Show I TAFT T p FT ON TH THE PLATFORM PLA BY ROBERT LEE LEE- LEEDUNN DUNN I. I lr I 0 I t Rn r G il rJ i 1 oiA f OJ t C tr t t r 1 I C t r J t J JA A. A II LI I l i j i VII V- V 6 f 1 J 3 IV V r i. i r j 1 7 GW r. r r c I IW j 1 t f lH g I J ii- ii I t L i Y It 1 t J A I t g k 1 I rT r J. J i r i t tI 1 t f 1 J j 1 1 r. r iv j. V 7 IANI et 4 r J JJ wt I t. t r r A t. t J a J 00 t. t I J f. f l T T 1 1 c i 1 t 4 I 1 N 10 j. j t t io I t J. i r. r t i f J I a y R 4 t Y of t r 1 i 1 i I ft l o I. I 2 i 9 IW 4 I Y j J f n l I t. t 1 i f i 9 v q I 1 ft y W 1 Wh h I i- i F r t ir I 1 u cr 4 I r. r 14 J. J fl l r F f t 1 i r t j j- j 1 7 y 1 i r t 4 1 J i r- r tr 01 l t. t A Jr ff o y 1 J t t- t j I. I it J 4 1 i 4 E I 1 II oJ I q l 1 10 j P I I 1 4 r- r t I i f Y f g Ov r it v h t e 1 L 7 i t. r. r n 1 f t. t tle t l I I 7 j I d Il 3 mE i 1 J tI 4 l N v i f n I 1 v fi r A ry I r 1 f fsr I I s b t Ir Irn l f t t w if I. I Itt 7 w l' l Iii Jj t. t 1 t. t M Jo t l. l Jf t x iw- iw 0 j m r i t ry r rK n A f If a I I I r r t r I m i o 7 K I t- t 2 M oj lj t. t H k dr oJ P r. r JI i j t ht r ii IJ t it I r I I x L z f J. J I I l I f l i lL l- l r v t r. r i 7 1 rt ot T tI I t Ir 1 J Ji r Ii I I t. t J J rr- rr N I I i I V m o. o IiI l i tI t- t 14 V t- t r 7 t f l' l t J UL I y 0 r w 1 r try t J 2 So- So A i iv f f tI i. i x lff r WU 4 f. f l M I w 0 r I. I I A Iy- t J I t it l 1 J. J y f. f i. i t t T. T 4 ah j 4 4 7 4 A Y YV f V v 3 1 F a i v o Gi 0 6 0 t O. v i. i Ii f t o. J I I I A small small crow crowd of tf m men 1 gathered at al 1 wayside station out in Missouri aw afew a n restively In Iii few w ago standing e chill chili wind awaiting the Incoming f a n w westbound train Tho Tim train in was waa tf tt but the thc crowd won teas eager cager and ex- ex They had heard beard that the sectary sec fCC tary of war the probable next Pre Ire pl nent ent nt of ot the United States state was aboard sId lid they were anxIous to lo get just agin a 0 gin ht of ot him They hop hoped d for tor no more that hat hatas was as enough to satisfy mUsty them If IC Ife they again Ie to e never nC came that way uld always say they had hod seen Dill Bill aft and some gome of or them had come ten 11 1 09 8 In fin wagons over awful roads for tat lal sole ole I purpose The train usually tOl d only long enough for the con- con to dash danh Into the telegraph otc of- of e c et scratch his name train number nd id time in tn a book get his orders and to pull pun out ten len signal to the engineer dispatch dispatch- ut fate tate willed that the train r should hould see fit nt to do differently with 10 U train that day At last la t the whistle was heard up The big engine came roar- roar sP If r- r Ig ig tg down the rails and cl clanked by byle station bringing the train to a sto stop le to air Ther The of the exhaust shriek Ith a It i J r r 0 scanned the Uw car windows close- close closet t They were beginning to be P- P started a but some ome one ng cheer and it passed along the t. t t r e Ho lie nl lt I comfortable in to The big secretary engrossed with Ith two Vo deeply tire lire waa was official corree corre- corre staff on his business w e and and reports At th the sound fF the t e cheer he looked up What's that Oh we C have ha visits visit visit- s halt half alf a n minute We Ye are here but with his fore tore his secret secretary no t on the Itinerary nger r r i I 1 dont don't care answered the good- good his papers mored giant clant dropping dT swinging off the on a hat bat and aln to tos I 1 Will Ill In be held here ten minutes sold said the con- con Secretary s J 93 13 3 Mr ictor at al the steps That's good Another Al r and a very vel hearty cheer popular of the at the sight Biehl ent up 1 dol 7 across c his bis amle amye am am- hands rands Taft folded MB his f smiled that and le ye stomach little arable smile which begins bt 1118 In and ripples awa wa vs ollo at his chin creases that run ul uj the thc laughing ito his temples from h his eyes oyce cross crO 5 moments moment's silence Jangling J Jangling J Jan a u hero horo was stood directly t 11 angling boy who an the they secre seere fixed by br- Font com or him was G tails tail's s blue ey eyes S Ito no was wog profound embarrassed ed and sold said nervously In it self defense Hello nella there Hello Bello son i 1 Glad to to see lee you ou I What's your our name Jake Miner Miller Shucks its it's Skinny aint It tel let fellers lers lera interposed Jakes Jake's best beat friend Well Yell Skinny w we would make d tj poll pit wouldn't we Youre not as big as as I 1 thought yoube you yoube yoube be Mister r Taft observed a man at th left m. m IMS Ilig ns as lie He Can tin Do ne not my fault 1 eat often and I eat lots answered l the distinguished distinguished distin distin- visitor The crowd laughed to make malte up a speech asked another of Skinny's friends friend Say do you know answered red the big man shaking his head sadly my friend the brakeman here must not like liko this town 1 could have fixed up upa upa a nice little speech for tor you but at thelast the thelast that was QS last stop we made he 11 told me the only place they wanted a good speech and I gave It to them You'll have o to send t nd over and get it or 01 else or the take it out of the brakeman railroad company but 1 I heard a good stol story the other day another and He Dc told the story then then another and when wh the engine engI climbed on the me he be ring to bell eU ell began stood tood there waving his hie step and gad car or hand stand back at the laughing crowd ro Frowd until tho they w were re lost loet to view Iw by a group of trees reel 8 Ire By George this townships township's gone Democratic since the 1110 war observed the he grain el elevator boss bOM but I bet m my this Republican old bat hat shoes she's straight I trip searching for a finer example example ex ex- If It I were manner in which William of the ample In tn contact with the Taft TaCt comes II great American public I could not typical of his way no Is find It It This whether It be a crowd croWl of ot farmers farmen farm farm- farmere matter maller wayside or a IL large body of I at the ers ere distinguished men in evening dress at banquet orne club A J minster l of Men t l to the front al always al- al Il lie goi go goes s a straight manner manner manner man man- plain frank with vUlt the same me ways aB because be- be bonhomme careless s a ner never n. friends he lie Is ts among he lie knows s cause luis lu tic because suavity sua guarded guarde 1 never nevor a enemies Th The certain he Is among is Americans Americana If It at people are ore fellow human beings it 1 U fellow and home he makes no 1 attempt u and abroad them sincerely ln on impose ImpO H It is 15 absolutely honest that since Ince he the his own facts and premises es that ho he will be on pleasant ground with every even honest man among them and anel as us to what the dishonest may moy do or think he does doell not care the snap of or his finger I Indoors his hl approach to the stand is 18 never nver an easy matter mattel unless there 1 is isa I a 0 private entrance Nine Kino out of or ten times he must come through the I crowd and never nver will the they have left I quite enough room for tor him to pass One meeting I recall the place was packed Kite lOte ft figs in a basket with a little bit of a narrow n aisle between humanity laden chairs leading from the side door to the rostrum The secretary stopped looked at the path and at the people nearest to him i Some of you ou have got to come out I before I come in I am two-man two wide and it IL dont don't help matters if I try togo to togo go sideways Also I I. I warn you not notto notto notto to get stepped on Suppose we carry corry you up upA suggested suggest suggest- ed the nearest man a big brawny Irishman Irish man Thank you but I want you to stay and hear my speech h. h and that will be he hard enough even for a husky fellow like hike you ou He lie Is Always Modest If he Is late which Is very seldom I for tor he believes In being on time it is Iii him to enter Impossible to persuade n. n and Interrupt the tho speaker then men on the 1110 platform He lIe always 1 defers deters to the rights of the man who has ban the floor When he reaches the platform he seems disinclined to march moch to the place of honor always reserved for tor him glancing about to see ec if it he cannot find tome some one else more worthy to Oil fill it That is one great greal fault his friends fin find with him while he is 18 impregnable in his bIB determinations and always suro sure of or his hl opinions and policies he believes cs there are so many other olber greater I wiser Iser and better botter men around him hint that ho he 10 Is 18 willing to put himself at constant I disadvantage Past experience has taught him tobe to tobe tobe be careful of his chairs chain TIe Tic always settles settle into them guardedly Many a aIno ne f did piece of ot furniture has bas has has' gone Sone on for tor years ears supporting human frames and earning respect and affection from its owners ownen Its Us weaknesses never suspected suspected sus sus- petted until Secretary Taft Tart has baa come como along and deposited Ills his three hundred pou pounds da on It It Then It has Iras been re rev tired Ure A curiosity vendor In Manila was of ot boring a a. chair for tor sale Bale its Us claim fr ic unusual price being that it was wan th thone thone one one ne which h Taft T ft sat on when ho he nci One It the ho Philippine n Governor Smith who ho happened to tit git next to tr Mr Taft raft on this particular occasion listened thoughtfully to the Spaniards Spaniard's picture oC of o the tha glory that must hang haul around It In years ears to come Ill take it it said the tho th governor Its about the souvenir value alue Taft Tnt rat in It 11 is the main thin thins so I know Its It's a good gOOtt chair Model or of Courtesy r. r A broad smile and a friendly nor noo nod I with perhaps a wave nave of or tho the hand pant handS handIs Is S tho the secretary's response to tho unfailing un un- failing falling applause o attendant on hi his appearance rance and then ho to the serious business of or the meeting listening listening lis Its toning with absorption to every er c word wort of or tho the speakers who prY precede ede him an and thoroughly unconscious of the attention atten atten- tion lion diverted to himself This is b by no nc means a pose or Intended to compliment ment the speaker or audience Ho Ito listens because ho he knows he is going coins to learn something and ho he has hns athirst a n. athirst thirst for information as somo men thirst for tor drink and anel some somo women for admiration Also it Is plain that ho he is not thinking about his own OWl speech It has been my opportunity to sit with man many of ot tho greatest men of ot recent years and be present on the platform where hero I could watch them th n-i n closely close and andI I must say that nil of or them with the exception of Taft Tart gave av little lithe signs sl ns of or being conscious that In a few ew minutes they themselves es el would bo ho speaking and were engaged in preparing preparing- little things to fit tho the make mako up or 01 the special humor of or the or were ero preparing preparing pre pre- paring to trim what they had to sa say sayto sayto to agree arco with or to oppose the views of sf the man who was then speaking When hen his time timo comes conies he lie snips stepa slowly slowly slow slow- ly b to tho the front his eye ec roving the soa sea seaf of or f faces be before oro him and it Is certain to o alight on some one ono wearing ring a wel wol- welcoming coming oming smile Tho bi big man smiles emiles back baek and then ho he smiles at tho the people who vho are not smiling smiling- and they I ly y loosen up and smile themselves Tho ho speaker evidently e r r fuses to 1111 immediately im Sm- mediately tako take the situation seriously Brings q Good Cheer Char Out in a little town in Michigan whore where I In w everybody there was vas a n. big wholesome whole country count doctor who never nover tool took nn any and interest In an politics and hata hada liar hat a little leaning toward Prohibition on I 11 iC anything and re m any a a. lime timo when calling call call- calling callIng ing on a a. patient t t ho was very cry Ilk likely eh tc to forget to leave any medicine but novel never failed to tell 2 xo o or three good stories In times Umes of local tribulation tribulation tribu tribe lation when whon there was a warm session session ses sea sion slon of ot to tou ship trustees sonio somo somo on oat one would IY send for fol Doc floe and ho come como In an and talk the th trouble oz o or sr r with his fellow fello townsmen townsmen towns towns- owns owns' men and thereafter the they usually fountan fount an nn easy way a of or settlement That Is 19 Just tho the way that Tait has hai often otten Impressed mo me when he to a crow crowd When I attempt to describe 1 It ItI I feet feel as if It I had paralysis of or t the the- e ad nd j It is not fatherly atherl It is no not In Jio aio way a of an oracle it is slot not a vernacular has it Jollying it 1 t h hnot not diverting yet ct it is something o 0 all nU four It c c the situation got goU dozen down to braces bru tacks good goot and am produces wisdom with laughter On ono one Taft mu must t r ceh 1 r a a. large delci delegation Ution ullon of Filipino chiefs chie To ro speak to them in English would w ld b 1 foolish to speak Spanish wout 1 sti leave l C a some ome ono one out of or tho circle of I understanding an and so ho lie r them Informally and observing tin th thone that ono one of or tho the chiefs had a n. watch a achain ar and chain put to tho front with some sonic sma small Dhow Taft looked at it H asked about aba it ft showed his own and ancI the iho entire del dele dele- gallon gation was as interested am and delight a as a a. lot of or boys hos There Thoro arc are times when a man in pul pu pub I He lie life lIr must discuss matters malleIs from tl the I platform in words that are arc exact an at and carefully cho chosen en Ho lIe must not h la lay I him himself open to misinterpretation an as and I must prepare to avoid being misquoted ed especially when a n. hostile press 1 Is J ready read to seize seizo on any pretext for di Hs- Hs or to make mako a 0 false alEe Impression Then ho must use UfO manuscript and antI Tal Ta I II docs does this occasionally I la Is a Very Careful Man Mau When ho does docs his hearers ma may 1 b be suro that his remarks s havo have a a. gre Importance Ho He keeps the manuscrIpt in the background and leads lends up t tIts I to Its introduction reluctantly sometimes sometime taking ten or fifteen minutes of or o of ort hand speech to pavo the tho way wa Even then he will pau pause e at times time throw it down and talk straight from fron the shoulder taking tal-Ing off of his gl glasse and holding them by the bridge as hi h he drives es straight at his listeners with wit marvelous force and clearness His Ills voice Is that of or an honest man mai and is commensurate with his size I It Is S nearly impossible for him to dro drop its Is tone tono to a whisper Ho He has no occasion occasion oc oc- casion for whispering and I havo have beet beer with him when there delegation delegations waiting on him with inquiries ant and propositions and not ono one word of or n what whai ha hahey they hey said ald could be heard ten feet away On n the other othel hand when Taft raft spoke I its his words were clear and amI plain to al all bout about Whenever ho has anything he hi toes does not wl with wish h to sa say he sa says 8 nothing it at t alt all all he has no uso use for rOl and ind lid conniving it is not consonant with Ills his us open frank nature l. l For or large audiences ho lo has a better oleo rolco than even cven the one ono possessed possesse by b Ins his dear |