Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-18

sistant secretary to the President, found
an internal machine upon his desk yes
terday morning. On opening the pack
age he discovered slow fuse burning
merriiy and dangerously near the ex-
plosion point. Disregarding the use Of a
bucket Of water, Mr.. Allen heroically
smothered the fuse with his naked right
hand, turning large and juicy section
Of the flesh
Shows Hands Unscathed.
incidentally it may be mentioned that
to all comers today Mr.. Allen exhibited
both hands and each was free from
burns. callous spots. blisters or other evil
dence of contact with anything harder
than pencils, pens, papers, etc.
The package was supposed to have
been placed upon Mr.. Aliens desk along
with the early morning mail or by some
all the policemen and put it upon the
desk. The narrowing details go on to
show that if the six pounds Of dynamite
in the machine had exploded it would
have wrecked portions Of the executive
offices, but that the President would have
escaped. The additional details are added
that the President never handles mail or
packages Of any kind and that internal
machines would not reach him at any
time.
a newspaper man. Sitting in the press
room of the White House late in the
afternoont this joker told several of his
companions about the big "story" that
had escaped the notice of other reporters
during the day.
Heard Story, But Not Denial.
Later, however. he told those present
that he was Kidding" and no more was
thought of 1t. 1t seems, though, that a
young newspaper man who was outside
the pressroom heard the story but not the
denial, and, without close investigation,
proceeded to write 1t for his paper.
No attempt has ever been made upon
the life of President Taft, and ex-Presi-
dent Roosevelt also escaped dangers of
this kind. Many cranks have called at the
White House seeking the President. but
have been intercepted by police or secret
service officials. The great majority Of the
cranks mean no harm, and it Is exceed
ingly rare that one is ever armed. News
papers. as a rule refrain from printing
anything about them, at the request Of
the White House. simply because 1t in
cites other visitors mentally unbalanced
to seek the White House as mecca for
cures of all sorts of distressing troubles.
Mooney Declines Position.
Granville w. Money. former speaker Of
the lower house of the Ohio legislature,
has declined the offer Of the position Of
assistant secretary to President Taft, to
succeed Sherman Allen, who has been
nominated as assistant secretary Of the
Treasury. to fill the vavancy made by the
resignation of A. Piatt Andrew. Mr..
Mooney will remain in Ohio and work
for the election of President Taft. No
succeed Mr.. Allen, who will enter upon
his duties at the Treasury Department
as soon as he Is confirmed by the Senate.
Taft May Visit Terre Haute.
President Taft today gave a partly
favorable answer to the earnest invitation
Of Terra Haute. Ind. to visit that city
the second week in September to attend
the Tooth anniversary OF the battle fought
there by Gen. William Henry Harrison
against western Indians. Former Repre-
sentative Watson introduced Jacob Fink
eistein to the President, and Finkelstein
said the Indiana people wanted the Presi-
dent He declared that the occasion
Gov. Marshall, who is on the democratic
ticket with Wilson. would be present. The
President said that he would consider the
invitation. but again emphasized that he
does not propose to accept invitations that
will take him to political gatherings or
carry him on a campaign tour. He has
always found pleasure in mingling with
the people. he said, but will accept no in
vitation where an attempt Is made to OBJ
tain political advantages for any person
or party.
Assured of Negroes Support.
Negro republican leaders from different
parts of the country called on the Presi-
dent today to assure him that the negroes
Of the country will stand faithful to
their traditions in support of the repub-
lican candidate for President. The visit