The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-03
People Who Know President
Elect Intimately, Say He
Means to Visit the Panama
Canal Annually.
WILL PREVENT GRAFT
IN THE DITCH WORK
Next President Believes in
Getting at the Bottom Of
All Problems by Personal
Observation.
~ sheIdor s. Cline.

by Sheldon s. Cline.
Washington, Jan. 2.-Mr. Taft's
avowal that he will visit the Panama
canal once every year during the four
years OF his administration is not sur
prising to those who are acquainted
with the intimate side of the presi-
dent-elect's character. They are con-
WINGED that Mr.. Taft, barring unfor-
seen accidents. not only will go but
he also will see that the job on the
big ditch is conducted properly and
with total absence of that bugbear
Of all contracts involving considerable
money spending-graft. Herein lies
the obligation that Mr.. Taft once said
would be the biggest proposition his
administration would be called upon
to handle To satisfy congress and
the American people that the canal
to get an assurance that
the canal will be opened to the worlds
commerce by the promised time-1915
and to gather such data as will en-
able him to answer canal. critics, in
and out Of congress. are the primary
reasons Of the president-elect in pledg-
Ing himself to take these proposed
annual journeys to the Isthmus.
His Simple Duty.
In adopting this rather unusual
method Of getting at the bottom of
things" to quote Mr.. Taft's own Ian
guage, the president-elect is following
4 course which he conceives to be his
simple duty. He did things after this
close-range method in the handling
Of Philippine problems when he was
secretary Of war. In fact. he mas fol-
lowed this conscientious. pains-taking
method OF doing business all his life;
and IL has on occasions operated to
his personal disadvantage. His close
friends here remember how. after he
had returned to Washington following
his last visit to the Philippines to
some administrative tangle
there. his observance of what he con-
sidered his strict duty was then
thought to be an obstacle to his presi-
Dental chances.
Self interest Forgotten.
When he arrived in Washington he
plunged into the prepa-
ration of his report on Philippine con-
ditions.
Drop that and get out and make
some speeches, so the people can see
you," advised his political friends.
Not until have fulfilled my duty
as secretary Of war. The people are
more concerned in my doing that than
in hearing any speeches from me"
replied Mr.. Taft.
Disregarding thS pleadings OF his
friends. Mr.. Taft stuck to the task OF
completing his Philippine report, a
document that was probably unready
save by few persons In the govern
ment whose duty so required them.
He lAbored many a night at his deck
in the war department long after ev-
cry one except himself and his sec
rotary had gone. and he didn't venture
into the campaign fight until the re-
port was edited, revised and In the
hands Of the printer.
To Panama, Jan. Is.
When Mr.. Taft departs for the 18TH
mus on January % next, he will be
undertaking = journey that is not with
out its hazards for him. In fact, it
was the possibility OF illness or inju-
ry that. when the trip was first pro-
posed. prompted many OF his friends
to attempt to dissuade him from TAX
Ing 1t at this time. In the first place
Mr. TAFT II . large man. he is subject
to those ailments that frequently over
take men of his bulk and great activi-
ty, and while having the appearance
Of enjoying robust health. he has not
fully recovered from the effects of his
recent strenuous A..,paign.
This explains why the navy depart
ment will provide for the journey q
vessel Of the size of the North Carroll
M. On battle ship OF the type OF
this one, with the weather ordinarily
mild. he will be able to make the voy-
age quickly and with far more comfort
than were the vessel smaller and less
seaworthy. The North Carolina can
steam the distance between Norfolk.
the probable port Of departure. and
tho isthmus In six days. making
twelve days for the sea trip and allow
Ing Mr.. Taft two or three days for his
inspection Of tho canal work. Mean
time the president-elect will remain In
Augusta. Gu. preparing himself for
the strenuous days ahead.
Argument Against Trip.
Another argument against Mr.. Taft
taking his proposed Panama trip h
that In the event of his death there 10
no provision for Z successor to the
presidency. It Is true the country ut
large regards Mr.. TAFT and Mr.. Sher-
man % respectively prestdent-eiect
and vice president elect. They are
not w strictly president and vice
president elect. but they will be before
.fh~ da4s d Mr. Taft's departure