The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-14

upon the meeting of President Taft and
President Porfirio Diaz of Mexico.
Secretary Dickinson's train arrived in
Topeka at 1 o'clock. leaving at ITO
The secretary on his trip to Ell Paso is
trying to avoid notoriety as much as
possible, and travels alone. without
even a secretary or stenographer. He
occupied a section in a standard Pull
man and his baggage consisted of an
oVercOat and q suitcase.
Not even the train crew knew of so
distinguished parsonage being on the
train. Only the Pullman conductor
knew the identity of the man who oc-
cupied section five in the rear sleeper
When the train pulled in George B.
Hetherington, chief clerk in the gem
eral superintendent Office and a State
Journal reporter, were the only ones
to meet him. It took some time to To-
cate the secretary, but through the
agency of the Pullman porter he was
finally found.
An Affable Gentleman.
Secretary Dickinson's appearances
are deceiving- He is the last man one
would take for a member of President
Taft'S cabinet. He is a tall man, ex-
tending upwards over six feet. He
wore a dark pepper-colored business
suit. His headgear consisted of little
dark colored cap. The secretary wore
a high standing color, with striped
whose streamers were dropped care
lessly on the outside of his vest. The
secretary is a very sociable and affable
man, typical southerner but one who
sounds his RS AS soon as he was
located in his section, he admitted his
identity with smile, and said: 81 be-
lieve I will go outside on the platform,
If you gentleman wish to talk with
me, for it's pretty stuffy riding in a
car all the time
Once outside the secretary started off
with the customary formality of the
weather. This is certainly bracing out
here" he said. "and it's the first wealth
er have enjoyed since I left Nashville
ing frost there then"
Hasn't Been West in Long Time.
Mr.. Hetherington read him an invi-
tation from the officers and their wives
Of Fort Bliss, Texas. who extended him
an invitation to be present at a recep-
ton which would take place tomorrow
night in Ell Paso in honor of the Off
GERS and their wives of Fort Sam
Houston, Texas. The secretary re-
Piled, That's very nice of them, in
that 1 will accept, as l have no secre-
tary with me.
"This is my first trip west of the
in several years" said the
himself without waiting for the GUS
-omary reportorial prompting. Il only
wish 1 could spend more time here in
Kansas. would like very much to
have been able to go over to Fort
Leavenworth to spend day or two as
am very much interested in that post
And if 1 had plenty of time. 1 would
AXE a little run up to Fort Riley, and
ook that place over
II have never been in Kansas very
much but all that 1 have ever seen
If your state strikes me favorably. II
;oticed the prosperous condition of the
'arming country through which 1 have
passed today, and can see the return
II prosperity on every hand. Kansas
has been bountifully blessed with good
crops this year. and everybody out this
way should be happy"
''By the way. how long does our
train stop?' asked the secretary as he
started down the platform.
"Only ten minutes" was the reply.
I wish it stopped here much longer.
[ have a very intimate friend here in
Charles Blood Smith. and 1 would like
to see him very much, but of course L
haven't the time to call him up
'.All aboard shouted the conductor,
and Secretary Dickinson removed his
gold-rimmed eye glasses and put them