The Washington herald., 1911-12-12
HAMMOND ISHOST
TO CLUB LEADERS;
GREETED BY TAFT
League President Entertains
Executive Committee.
TABOO PUT ON POLITICS

President Taft last night met and
had a brief conference with the ex-
ecutive committee of the National Re-
publicaA League, following a dinner
rendered them by John Hays Ham,
mond, president of the organization, at
his home, 23I5 Massachusetts avenue.
The gathering of the committee at din
ner last night marked the beginning Of
their work for the coming campaign.
Though it was explained that the func-
ton was purely social, the various
members began to get their insight into
the work ahead of them.
GREETS G. o. p. LEADERS.
The President arrived shortly after 10
o'clock. Leaving the White House. where
he had entertained the Republican ma
tional committeeman, the Executive, ac-
companied by Maj Butt. motored to the
Hammond residence just as members of
the league were preparing to adjourn
to the lower hall. With Mr.. Hammond
acting as host, President Taft held an
Informal reception, meeting men who rep
resent the leadership of the league, and
inquiring casually as to the political con-
dition in different States
1t was a noticeable fact that the mem
bers of the league seemed inclined at the
present time to take their stand in favor
Of the President for denomination.
Il believe that most of the league
members are out and out for the Presi-
dent because of his political strength
was the only comment made during the
evening by Mr.. Hammond.
Despite the announcement before the
meeting that political speeches would be
absolutely eliminated, one touch was add
ed to the dinner when John c. Mont
gomery. of Colorado. after proposing a
toast to President Hammond, suggested
that the party drink to the health of
Democracy. There was a general shout
OF protest.
Protest IL Withdrawn.
Let US drink to old Democracy" con-
tinued Mr. Montgomery. and hope that
she may do as she has always done be-
fore-the wrong thing at the right time.
This was acclaimed by the guests.
Among the diners there was a wide
difference OF opinion as to who the
Democratic candidates for the Presi-
dency would be. A majority main
talne0 tnat W OOuTOW wilson
wOUld be selected to oppose their can
didate. Next, in the opinion OF the Re
publican League committee, came Rep
resentative Oscar Underwood.
Present mt the Dinner.
Those present at the dinner were the
following:
Hon. John Hays Hammond. r. VI. LonGan.
Thomas J. Carroll. Benjamin A. Smith. Massachu-
sctts: Hon. L. II. Bancroft. E ]. Henning. Philip
Buettner Charles Mciee, Wisconsin; James J. Ds-
Tis Indiana; Hon. Hy. ID. Davis. Hon. ID. ID.
Woodmansee. +. T. Tanner. Ohio; Hon. Henry J..
jackson. Georgia; Hon. John g. Capers. South
Carolina; Hon. George ". Marshall. u. G. Click.
Delaware: John A. Stewart, August Buennsnn. Job
Z. Hedges, John J. d. Trcnor A. Il. Humphrey.
New York: d. b. Atherton. Fred W. Willard. Mail
Garland. Pennsylvania; Charles L. Light. West Viz
gInia: S. L. Hahn, Texas; l. h. TOrbet, Hon
Charles F. Fishback. Illinois; T.. Mont Reilly.
David j. Hnag Missouri: Hon. Henry VI. Baker.
George L. Whitford New Hampshire; Gus A.
Schuldt District Of Columbia Hon. John NJ. More
head, North Carolina Hon. Reed SmoOt, Utah
Hon. w II. Hepburn, Idaho; Harold Sewsll. Maine;
Hon William ]. browning +. +. Meyer IT., New
Jersey: John c. Montgomery. Colorado; Z. @. Sny-
der. l. S. LOumer Nebraska; Leander Foreman,
Maryland; Hon C. BascOm Slemp, Virginia; Hon.
James C. Neelham. Mai Bunham. California
Hon. William Z. Humphrey. Washington; Hon.
Malcolm ]. Mcleod. Michigan: Alfred +. Lunt,
College League; T. c. Hamlin. Colorado.