The gentleman from Ohio is recognized

Americans have always loved their cars and one man perhaps deserves credit for encouraging this love affair — William Howard Taft

This year the White House Historical Association has chosen to pay tribute to the 27th president and his beloved White steamer — a pre-gasoline, steam powered car, manufactured by the White Sewing Company in Cleveland — on its annual Christmas ornament.

{mosads}Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has commissioned and sold Christmas ornaments as one way to raise funds for its educational mission – namely to  “enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House.”

“The Association had tried a number of different things that would help with its mission of preserving the house and telling its story,” said William Bushong, vice president for research and new media.

That Taft should be honored this year when the fate of the auto industry was such a contentious issue in the presidential election campaign is mere coincidence.  It was his turn.  In addition to honoring presidents, the association has also marked significant milestones in the mansion’s history, including the centennial of the restoration of the White House and the building of the West Wing in 2002.

The association is careful to steer clear of modern-day politics and the incumbent president.

“People have this misguided notion that we are making ornaments that honor the current occupant. It’s always been a historical theme or approach that we’ve taken.  Some of the public confuse that,” Bushong said.

The process for selecting the ornament is a long one, and it takes about a year to produce.  Work began on the Taft ornament in March 2011 and went on sale in March of this year.  The ornament must also be made in the U.S. – ChemArt Company in Lincoln, R.I., was the manufacturer.

Unlike his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt, “Big Bill” as Taft was affectionately known, was not one for walking, as his wide girth showed.

Taft loved cars, realized their transformational potential and was a strong advocate for those produced in his home state, Ohio. He lobbied Congress for a presidential fleet.  Indeed, it gives new meaning to the phrase “As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.”

“He gave the auto industry a boost because of what he did,” Bushong said.

Still, Taft had to tangle with Congress to get the funds, and they didn’t come easily. He had to rely on his ally, House Appropriations Committee Chairman James Tawney (R-Minn.) to shepherd the funding request through Congress.

Opponents railed against more government spending, made light of the president-elect’s weight and wondered aloud about safety.  Consider this one exchange from the Congressional Record in February 1909 — which now seems rather quaint:

Rep. Thetus Sims (D-Tenn.): “The automobile furnishes a dangerous means of travel, not only for the people who ride in it, but for pedestrians.  The automobile is a genuine all-around nuisance.  I don’t want to be ‘chinkapiny’ about this, but I am not in favor of this appropriation.  I am opposed to this Congress going on record favoring automobiles as a means of travel,” 

Rep. James Mann (R-Ill.): Does the gentleman think the president should be required to use Tennessee mules?”

Rep. Thetus Sims: (D-Tenn): Tennessee mules would be safer for the president… I do not want anything done here that will amount to us saying to the automobile fanatics of the country, ‘We hereby encourage you.’ Let us vote against this thing.”

Congress eventually budgeted $12,000 for the presidential limousine fleet, which consisted of the Steamer, two Pierce-Arrow limousines, a “suburban” and a landaulet.  

The cars went up to 40 miles an hour, were green in color with the presidential seal painted on the doors on each side.  One newspaper reported at the time that “a horn of a peculiar sound will be adopted for the executive “honk-honk,” so that the machines will be recognized.”

Given their fondness for socializing about town, the Tafts would have been easily recognizable on the streets of Washington.  On one occasion they even managed to slip out of the White House on foot without being detected by the Secret Service to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas Eve and call on friends.  Panic ensued until the first couple returned safely and smiling arm in arm some hours later.

The White House Christmas Ornament is double-sided, depicting President Taft on one side and the first lady on the reverse side bearing holiday gifts. It will be on display on the Christmas tree in the White House Blue Room, a tradition started by President and Mrs. Reagan in the 1980s.  

If you’re not fortunate enough to get an invite to one of the many White House parties this holiday season, you can always stop by The Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, just blocks from the White House.  This year they’ve adorned their tree in the main foyer with several sets of all 31 White House Christmas ornaments.

And in an effort to foster bipartisanship and good relations with Speaker John Boehner (R), President Obama need look no further than the White House Christmas tree for a gift idea for the gentleman from Ohio.