Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-07
Before White House Luncheon
He Greets TumuIty and
Employees.
LOST AT THE CAPITOL
WHILE HUNTING CLARK
Il Am the Happiest Man in the
United States" Says Former
President.

Former President William H. Taft
made his first visit to the White House
today since he left March to become a
private citizen and teach law at Yale
University. MIR. Taft was the luncheon
guest of the President and Mrs. Will
son. but before he sat down 10 the
White House tao ole again he made
brief visit to the executive offices, shook
hands with all the old employees he knew
and made the acquaintance of Secretary
Tumulty.
Before his White House call Mr. Taft
motored to the Capitol and got lost
Alone and unannounced he went to the
House wing and looked for Speaker
Clark in the chamber The House was
not in session, and only an array of
empty benches greeted him.
Goes to Underwood's Office.
He strolied through the lobby. looked
al the portraits of former Speakers. and
after asking few questions Of the pages,
stepped confidently up to the door OF
Representative CndeIwood's private office
to lind ii locked
I'm looking for Speaker Clark, said
Mr. Taft
That's not his Office suggested a by
stander, who pointed out the proper door.
I'm looking for gentleman named
Champ Clark, said Mr.. TaIt as he
entered.
Speaker Clark jumped from behind a
newspaper and shouted. How are you?
The former President and the Speaker
conferred tor some time. Both are men,
bers of the Lincoln memorial commits
sion. which Will meet here next Monday.
"Happiest Man in United States
Il am the happiest man in the United
States, declared MIR. Taft as he left the
Speakers office.
Pointing to the Speaker. he observed:
The Speaker hasn't changed any. l find.
Il haven't been on tbs side in more
chan four years. added Mr.. Taft. Il
used to come up and LOBBY as Secretary
OF War.
Will Talk With Hilles.
Mr. Taft. who arrived in Washington
yesterday evening for a three-day visit,
began long day with an early break
fast this morning at the home of VIII
| liam j. Boardman, whose guest he is.
Mr.. Taft Is looking forward to a talk
| ton sht or tomorrow with Charles d. Hill
committee, who, Nj IafI said will ar
| rive In Washington this evening.
| Mr.. aft declined to tank politics today.
| He pointed out that 1t would not be fair
| to the democratic administration to do so.
| He said that his recent speech in New
York expressed all he had to say for the
present, although he might have some
| thing to add to that speech little later
| on. after thinking over the subject
! little more carefully than he has yet
done.
Lunches at White House.
Mr. Taft's most interesting engagement
today was lunching at the White House
with President Wilson and Mrs. Wilson.
While at the executive Offices Mr. Taft in
uuired about set of Supreme Court re-
ports belonging to him which have not
arrived in New Haven.
For a professor of law to be without
a set of Supreme Court reports Mr..
Taft remarked, lis a good deal like try
ing to produce the play of Hamlet with
Hamlet left out.
The former President was informed that
former Senator Cullom desired to call on
him at the Boardman home but he stop
ned that by sending word to Mr.. CullOm
that lie would call on him at his office in
the Capitol between and Il o'clock. This
he did in company with Chief Justice
White of the Supreme Court.
There mas been talk that the Lincoln
memorial commission is casting about
for a builder of known reputation, for
the purpose of intrusting to him the
vertising for bids. MIR Taft said today
that this will not be done, and that
bids will be advertised for.
Competitive System Best.
I'VE can safeguard ourselves by select
ing half a dozen or dozen of the best
known and most reliable builders. and
contning the bidding to those who We
know can do the work properly. But
the competitive system is the best sys-
tenn for public works. and that is un-
doubtedly the one we shall adopt
The selection of the sculptor who is 10
design and execute the statue of Lincoln,
which is to be placed In the memorial,
will not be by competition. The commits
sion vii. consider the wori. of the fore
most American sculp:ors, Mr.. Taft said
today. and intrGst the statue TO the one
deemed best fii,ed.
After linchng at tne v hite House to-
day Mr. Taft went oCt to the Chevy
Chase golf links for a round with William
j. Boardman and Justice Maflon Pftney
of the Supreme Court.
Tomorrow he will be the guest at
luncheon of Senator NeWlands at his
country nlace. the latter having invited
number of Mr.. Tatt's friends for the
occasion.
Calls at War Department.
Mr.. Taft was also a caller at the War
Department today, desiring to take up
with the Secretary of War a matter af
fecting the harbor of New Haven. Conn.
wnere railroad interests are desirous OF
acquiring twenty-three acres OF water
front property. He was also a caller at
the Treasury Department. to see Assist
ant Secretary of the Treasury Sherman
Allen in regard to the New Haven post
Office.
Discussing his future public speeches
and writings today. MIR. Taft sad that he
had not yet prepared the speech he !s to
make in New York tuesday night before
the Philippine Society of that city. In
view Of the fact that President Wilson
has not vet announced any policy in
regard to the Philippines former Presi-
dent Taft said tiat he had not yet made
nm his mind just what he would say in
the. coming speech
II have not changed my mind. how
over" he said, as to our duty in the
Philippines and the necessity for our
remaining there
~ - caid Ia ct night that he tholp pht