The Washington herald., 1912-02-02
TAFT TAKES A HAND.
Conferences with CoIored OmcIalu
Show New Activity in south.

| Conferences with CoIored OmcIaIH
Show New Activity in south.
From the New York Herald.
Several conferences held recently at the
White House. during which President Taft
discussed issues OF interest TO the col
ored voters with leaders of the race who
are active in politics, have caused a
great deal Of speculation here For one
thing it is taken as evidence that Presi-
dent Taft is aroused TO the necessity Of
missionary work among the Southern Re-
publican organizations.
Heretofore the task OF rounding up
Southern delegates has been left almost
entirely to Frank II. Hitchcock. the Post
master General He is more familiar
with conditions in the South than any
other man connected with the admins
tration. and his familiarity with the per-
sonnel of the Southern Republican organi-
cations has been depended upon to see
that all was we'll
Il is said. however. the President is not
so sure he has done wisely in leaving the
entire direction OF his political fortunes II
his lieutenants and has become aroused
TO the necessity Of giving more attention
to politics. Hence he has recently sum-
moned to the White House for confer
elGcS Nlilldlu H. Lewis. AsSlsNdHN ANIOE-
ney General; Ralph W. Tyler. Auditor Of
the Navy Department; Henry Lincoln
johnson, recorder Of deeds OF the District
OF Columbia: J. c. Napier, Register Of
the Treasury, and Whitfield Mckinley,
collector OF customs OF this city. All
these officials are colored.
Following the meeting OF the Georgia
State Republican executive committee last
December, when Il indorsed Mr.. Taft.
strained relations developed between
Postmaster General Hitchcock and Mr..
johnson, growing out OF that Endorsement.
according to a report current here. Ac-
cording to this report Mr.. Johnson was
delegated by Mr.. Hitchcock 20 go to
Georgia and prevent the State committee
from declaring its preference for any one.
When Mr.. Johnosn returned to wash
ington, after the committee had met and
instructed for Mr.. Taft. he found several
messages and telephone calls summoninE
him to the office Of the Postmaster Cen
eral Going over to the department, he
found the door of the Postmaster Gen
CiaTs private office barred to him. Since
that day Mr.. johnson has been excluded
from the confidence and the friendship
of Mr.. Hitchcock.
Fearing for his political safety. Mr..
johnson Immediately went to the White
House and told the President that he
had been stricken from the Postmaster
Generals list.
Then followed conferences at the White
House with leading colored officials On
the subject of lynchings in the South.
lin Crow car laws, Acknowledgement
statutes, and determinations practiced In
the civil service. The President voiced
his adherence OF lynching and his oppo-
sition TO laws denying the right OF suf-
frage, and is said to have promised that
ne would shortly outline his Southern
policy with clearness and vigor. Since
then there has been a great waEging OF
tongues among the colored people. And
the most interesting speculation among
them is over the attitude OF Mr.. Hltch-
cock. and who win hereafter give atten-
tion to Southern appointments.