Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-06
TEDDY ANo TAFT MAKE W.
Cordial Relations Estabilshsd 0stWset
Two Presidents

Two x.PreoidentA
Washington. JuQ 6-Theodore
Roosevelt, ex-president Of tho United
States, and William II. Taft. ex-presf-
dent of the United States, have bur
led the Ratchet. The particular hatchet
has been above groun'l and waving
in the air for the greater part Of tho
last six years, and for about two years
prior to that time showed signs OF
getting into action. Tho troubles be-
tween the two ex-presidents have not
been adjusted in way to justify the
statement that they have resumed, or
will resume. their former relations Ut
cordial intimacy, but q basis OF under
standing has been reached, and 1t IL
certain that IL they should meet face
to face the greeting would be OF a
mutually happy character.
Colonel Roosevelt and Mr.. Taft have
not met on cordial terms since the
spring Of 1919. They sat near together
at the funeral Of Whitelaw Reid In
New York ana are said to have shaken
hands in perfunctory way on that
occasion. They met also at get-to-
gether rally at the Union League CluD
in New York Just before the close OF
the late presidential campaign, when
Charles E. Hughes was the republican
candidate for president. At that time
they shook hands, but there was MOTH
ing to show that they had done SO out
OF anything more than mere polite
ness.
Rumors that they had made UP their
differences are now confirmed. The
Initiative was taken by Mr.. Taft at the
time last winter when Colonel Roose-
welt was seriously i'll in Roosevelt Hos
pital Mr.. Taft sent him telegram
expressing hope for his speedy and
complete recovery. When he recovered
Colonl Roosevelt, it was learned,
sent Mr.. Taft a, telegram Of thanks,
saying in it that II was the first he
had sent to anybody who had ex-
pressed sympathy with him in his i'll
ness. Colonel Roosevelt followed this
with a letter, again thanking Mr.. Taft
and inclosing the draft Of a speech
which Colonel Roosevelt was to deliver
in the Maine campaign.
Mr.. Roosevelt asked Mr.. Taft 10
read the speech and make suggestions.
and expressed the hope that meeting
between them could be arranged. IT
is understood that this letter of Col
onel Roosevelt was Of the most cordial
character, approaching in its express
sion of friendship the communications
which the colonel had written to his
successor in presidential office during
the days of their close companionship
and aHfect:;;osa:c regard Mr.. Tafss> re
Spouse is said to have been equally
cordial. The meeting between the two
men never came, but 1t was said
they would get together some day
and that there was no doubt that the
occasion would prove that each had
decided to let bygones be bygones.
No men were closer. politically. So
ciaIly and personally. than Theodore
Roosevelt and William n. Taft. When
Colonel Roosevelt was president his
letters to Mr.. Taft, who served under
him as governor general Of the Philip
pines and secretary OF war, usually
began with the familiar Dear Will"
Following established custom, Mr.. Taft
always addressed Colonel Roosevelt in
his letter in those days Dear Mr..
President" During the period when
their intimacy continued for a short
time after Colonel Roosevelt left the
White House the espistoiary form OF
address changed to Dear Theodore
and Dear Mr.. President"