Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29
MR.. TAFT PREDICTS
ROOT ACHIEVEMENT
''WiII Do a Great, an Ameri-
can, Work in Russia" De-
cIares Former President.
CONFERS WITH Mr.. WILSON

Former President Taft had a short
conference at the White House yester-
day with President Wilson on the sub
ject of coming Red Cross activities dur
ing the war, but no announcement Of
new plans MAS fortheominE after the
visit M. TAFT preferring that anything
that is to be said on the subject shall
come from Red Cross headquarters when
plans are nearer maturity.
Mr.. Taft is chairman Of the central
committee OF the Red Cross and Mr..
Wilson is president Of the organization.
When Mr.. Taft was asked how much
money the organization contemplates
raising and what its needs will be he
was only willing to say that the sum
is SO large that he did not want to men,
ton 1t, "for fear Of frightening people"
but the people will respond" he said,
confidently.
Many Personal Greetings.
Mr.. Taft was visitor to the White
House offices while waiting until Presi-
dent Wilson had concluded engagements
in his study at the residence with pre-
vious visitors. The former Presidents
arrival was made the occasion for
reception in the Offices of Private Sec
retary Tumuity. He shouted Hello. old
fellow" to Rudolph Forster as he came
in, and other White House officials and
newspaper correspondents crowded
around to pay their respects. Mr.. Taft
greeted most Of those who came to say
'show do to him by their first names or
had an otherwise personal greeting for
every one
The former President expressed the
highest satisfaction at the selection of
Elihu Root to head the commission
which is to go to Russia.
'.Mr. Root" the former head of the
nation said. will do a great. an Amer
ican work. over there. His experience
in the Philippines, in Cuba and in Porto
Rico-pioneering in law and in gov
ernmental problems for the United
States. we will call it-especially fits
him for what he may be called upon to
do"
Russia's Constitution.
In response to the suggestion that
Mr.. Root, because of his knowledge Of
law, might be called upon to assist in
writing and advising upon the constitu-
ton of Russia in case a republic Is
formed in that country, Mr.. Taft said:
well, you know, he really wrote the
constitution of the Philippines. The
basis Of it is to be found in a letter
from Mr.. Root to President Mckinley"
Mr.. Taft was called on the long dis
tance telephone Friday night at Hamp-
ton. Va. by Hugh Wallace of Washing
lister Balfour Of Great Britain at din
ner, Mr.. Wallace asking the former
President to join the dinner party,
which he did. While in Washington.
Mr.. Taft said. he thought it expedient
for him to confer with President Will
son on Red Cross matters. SO he
dropped in" Informally at the White
House. Mr.. Taft returned to his home
at New Haven last night
Has Been on Tour Of South.
The former President has been max,
ing q long speaking trip in the SOUTH
He looks very well. and in response to
inquiries for the health of w. w.
Mischler, who was one of Mr.. Taft's
secretaries when he was President, and
who is still in Mr.. Taft's service. he
saids
"Oh. It is Misch' who gets me about
the country. He personally conducts
me by absent treatment. He buys me
q months railroad tickets. all in order
in an envelope. and then start out
and go the places he has bought tick
cts for"
Mr.. Taft has been speaking in sup
port of conscription in the various
cities . he has u, - lately visited; He said
clined to be very apathetic about the
subject of the war. but are gradually
awakening. he believes. He has found
that the employers of the large plants
at which he has spoken are anxious
for conscription rather than the volun-
teer system for raising an army. be-
cause of the necessity Of keeping
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