New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-30
after Conference, Says Leaders
Seem To Be Unanimous Re-
uarding Probability OF
His Reelection.
HILLES GUEST AT DINNER
Secretary Knox, Senator Crane,
Barnes, Koenig and Others
Meet President and Tell
Him Things That Make
Him Beam with Smiles.

President Taft conferred with
large number Of the leaders in the Re-
nublican campaign in the Empire
Room at the Hotel Manhattan last
night. 1t was the largest conference
IN which he has taken part during the
campaign. II was said that the ma
iority Of the reports received by nm
were optimistic.
When the President received the
newspaper men at 11:30 o'clock he was
all smiles as he spoke of what he had
heard. He said;
"A number Of distinguished gentle,
man with whom ! have eonterreo
seemed to be in entire accord as to the
wisdom that the American people Wouio
show IL they should re-elect me, and
also as to the reasonable probability
that they would
The discussion was largely in regard
10 the general situation and the partic-
ular situation in the various sections
represented by the men present II
was said that no formal plans for the
remainder Of the campaign were talked
Of. 1t is likely. however, that some
action may be taken i'm. certain dis
tricts to meet certain situations.
Crane and HiIIes at Dinner.
The President reached the city over
the Pennsylvania Railroad at o'clock
and went directly to the Hotel Manhat-
tan, where he dined as the guest of
chairman Hilles of the national COM
mittee. Others at the table we're
Charles p. Taft and Henry w. Taft,
brothers of the President; Senator w.
Murray Crane, of Massachusetts,; Major
Rhoads, his military secretary, and
Lieutenant Timmins, his naval aid
The dinner lasted until nearly
O'Clock. At that time the leaders who
had been invited to meet the President
began 10 go upstairs Among the first
10 go we're George r. Sheldon. treas
-ulcr If the national committee: State
Chairman William Barnes, jr, William
Nelson Cromwell, Clarence II. Kelsey
president Of the Title Guarantee and
Trust Company and a classmate OF the
President at Yale and Morton K.
Lewis. former state Senator and chair
man of the executive committee in this
state.
Samuel S. Koenig, president Of the
New York County committee, was also
one Of the earliest arrivals.
Secretary Knox of the State Depart
ment was present for short time.
Later came former Congressman ].
Van Vechten Olcott, former Congress
man Herbert Parsons, Franklin Q.
Brown, assistant treasurer Of the ma
tlonal committee; Isaac Ullman, OF
New Haven; Thomas C. Webb, Of New
Jersey; Samuel w. Fairchild, president
of the Union League Club; Henry
Clews, A. b. Leach, the bond man, OF
New Jersey; Charles d. Norton, for
merly secretary to the President and
now vice. president of the National City
Bank, and Naval officer F. J. II.
Kracke. of Kings County.
James B. Reynolds, secretary Of the
national COMMITTEES; John w. Hutchin-
son, jr.. head Of the speakers bureau
at national headquarters, and other
members Of the headquarters staff were
present
Among those who had been invited
were the various Congress candidates
IN New York City, and most OF them
were present and told the President at
first hand of conditions in their dis
tricts. Most Of them came directly
from meetings.
state Chairman Barnes laughed
Continued on second pare, hfth column.