The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-13
PRESIDENT TAFT
HIS OFFICE HOURS
Receives a Steady Stream of
y Visitors.
GOSSIP OF THE MEMBERS
Senator Davis of Arkansas Pays First
Visit to the Chief Executive.
President Hears Both Sides
of Insurgcnt Fight.
GOSSIP OF THE MEMBERS
BY JONATHAN wENFIELD.

(. Washington, February 12.-(Speclal)-
William Howard Taft President of the
Uaited States, has office hours, instead
of "holding court" as do the European
rulers. Every week day, unless Presi-
dent Taft is not adding more miles to
his worlds record for official travel,
from 10 o'clock in the morning until q
IN the afternoon he holds forth in his
room in the office part of the White
House. There is a steady stream of pub
lie officials, office hunters and sight
seers.
The first arrival the other morning was
Representative Gardner of Massachusetts,
son-in-law of Senator Lodge.
"seen anything of a couple of con-
stituents OF mine?" he asked one of the
doorkeepcrs. "Out of sick bed, laid up
for week. Some of my people are here
and want to see the President"
"IIayen't seen em. What's the mat
ter old age?' asqed a reporter.
"Say, young man." said the Massachu-
sets member. New Englanders eat plen-
tifully and follow in the simple life. Just
because I'm d son-in-law do not think
i am not old enough to shave"
- lsy this time it was just 1000 O'clock the
congressional room was crowded with
members of Congress. many accompanied
by friends from their homes who just
want to shake hands with the President
Senator Beveridge of Indiana was, how
ever, DELAYING the impatient members.
He was already in private consultation
with the President on the New Mexico-
Arizona statehood-bill. The House meas
ure, with Senate Northumberland
Beveridge IS chairman of the territories
1kAfr. fayaf-n
executive. When rhe conference was
oysr the Indiana solon sought til news
paper men and told them that he had
fixed the matter and that statehood was
assured. '5oda water Bev or CARBON
nted AL" the nickname by which the
Senator is known among the newspaper
p men, made themselves glorious in his re-
cital of how he had fixed up the state
hood bill.
Ills shadow had not cleared the White
House office before Postmaster-General
Hitchcock was among the reporters do
YOU know anything about ithe statehood
bill?" he queried
Yes" was the chorus. Were you
there?'' That was his cue, and the post
rdaster-general told his story from the
administration standpoint, eliminating
Senator Beveridge, excepting to say that
the failure of the statehood bill in the
diana man $ opposition.
The two secret service guards of the
President-Jimmy Sloan and Fred Wheel
er-were quietly running around here and
there among the visitors, keeping con-
{, start watch over those who successfully
passed the two uniformed police officers
at fire main door.
=, st oolk out,'' was the exclamation that
was startling. "Ffere comes Jeff Davis
1t was the Arkansas fre-eating demo-
~.rs{I L. FYfa
VINO desired to- shake hands with the
President
When the ordeal was over and the Ar
kansas senator was retiring he was sur
rounded by newspaper men.
well, Senator why the vsit?' was
the query.
Wanted to see the President. Think
he Is fine fellow. First time l have ever
seen him." said tho senator.
you've been here three years and TINS
Is the arst time you have seen President
Taft? He was in Roosevet's cabinet,
THAT is correct" was the reply the
words ringing with pride
fH ON his heels came man of peace. al
4. though one who has n proud war record,
Senator Gordon Of Mississippi.
Say, boys he said, that is the only
President I was afraid of. | am fearful
that he will steal our good old democratic
~ wish he were a democrat
1t was not cabinet day and the rep
rxsentatives and senators had full fling
Until nearl: / o'clock. Tnsurgent men,
Mes called to tell their side of the story.
They We're followed by emissaries of the
= Cannon organization. The President list
ened carefully and attentively to both
sides, but told them all he was not billed
to take an active part in the fight, but
still their fighting would not prevent the
carrying out of tie administration legis-
. la.ive programme.
e Representative Morehead of North Car
olii1a one of the republican members who
squeezed into the House year ago.
laid before the President comprehen-
eiye scheme to make many of the south
erl democratic states republican. HIS
was only one Of a dozen propositions ad-
Sanced during the morning. Represent
etive Madden of Chicago headed dele
cation that was opposed to the publicity
feature of the corporation tax law The
= President had TO listen intently. too, TO
the claims and counter claims of aspi-
rants for federal office. Rarely did he
commit himself. He did, however, glad
den r!ie heart of Representative Lang