The Washington times., 1920-05-14
Presidents and Pics
An Interesting Account of Washingto Fso
pie of Yesterday and Today BY the Wife
of the WeA.KnOUn DipLonafisf = /
By Mrs Lsrx Anderson ri
BY Mrs. Lars Anderson.

ness. he was particularly well Mt
ted for the Office, not only on ac-
count OF his splendid record as
Judge. but also because OF the ex-
ecutiye experience gained while
governor or the Philippines ans
later as Secretary OF War.
Mr.. Taft was always wholesome
and radisted geniaiity. He has .
nnely developed sense OF humor
which buoyed him up in the days OF
party adversely. One enthusiastic
admirer wrote 10 him TO ignore the
sings and arrows OF his enemies as
history would accord him a place
second only TO Washington. With
an expansive smile that cannot be
reproduced in words. the President
inquired, why lug In Washing
TOM"
A daring Independent newspaper
in New York once disposed OF
cleveland's qualifications editorially
and ironically by the laconic state
ment, HE Is a good man. weighing
go pounds" Now President Taft Is
and was a good man In every sense.
ana weighed even more than go
pounds. although he carried IL well.
having been from boyhood a great
athlete. At Yale he was the cham
pion wrestler. and throughout his
later life he has taken long daily
walks. and. whenever possible, has
INDUCED his taste for golf.
Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Root were
known to be devoted friends; when
the former went to the Philippines,
he had severe illness, and during
the period Of convalescence received
a sympathetic inquiry from Secre-
to 70 he nf
health. Taft cabled that he had
sufficiently recovered to make II
possible for him to take long ride
on his horse, to which Root replied
by wire, "Fine. How's the horse"
Presidents Aunt DeIia.-
His affection for his aged aunt,
Miss Della Torrey. became matter
of general knowledge. She was
sterling character and her New
England thrift delighted the Presi-
dent. One of his typical stories re-
garding her concerned a recipe for
making drop cakes which she was
asked to give to his sister-in-law
Aunt Della specified the ingredients
and proportions with painstaking
detail, including a small quantity OF
lard. adding that IL the cakes were
being made for company. use but
ter"
He always had a strong liking for
General Edwards. who has lately
become quite a prominent hgure IN
New England. They tell story
about the two men which is worth
repeating.
1t seems that General Edwards.
an active and progressive member
of the Chevy Chase Club in Wash
ington, was partially responsible
for the design of the new club
house. When 1T was finished-a
long. low structure of gray stone.
OF considerable beauty-the General
tried to induce the President to go
out and inspect ii. Mr.. Taft finally
. peralized the General for his per-
sistency by a written statement
in which. unfortunately. the twinkle
could not be transmitted-declar
that he regarded the new e0ifice as
a splendid specimen of pure peni-
tentiary colonial.
A house-painter once asked tho
President for an appointment to
the Cabinet-preferabl he said.
as Secretary of Commerce and
Labor. Feeling unable to grant
this request, Mr.. Taft tried to soften
his refusal by explaining that a
Cabinet portfolio called for big
man. but the applicant retortcd,
much to Mr.. Taft's delight. that II
the President would appoint him to
the position he would then be big
man,
There can be no doubt about ihe
genuine regard which Mr.. Taft ieIC
for Colonel Roosevelt before tie
catastrophe which rent their rH-
1ations and split great political
party~ Their friendship. begun in
the Harrison administration, had
ripencd by long intercourse into
steady affection. Even after the
schism, Taft delighted in comment
ing upon situations which he knew
would appeal TO the Coloncls sense
of humor.
Copyright. Houghton, Miflin Co)
ITO He Continued TOmorrOw.)