William Howard Taft
By Tara Lynch
Chief Civil Manager
- Sent to Philippines in 1900 by McKinley as chief civil manager
- Very sympathetic towards Filipinos
- Improved their economy, built roads and schools, gave the people some participation in government
The Unknown Myth
It is rumored that Taft once got stuck in his bathtub! Weighing 340 lbs, it is said it took several men to get him unstuck. Although it is not known as a fact and can never be proved, Taft was a big guy and had to have custom sized beds and furniture.