The Washington times., 1909-03-03
Steady Throng of Visitors
Greeted by Presi-
dent-Elect.
HERRICK DECLINES
AN AMBASSADORSHIP
Announcement of Offer to Ohio
Man Made Today-Late
Callers Barred.
BY JAMES HAY, Jr.

PreSident-elect Taft planted his
substantial form against the ornate
wall of the Boardman parlor this
morning, and, in firm and cour-
ageouS voice, exclaimed:
Come one, come allr'
And he didn't have to say it
twice. The invitation was accepted
on the minute.
They came from everywhere
representatives of Congress, the
executive departments, the army,
the navy, the diplomatic service, and
that vast body of bold and daring
sailors on the high seas of private
life and political endeavor.
Slave of Public.
II was not much Of a way 10 celebrate
his last day Of private life. With his
Inauguration as President twenty-four
hours away, he was the slave of the
public. The Calling Club was on the
breastworks, and the white flag was
not in their midst, They were there
10 do business, and so they did.
How do you feel the day before your
inauguration one caller asked
Fine" said MIR. Taft. and looked the
part.
Outside the heroic work Of the Call
ing Club, the only development Of in
terest in the days proceedings was the
announcement Of the President-elect
that he had offered one of the big am
bassadorshipS TO Myron 7. Herrick, for
mer governor Of Ohio. and that Her
rick had felt obliged to refuse it, be-
cause OF the demands made upon him
by his business undertakings.
This announcement is taken as evil
dence of the good will between the two
men, although reports TO the contrary
have been printed.
Mr.. Taft announced tods that he
had offered the Assistant s 'ryship
OF the Navy 10 Beekms Athrop,
formerly governor Of PcI NSo, and
now Assistant Secretary Treas
ury. and that the latter sccepted.
His Callers.
Among the callers were:
Secretary Of State Bacon, Rear Adni-
Tal HemphiH, Capt Walter Allen,
Corps of Engineers. L. s. A; b a
Wallingford. jr, who had with him a
delegation Of Pittsburg men; Repre-
sentatives Duncan McKinIav OF Cali
fcruia and Prince of Illinois; William
SOlIeENille OF lilluOlbs JOln r. Stevens,
former chief engineer Of the Panama
Canal, and a host of gentlemen who
are here for the Inauguration, but who.
when tn they are at home, are towers of
strength to the cause of ReDublicaDism
- and good government
Outside the list Of regular callers
must be placed Arthur J. Torys of Ian
caster, Ohio. who was Mr- Taft's closest
personal adviser during the campaign.
Mr. NOTys had his son with him and
called to have a friendly talk with the
President-eiect. He will be one OF the
small company invited TO the luncheon
at the White House tomorrow immedi-
ately following the ceremonies at the
Capitol
The callers on the new President are
particularly numerous because Of the
great numbers who are already here
FOR the inauguration. They were ring
ing the doorbell Of the Boardman house
all last evening, and until a little after
! o'clock this morning. Firmly persuad-
he President is also great enough 10
so indefinitely without sleep and food,
they Clambered of the incoming ex-
cuTsion trains. grasped their lunch box
IS tigl tly under their arms, and bes [
it rapidly 20 1901 = street. where Mr..
Taft was trying 70 sleep.
Visitors Undaunted.
Utterly at a loss 20 understand why
the receiving hours did not last all
through the night, they went. crestfal-
len and rnorose, 10 their hotels and
boarding houses, left a call for O'Clock
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