Talia-
ferrO is not unique in that respect.
You'll find men like that all over Texas.
I / have a friend down at San Antonio
who owns 500 600 acres of land that he
won't sell I know Of a certainty that
I he has been offered SO an acre for the
whole lot. for he came 10 consult with
me about it. Sell il, and sell il quick I
advised him. That means S6.O00OOO.
man.
But whatH / do with the money
when 1 get ito he asked If I had all
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
Aow He Killed a Cocktail Fantasy. Like the One
That Bothered Mr.. Farchild So Much
in Days Gone By.

story similar 10 the one that once made
Nice-President Fairbanks's life miser-
able. II was asserted that at the 81.
Louis Club. where the President break
tasted. he had enjoyed the Martini
cocktail that he had found beside his
plate. The story was printed generally
throughout the West. and in the re-
peated telling il grew. Some Of the ac-
counts dwelt on the manner in which the
President had "smacked his lips." had
smiled from ear 10 ear" and had
"chuckled with pleasure" as the LIQUID
had trickled down his throat. The Presi-
dent paid no attention whatever To these
Inventions He never takes A cocktail
or any other intoxicant. but has no
prejudice against others indulging their
individual taste in beverages.
The cocktail story drifted about the
country. generally little in advance OF
the Presidential party. and SO it hap
pened that quite frequently the most ex-
pert drink mixers in the neighborhood
20 be visited by Mr.. Tart were commits
sioned 10 show their skill. Down at
Macon. Ga. where the President was
entertained at breakfast by Representa-
tiNc Bartlett. the old negro butler at
tached TO the Congressman's household
threw himself on the preparation of a
mint julep for the President. The recipe
he used is said 70 have been handed
down from Henry Clay. and the old man
spent the better part of week getting
everything in readiness for the eventful
morning When the President arrived
he found the green topped crea tion in its
frosted glass beside his plate and the
whole company expectant Those pres
ent believed that he would go into
eCstacies over the concoction Instead,
much 10 the chagrin OF the old butler.
who was posted in the hall where he
could observe the effect Of his labors. the
President ignored the julep altogether.
Let US all drink 10 the health of the
President We hope you viii drink with
US" said Bartlett
4 do not drink" replied the President.
smiling. but I have no objection what
ever 70 being made the excuse for any
one else drinking who pleases"
II was at the Bartlett breakfast that
President Taft asked Senator Bacon il
he could not say something while in the
state that would help his candidacy for
reelection.
Thank you, Mr.. President" replied
the Senator, i don't know what you can
say
Perhaps l might help you by saying
something against you" suggested Mr..
Taft
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

soon viii he making estimates on trifiing
phases of the work. or course this IS
leading pretty definitely ahead. both in the
technical side and In handling payrolls
overseeing employees. etc, and within three
years of the time when he began as ap-
prentice. II he is a good. bright hoy, he
will he an electrical estimator and earning
SIS a week
The electrical engineer is merely aa out
growth of an estimator and by the time
he can consider himself one. which will be
in two or three years more. your boy will
BE- getting So 70 80 a week and viii be
pretty we'll qualified 10 attend 20 any phase
of ordinary contracting work. lie will
have studied out everything he needs 10
know about wires ald wiring. even 10 get
ting a little more than a smattering Of
switchboards which govern the wires lead
ing to all parts OF the building. and will
have studied the installation Of engines
generators and dynamos. storage batteries
for bell systems. running OF telephone and
telegraph wires. etc. their cost and where
they can be got. and will have developed
ability in competing with other men in his
own line.
The man that succeeds as an estimator
is the one On whose basis bids are submit
ted for practically all work. and II he.
through his superior knowledge and skill.
can show how 10 save here and there II
will enable mis- firm 10 make the offer that
gets the contract. He Is the most impOr-
tant man In the company. for he has the
knowledge and skill. can show how To save.
and in many instances those at the head
OF this department OF a firm of electrical
engineers get as nigh as sl5,0o0 a year.
But not simply in estimating should your
boy strive to equip himself as an expert.
From the time he begins as an apprentice
until he becomes one of the biz men OF the
firm he viii Be brought more and more into
relations with architects. Now. architects
are the first. outside OF the actual pros
pective owners. 10 know that a building IL
10 be erected. Consequently. they are in a
position 10 extend this knowledge 10 con-
tracing fTms they favor; and II l. dis
tinctly up 10 a young man who wants 10
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER Y,
ELECTRICITY. says the Standard Diction-
49, is "an imponderable and invisible
agent. producing various manifestations Of
-nergy," and the Century Dictionary says:
The true nature % electricity is as Yet
nor az all understood" Maybe Il Is tins
very mystery. and the knowledge that n
Is the most potent OF known forces. that
makes the subject 50 attractive and also
lures tie boy with a taste for things me
chanicsl. Anyhow. n is the biggest thing
n mechanics nowadays. and offers the
most varied and most progressive field Tor
confederation by the man hunting for an
occupation for his son.
Bot 20 say that MY son is going 20 be
ar electrical engineer" conveys nothing IN
particular. for IL might mean any one OF
a thousand almost totally different lines OF
activity. For instance. telephones would
10 ir8DoSsible without electricity, and 10
eet into the practical side Of telephoning
one would make one. in that sense. an
slscfrfcsl engineer. The same with tele-
graphing. win wireless telegraphys with
tine construction Of electrical machines
win storage batteries, with the construc-
tion o. suatchboards. with central station
Rork az tie big power houses, With bell
engineering. having 20 40 With loN tension
work. az telephones signals In houses ana
other lines not requiring much power ana
Nlth an almost endless number of oihef
branches. an distinct IN themselves, Win
the e2perts in all Of them heing known a.
electrical engineers. Even the moiormen IN
suhWays OF on trains operated ny elec-
tucify are known - electrical engineers'
30 they need 20 know nothing - other
departments Of the business.
There Is one line. however, thar would
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
HE REMEMBERED HAMMOND.

At Riverside, Cal. where the lines OF
militiamen were closely drawn around
the Glenwood Hotel. John Hays Ham
mond stepped across the street 10 the
drug store. Before leaving the hotel he
spoke 10 the militia sergeant at the door
and introduced himself 4 am Mr.
Hammond" he said. "a member Of the
Presidents party, and wish TO go across
the street and come back. VIII you re-
member me?'
IN remember you all right" replied
the sergeant
Ten minutes later Mr. Hammond re-
turned, and as he mounted the steps of
the hotel up came the sergeant's gun.
barring his way
Il am Mr.. Hammond" exclaimed the
famous mining engineer. Don't YOU re-
member: you said you'd remember me
when / came back"
But l didn't say I'd let YOU in again. -
retorted the soldier. sternly-and ne
didn't II took all Of half an hour 10 get
Hammond inside the hotel again Be
fore he could gain admittance he had 10
wait until some member Of the party
appeared near enough TO be hailed from
the outside. and, learning thus Of his
trouble, managed 10 find higher-up
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

get 10 the top TO do all he can vixen
brought in contact with architects 70 cause
them 10 favor his firm
Especially viii the cultivation of this eX-
ecutiye faculty prove valuable when our
now trained electrician-yOur hOy-decides
10 have a firm, a business, OF his own
This he will he able 10 DO, with all the
financial backing he needs the minute cap
ital sees him tower above his fellows
Who has gone through this line and
reached the top2 Virtually every electrical
contractor in the country. large and small.
for it is a business where practical expert
ence courts more than schooIne. and nearly
every one. therefore. began Just as your
hoy viii IL he decides 10 take up this cali
ing. On fact. almost every man who IL
anything az all I'm any form Of electrical
endesvor began az the bottom-even Thomas
A. Edison. though he did not begin in the
house wiring end.
one Of the greatest superintendents Of
electrical construction in the world Is a man
who had no technical schooling at all He
learned the rudiments Of house wiring. and
to-day he is known throughout his portion
OF the electrical world as the man who was
superintendent OF electrical installation in
the worlds largest Office building the Hud-
son Terminal. IN New York. VINO held the
same place in the worlds largest apart
ment house and who has done the electrical
installation in numerous other huge struct-
ures.
Another case in point is that OF the head
OF the electrical department OF one OF the
countrys s largest construction companies
a company that builds. among other things,
a large number OF skyscrapers every year.
Four years ago this young man was an or
Ginarv wfreman. To-day his salary Is big
enough 10 give him all the luxuries he
wants
Copyright 1909. by the Associated Literary
HrcSsl
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
LYONS HARD BOILED SHIRT.

Colonel Lyon. who is nearly as great
a friend of Mr.. Taft as he was Of Mr..
Roosevelt, whom he tried 10 force into
a third term. accompanied the Presiden-
tial party through the Lone Star state.
and the task Of dressing for dinners was
his heaviest cross. L hate these hard
boiled shirts" he said again and again.
and on the day the President said good
by 10 him before leaving for ST Louis
he fairly beamed with joy. "Of course.
I've had a bully good time going around
with you" said Lyon 10 the President.
but when you leave l can shake the
hard boiled shirt and look like a civil
ized person once more. I'm going 20 give
away that Prince Albert coat and that
dizzy silk hat TO the first tramp that
see, even il I have 20 poke a gun in his
face TO make him take them"
As the lank Lyon followed the Presi-
dent of the back platform OF the car
Mayfiower on the morning they reached
Dallas one Of the coloners friends in the
crowd yelled, Here comes a side OF
bacon. streak OF fat and streak OF Iesn.
Hurrah for the President and Cecil
Lyon"
The President maintained his good
health 10 a remarkable degree through
out the trip. He had trace OF a cold
soon after he left Boston and at about
the same time was suffering little from
a sore toe. caused by a slight injury re-
ceived on the golf links az Beverly But
both affections disappeared within few
days. and he was In first class condition
until Texas was reached When he went
20 the ranch for his four days rest his
voice was clear. but when ne left hts
brothers house and started 20 speak
again he found himself almost voiceless
The change from the dry air Of Vest
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
WARM SOUTHERN WELCOME.

Nowhere in the country was the Presi-
dents welcome warmer than in the
South. and as he spent nearly half the
time Of his trip below Mason and Dixon's
line fl was evident that he intended 10
use all possible effort 10 win the regard
OF the people who had voted for the other
candidate. once in a while. in the ex-
uberance Of their welcome. men in the
crowd would call out. -Four years more
for Taft OF. We'll elect YOU again.
Biz" These expressions always brought
a good natured sally from the President.
Down at Birmingham, when a loud voice
shouted. We love you, Bill" the Presi-
dent retorted quickly: THAT reminds
me OF part OF an old quatraln. Perhaps
II was right 10 dissemble your love. but
why did you kick me downstairs?' - "
And at Savannah, when the banqueters
in the DE Soto Hotel cried, -Four years
more for Taft" he exclaimed. Il have
heard similar expressions OF good will
from audiences in the District OF Colurn
bia"
The guarding OF the President on his
trip. which most people believe was done
exclusively by the Secret Service. turned
out 10 be a composite task performed by
the local police. the state militia. sheriffs
and deputy sheriffs. regular troops and
all sorts Of officers sworn in for the pur-
pose. or course. the President was ac-
oompanied everywhere by his two Secret
Service bodyguards, just as his predeces-
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
ON THE RANCH.

The Presidents visit 70 Texas was per-
haps the most enjoyable. because the
most novel, OF any part OF his long trip.
He had never been in the state before,
and had no realization of the vastness
of its area He had heard OF its 1OOUNE
acre ranches. of course, but until he
travelled over them had no real cOncep-
ton OF what the figures meant on the
night he arrived al the ranch owned by
his brother. Charles p. Taft. AT Gregory,
the Presidents train was three-quarters
Of an hour going from Sinton. the rail-
road station at its northern edge. 70 the
place where he was 70 stay. and during
all that forty-five minutes the train was
upon Taft land After Gregory station
was reached the President took an auto
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
.ooaEss 10000 PERSONS ON

into the papers the next day-and it was
printed.
Sometimes the managers Of the fairs
where he was booked 10 appear were
courteous enough to wire for permission
TO charge admission on the day Of his
appearance. These requests were al
ways granted, with the understanding.
however. that admission was 70 be
charged only for the grOunds-that moth
ing extra was 10 be required for seats IN
the grandstand or other locations near
the speakers.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

militiaman with sufficient authority TO
make the sergeant drop his gun
Throughout the trip the President
showed an utter disregard of Secret Ser
vice orders. If he was informed that
any particular place was dangerous
that was the particular place where he
wished to spend some time. At New Or
leans he attended two football games. in
opposition TO the wishes Of Chief Wilkie
and the warnings of Captain Butt "Oh,
you fellows make me tiredr' he would
exclaim when he was informed that it
would be advisable for him to take pre-
cautions for his personal safety. DO
you think l am a child?"
The President likes nothing better than
90 enter a crowd of struggling men and
handshal1e right and left. AS long as he
finds a hand out-thrust he will shake it.
and more than once during the trip he
had TO be carried almost bodily away by
his protectors.
The President should by this time be
an expert on fat cattle and big fruits
and vegetables. He has seen the largest
which the various states produce, at
twenty fairs. and whenever he has at
tended these gatherings of the country
folk the receipts at the gate have taken
amazing leaps. Il have come to the con-
clusion," he said more than once, that
the chief function of a President Of the
United States is 10 swell the box office
receipts" He has not resented this, as
a rule, for he is in favor of country
fairs, because they represent the prog
ress OF the country in agriculture and
stock breeding. At nearly every fair
visited he took occasion 10 urge the
Young men of the state 10 stick 20 the
farm. once in a while however. when
the effort TO make dollars out of his visit
was too apparent he set his foot down.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
A SCHEME NIPPED.

An incident of this sort happened at
Seattle. where the managers Of the ex-
position refused 10 give 10 the papers the
lire OF march 10 be taken by the Presi-
dent through the city before and after
his visit 10 the show grounds. Their
scheme was ralpable enough, for if the
people could NOT learn from the papers
where they could see the President. they
would be forced 10 pay their admission
into the fair 10 gain the coveted view
As soon as he became convinced that the
omission OF the parade route through
Seattle was intentional the President in
structed Captain Butt TO see that it got
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
PATIENCE INEXHAUSTIBLE.

Before Nv. Taft had travelled far il
Was apparent that he was willing 10
sacrifice his personal comfort for the
sake Of helping on the general JOY when
ever and wherever the local entertain
r7enr committee made the request. The
mere fact that the programme as
soleEnnly agreed upon in advance had
been extended SO that the President was
called upon 10 make four speeches in
stead Of one. or handshake with three
thousand persons instead OF two hum
dred. did not seem 10 ruffle him in the
least. He went through the wearying
grind without a murmur. and in spite OF
the indignant protests of Captain Butt.
his military aid, and of the exhausted
Secret Service guards. would sit smiling
a a dinner into the small hours Of the
morning while local orators thundered
their platitudes or told twice repeated
tales 20 the great glee Of their admiring
friends
one Of the longest gastr0nomical func-
tions of this sort was AT Savannah,
where the President listened patiently 10
local spouters until O'Clock in the
morning before he was able 10 get upon
his tired feet and express his thanks.
Al san Francisco. A. Los Angeles and at
Grand Canyon he was treated 70 similar
long-dra wn-out hospitality. but. be II
said in praise OF his patience. he did not
utter 4 murmUr Of disapprovaL
Usually after a 1 or O'Clock session
az this sort the local committee would
call upon him AZ : o'clock 20 treat him 10
an automobile ride and breakfast in a
remote suburb. Even when the local
committee boldly stole his train, as they
did in Arizona. with the approval Of the
Governor. and brought him into town
two hours ahead Of schedule time. the
good natured President did not rebel II
might he mentioned In passing. however.
that Captain Butt and other members OF
the Presidential party who had expected
10 enjoy a slow and comfortable trip
across the desert on this forenoon IN
question made some remarks that would
not look well In print. In order 10
hustle the President into Phoenix two
hours IN advance Of the set time II was
necessary 20 run the train al a pace that
whipped up the alkaH dust in clouds.
This dust, coupled with the terrific heat.
made life almost Unbearable in the cars.
but the President continued 70 smile
through his perspiration. and did not
suggest a criticism of the men who had
abducted him.
Al ST. Louis an effort was made by
some q the papers 10 start a cocktail
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

.-Cive me your friendship. I am not
hooking for your votes-theyh come
later"
when President Taft spoke these
words before a sea 81 upturned faces al
Houston he uttered the keynote OF 'ie
great trunscontinentai Journey thSt nc
las lust brought 10 a close. ne asAeu
for votes nowhere: for good viii al every
.fapnirc place along the thirteen thou-
s-nd miles Of his trip. II was a cam
uascn tour for the suffrage oi human
hearts. and he has returned 10 the W mite
House with the belief that his quest was
not in >ain II was also a journey OF
education for himself. a postgraduate
course 10 NJ him better for the tremen-
6ous task in Washington
I'm thirty states and TWO territories the
President rubbed elbows With the ciu-
zens and learned at first hand their as
ilirations. ideals. preiudices and needs.
Tn wears Of talk al the White House
in Washington could not give him the
accurate intimate knowledge Of condi-
rions in the West thar he gained while
his train whirled over the treeless plains,
or of the South that came TO him while
breslinC bread with the hospitable folk
in Dixie Land. His fve-day trip down
the Mississippi was college course IN
waterway lore itself. and his visit WITH
Diaz. the veteran Executive Of Mexico
al Fl Paso and Juarez. was worth more
than q score Of years Of diplomatic red
raQe reeled or between the Foreign Of
&C. Of sHa rvVo movers
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
ENJOY QUIET IN saoNxwLLE.

Thirty-siN members OF the Dartmouth
College football team were guests az the
Hotel Gramatan. Lawrence Park. Bronx
vile. last week. preceding their game
with Princeton. DR. Frederick A. Cook
has been at the Gramatan for the past
week. preparing his report and papers for
the Danish society. Or Cook has ex-
pressed his pleasure az the consideration
shown him and SAYS ne finds the Grans-
tan an ideal spot % complete his records.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
Once He Got the Accompanying Reporters Just
Where He Wanted Them-But 1t
Did Hin, No Good.

ern Texas 10 the moist atmosphere Of ths
eastern part of the state. coupled with
the relaxing effect Of the rest, very near
~ necessitated his laying or altogether
BY heroic work on the part Of DR.. J. J.
Richardson. the throat specialist who ac-
cOmpanied him. and shortening Of his
speeches to two minute talks. the Presf-
dents refractory throat was again
brought under control. and he finished
the trip in fine voice
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
SCIENTIFIC.

why did YOU get a divorce"
MY wife poisoned my whole life"
but YOU hastened 10 marry again.
We'll I had an antidote coming 10 me.
didn't I?"-Cleveland Leader
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

that cash I'd not be able To sleep OF
nights for thinking that il was going to
get away from me. Sooner or later I'd
have 10 invest il in some more land and
I don't believe I'd get anything I'd like
as well as the old place. So 1 guess 1
Will hold on 20 what l have And he
did"
New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

TO WHICH Mr.. TAFT RETURNS.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-02-26
Stubs Recommends 100000.

The ways and means committee of
the two houses have asked Governor
Stubs to fix the amount which he
thinks will be necessary to carry out
that pledge of the Republican state
platform in regard to the physical val
uation of public service corporations.
The governor believes that 100000
should be appropriated and has so no.
titled the committee. The Wisconsin
commission spent $4,000 last year
and only valued seventeen Of the 1,OO9
public service corporations of the
state.
Governor Stubs isn't anxious for
the legislature to carry out this pledge,
however, until the fate of the public
utility bill is sealed. If his utility bill
fails then he wants 100000 to make
the valuation under the present law.
Just how much he will ask If his
utility bill Is passed isn't known.