The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-21

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and after that the Taft ranch sees them
no more.
The industrial department of the ranch
is managed in the same thorough man
ner. There is a head to every branch of
activity. All, however, are responsible
to Mr. Green. At the present time ].
Tumlinson is in charge of the cattle de-
partment and c. NJ. Williams manages
the agricultural department. while
number of other people look after the
packing, dairy, cotton and other indus
tries. The smooth manner in which the
affairs of the Taft ranch are being run
is. indeed, a valuable lesson in practical
sociology.
Ground for new acres is being cleared
every day in the year. On the Taft
ranch there will be located next year
the largest cotton field in the world. 1t
will be % miles long and will extend one
mile on each side of the tracks of the
San Antonio and Arkansas Pass railroad,
which traverses the estate Corn, milo
maize, kaffir, corn, sorghum cane. COW
bean and other fields will take up large
areas. Truck Will be grown in great
quantities. Nevertheless. the big pas
lures of the property will not be mar
rowed down TO any extent These are
now divided into 5000 to 10000 acre
ranges and support over $1,000 head of
cattle and many thousand of smaller an
finals, such as sheep, goats, hogs and all
sort of fowl. The paclery now in course
of erection will be kept busy taking care
of these. The Taft property also owns
miles upon miles of beach front and the
finest fisheries along the coast. The cold
storage plant now under construction
will also aid in the development of the
sea food industry.
1t may be mentioned here that 1t has
-
products of the Taft packery are prin-
cipally intended for the use of the forces
digging the Panama canal. This would
mean the packing and shipping of from
300 to 400 head of cattle a day, and gov
eminent contract would be necessary.
There Is no doubt however that Charles
| p Taft is not counting on such a con-
| tract The products of his packery are
| needed locally and can be disposed of at
| better prices than the government would
pay.
Taft, Tex, was the only town in the
state that went solidly republican during
the last presidential campaign. Manager
Green, on the evening of election day,
wired to Big Bill: Taft is for Taft"
Taft now proposes to show Big Bill the
time of his life. In one of the pastures,
comprising some 5000 acres, not gun
has been heard in is years. In this the
much advertised Taft hunt will take
place Large number of deer, jack rab-
bits. wild cats, coyotes and millions of
quail are to be found In this pasture.
The most interesting part of the hunt,
no doubt, will be the chase of the wild
or chaparral cat. This cat is about four
times the size of the house cat and
ugly customer when cornered One OF
them is a match for the best dog, except
he has been trained to become a "cat"
H. a. @a11r Of 49,. 80
on the Taft ranch there are three "cat"
hounds, the leader of them being a big
raw boned fellow, Jim Buster, who has
more cats and coyotes to his credit than
any other dog In Texas. The best time
to hunt cats and coyotes is at night, and
| the second night of the Presidents stay
| at the ranch will be given over to this
exciting sport. How Big Bill will fare
| tearing through the mesquite. a tree full
| of sharp thorns, and thickets of cactus
| with spines even sharper. Is something
! the cowboys on the Taft ranch are spec
| ulating on very much.
Most of them have an exaggerated idea
of the Presidents physical makeup.
! eve are going to have an auction sale
| of sway-back horses after the President
| has gone" said one Of them facetiously.
! 81 am glad anyway that for the time
| being ! am not pony"
these chairs" said Mr.. Green, point
| ing to several massive wood affairs,
| Took big enough to hold almost any
| man. At least they are broad enough
But have my doubts If they are strong
| enough to bear his weight" He has
| bought new ones since then. Chairs
| with a stress capacity Of a hundred
| weight per square inch
| Carpenters who recently built bath
| house at the end of the pier that runs
from the Taft villa into the bay. used
| timbers three times strong as they
would ordinarily. What is more they
wanted to make the door nine feet high
| and five feet wide. It took all of Mr.
| Green's power of persuasion to convince
| them of the fact that man could be
| somewhat fieshy and still not be baby
| elephant.
Besides the hunt Mr.. Taft will play
| golf on the largest link to be found.
| These are located at La Quinta and were
| laid out by the Texas champion of the
| game Robert ]. Connerly of Austin and
| Frank Lewis of San Antonio, well
| known expert with the mashie and tee.
| In laying out the course the nine holes
| were so arranged as to keep the Presi-
| dent within view from the house, en-
abling his party and guests to watch ev-
cry game.
There will be large number of other
entertainment features. Should Presi-
dent Taft want an absolute rest the
ranch will be the best place to find It,
| The windows of his suites command a
| magnificent view of Corpus Christi bay
| and the long sweeps of low hills forming
| the estate. He can have a dip In the
| briny waters of the gulf. can fish for ta-
| pom or the smaller denizens of the deep,
| and can enjoy the sail of his life ON the
| quiet waters that ripple under his win
| dows. Miles of excellent shell roads will
| give him an opportunity for automobiling
and in case he wants to do some real Joy
| riding there are stretches of beach on
| which 100 miles an hour may be pulled
| off without the slightest danger.
According to the present programme at
least one day of the Presidents stay will
be taken up by a close inspection Of the
property. He win keep in touch with
the affairs Of the nation by means of a
telephone connecting the Taft villa with
Gregory. At the Ranch hotel. in the lat
ter place, will be located the presidential
| offices.
Mr.. Taft will go to the ranch after a
| STAY Of two DAYS In San Antonio, where