The Washington herald., 1912-04-16
PRESIDENT TAFT
! HEARSOF DISASTER
WHILEAT THEATER
Executive Kept Advised Of
Developments by Wash
ingtOn Herald.
FEARS FOR MAI. BUTT

President Taft learned OF the appalling
news OF the sinking Of the Titanic when
he was at Polls Theater with Mrs. Taft
last night. The President was deeply af-
fected and left for the White House
soon after receiving II. AS soon as he
had arrived at the White House the
President called for all available details
The President, while shocked at the
extent Of the loss OF life, was, OF course,
particularly anxious over the safety OF
his military aid. Maj. Butt. Maj. Butt
has been closer to Mr. Taft than any
other man. He has accompanied him on
all Of his trips, has been his constant
companion on his walks and motor rides.
and has Joined him in most of his golf
games. The President has come to re-
gard him more as a brother than a MILL
tary aid.
Mai Butt also enjoyed the closest
friendship with Col. Roosevelt, having
served as military aid to him when he
was in the White House. It has been
reported recently that Maj. Butt was
about to be married. His home Is in
Augusta. Ga, where his mother now
lives.
In compliance with a request from
the Executive Ohices, The Washington
Herald kept the White House posted
on the telegraphic news of the sinking
of the Titanic, constantly sending bull
letins by telephone. The President
displayed a feyerish interest in these
bulletins.
All day yesterday friends and members
Of the families Of the Washington men
aboard the Titanic waited In hysterical
anxiety ~ news Of the midOcean dis
Hopes Rudely Dashed.
Hopes were raised by the extra papers
publishing accounts of the condition of
the liner. only TO be brutality dashed last
night when the real truth Of the matter
came TO light.
Mrs. Clarence Moore, the charming wife
Of Clarence Moore. the well-known So
ciety man and horseman, who Is one OF
the THAMES passengers, kept in con-
slant telephone communication with
Miss Edith Oracle, daughter of Col
Archibald Oracle, one Of the other WASH
ington men on the Inflated vessel Miss
Oracle left Washington last night TO
join her mother in New York. Mrs.
Oracle is being sought by deputy mar
shals OF the Supreme Court OF the Dis
trict as a witness in the case OF Mrs
Mary s. Gage, who a few weeks ago was
placed under arrest on complaint Of
Charles ]. Bell, prominent local banker.
who claims that Mrs. Gage made threats
against his life. alleging that he was in
strumental in keeping her and her daugh-
ter. Miss Margaret Gage. out Of WASH
ington society. II is believed that Mrs.
Oracle will be easily located. now that
the Titanic disaster has made Il neces-
sary TO proclaim her presence in New
York.
Mrs. Clarence Moore said this evening:
81 cannot believe that SO many pas
sengers have gone down. I have been in
communication with the White Star Line.
and while they say the ship is sunk, II
cannot tell about the passengers. I will
not believe that Mr.. Moore Is among
the lost until I have positive informa-
ton. will hope until the end"
No requests for aid were received from
the Titanic either by the Navy Depart
ment or the United States Revenue Cut
ter Service The last information re-
seived by these two services was to the
effect that the Titanic was proceeding
toward Halifax under her own steam.