Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-23
Taft Will Do Little travelling
After Holidays.
WILL WATCH CONGRESS
Senators Flint and Brandegee Dis.
cuss Panama Canal Toll Rates.
PROF. J. W. jerks A CALLER
President and Mrs. Taft Visit Stores
and Purchase Number of
Christmas Gifts.

President Taft is to be away from
Washington for comparatively short
periods during tho session OF Congress
after the holidays. With his heart set
upon seeing Congress break all short-ses-
sion records by actually grinding out
valuable and much-wanted laws the
President does not consider ii advisable to
make many trips away from the city until
after adjournment. So far he has only
two dates TO go out of Washington. He
will go to New York I'm January and to
Springfield. H.. February L. to take part
in the great Lincoln celebration at that
place. March ., five days after the final
session Of the Sixty first Congress has
become history, the President will 20 to
Atlanta to join the southern people i'm a
great commercial gathering there. HN
may also visit other points in the south.
Altogether. though. the Presidents
travels between now and next July will
not be as extensive as I'm the past. He
has expended much of his approprla ton
for travelling expenses this fiscal year
also having paid from il about SIo0O OF a
deficiency In the travel account of the
last fiscal year. Nothing is more pleasing
to the President than to get out among
the people of the country and meet them
face to face. He thinks Ii IS the duty Of
a President to mingle with the citizens OF
the country. and that is one of the main
reasons why it is difficult for him to de-
cline invitations to various points.
Messages to Be Watched.
The Presidents messages to Congress
and speeches in the next few months are
to be watched with significance by the
politicians of the country. He is every
where recognized as the leader of his par
LII
Congress makes a good record by March
the President will be able to talk to the
country with unusual confidence and to
demonstrate his abilities as harmonizer
of his party.
The President today received a dozen or
so callers before the regular cabinet meet
ing. Senators Flint and Brandegee, both
members of the Senate committee on In
teroceanic canals, discussed with the
President the desirability of getting
through this session OF Congress a law
fixing the toll rates on the Panama canal.
SO that shipping interests everywhere may
begin to prepare for this. IT. Is said to
take eighteen months to adjust any
change I'm ocean routes and rates, and for
that reason it is advisable that action b
taken now.
MI. Elliott Urged for Place.
Senator Gamble and Senator Crawnoea
Of South Dakota have conferred upon
James d. Elliott Of Aberdeen for United
States district Judge Of South Dakota, IN
place Of Judge Garland, elevated to he
court Of commerce by President Taft Ma
Elliott. for many years United States -,
torney of South Dakota, Is strongly ba0os
ed for the place.
Representative Mondell talked 20 ~
President about pushing work on III
North Platte irrigation project Reproeenf>
tative Bennett OF New York introduced
Prof. J. w. jerks of Cornell.
Ex-senator Hopkins OF Illinois, noR
practicing law in Chicago. was a calleH
as was DIR. c. A L Reed OF Cincinnati.
President and Mrs. Taft spent yesteeS
day after shopping In the buz1neaA
district of Washington. They were recs
ognized by hundreds Of citizens, but were
I'm no way molested. They went into q
number OF jewelry stores. where the
President bought q number Of presents
for friends.