Evening star., 1901-12-23
Gov. Crane Declines to Be Secretary
Of the Treasury.
MYRON HERRlCK MAY Be CHOSEN
Wenneker Will Not Be Collector
of Internal Revenue.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

reasons he was forced to reluctantly de-
cline the tender Of the position Of Secretary
of the Treasury to succeed Secretary Gage.
This tender was made to Governor Crane by
the President personally early last Friday
morning, and Governor Crane, who is a
close personal friend of Senator Lodge,
asked until today for consideration Of the
offer.
When summoned to Washington Gov
ernor Crane did not know why he had been
called here, and the tender was surprise
to him. He Immediately returned to Massa-
chusetts to consult with his close friends
as to what he should do, his own inclina-
tions being opposed to acceptance.
Governor Crane, as stated in The Star, is
a member of the firm that makes the paper
for the treasury, from which all paper
money Is printed.
The contract is an important one and to
have accepted the position would have
meant complete severance of his business
relations with the paper establishment at
Dalton. This establishment was founded
by Gov. Cranes father and has been in the
Crane family for many years. The inter-
ests Of the concern are too important for
Gov. Crane to completely withdraw from
the firm.
The governor Of Massachusetts also firm
ly believes that the people Of his state
would not willingly approve Of his resign
ing his office, which they regard as one of
the highest honors they can confer. This
feeling had much weight with Gov. Cranes
decision.
Gov Cranes social ambitions are not ex-
tensive. His wife died some time ago and
he has since led a most retired life, going
into society little, devoting himself to his
executive and business duties and giving
literally of his wealth to charitable and
benevolent objects.
Vain Efforts to Induce Him to Accept.
Senator Lodge and other friends of Gov
ernor Crane were in close communication
with him by long distance telephone, urg-
ing him to change his mind but they were
unable to make change in his views.
Senator Warren of Wyoming, who was
with the President today, said that Gov
ernor Crane is a financial prodigy and a
wonder as a business man. He has made
millions in business investments and gives
thousands away in charity each year.
The President has no other person in mind
for the secretaryship Of the treasury and
will now give consideration to the subject.
One Of the names prominently mentioned is
that of Myron Herrick of Cleveland, Ohio,
the head of one of the largest banking con-
Germs In the world. Mr.. Herrick was one
of the bosom friends Of President McKin-
ley, being among the few men who was
invited to the White House by President
Mckinley to spend days as his guest. Pres
fdent Mckinley some time before his death
asked Mr.. Herrick to accept the Italian
mission, and Mr.. Herrick Is now arranging
his affairs to go there within about year.
There is no doubt of Mr.. Herrick's ability
to handle the treasury portfolio.
Biography of President johnson.
Representative Brownlow Of Tennessee
presented the President today with a biog-
raphy of the late President Andrew John
son. 1t was prepared by Rev. ]. s. Jones
Of Greenville Tenn, under the direction Of
Mrs. Martha Patterson, daughter Of Pres
ident johnson, who was mistress of the
White House during his administration. The
gift was presented on behalf Of Andrew
Johnson Patterson of Greenville.
Invitations to q banquet.
Oscar Strauss, president of the New York
board of trade and transportation, and a
committee from the board, consisting #
Lewis Nixon. Capt. Aaron Vanderbilt and
Charles A. Moore, were in Washington to-
day In quest Of speakers for the annual
banquet of that organization, to be given at
the Waldorf-Astoria January 20. Justice
White, Senator Hanna and Postmaster Gen.
eral Smith accepted Invitations. The COM
mittee visited the President today, but he
reluctantly declined.
Wenneker Declines an once.
Charles F. Wenneker, WHO was recently
nominated for collector Of internal revenue
of st. Louis to succeed H. c. Grenner has
informed the President that he will not ac-
cept the position. Charges involving Wen
neker's character were filed, but Wenneker
did not care enough for the position to en-
ter into a contest and SO he has declined
the position. Wenneker was appointed as
a compromise candidate to settle the fight
between the Kerens and anti-Kerens fac
tions.
An Army Lieutenancy.
Representative Ball Of Texas asked the
President today to appoint o. C. Drew OF
Houston, Texas, as lieutenant In the reg
ular army. Mr.. Drew is brother Of Major
Alfred Drew. the first American officer
killed at Manila. Il do not believe demo-
crat should bother the administration about
political offices, but in army matters the
republicans have no monopoly said Mr..
Bah.
Ex-Governor J. s. Hogg and Representa-
tive De Granenreid of Texas, Captain w.
M. Meredith Of the bureau of engraving
and printing, and his sOn-in-law, Charles
Borras Of Chicago, were among the Presi-
DENTS visitor =.
Callers Not Acceptable This Week.
Owing to the Presidents desire to spend
as much time during the Christmas week
holidays as possible with his family he
will receive only such visitors as have
pressing business needing immediate dis
position. The President has had great
rush of visitors for three months and has
worked hard in his office for hours each
day listening to all kinds of politfcal
stories. He feels that he Is entitled to some
respite during the holidays. After January
he will resume his regular Office hours.
Talking About Michigan Matters.
Senators Mcmillan and Burrows, by ap-
pointment, had long talk with the Presi-
dent this morning about Michigan affairs.
Secretary Wilson called upon the Presi-
dent this morning with Horace Plunkett
the vice president Of the department OF
agriculture of ireland. Mr. Plunkett was
cordially received by the President and In
vited to lunch with him this afternoon. He
accepted the invitation.
Colonel John N. Partridge, who will run
the police affairs Of New York for several
years to come under Mayor-elect Low, win
have q talk with President Roosevelt this
afternoon about police appointments In the
city of New York.
C. Makowsky, the Russian painter who
beg4n q portrait of the President some
time ago. has nearly completed his work.