The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-23
DECLINED BY
CIV. CRANE.
Will Not Accept the Treas
uFy Portfolio.
PLACE NAY GO 10 COL. HERRICK.
business Interests Believed to Have
Caused the Massachusetts, Ex-
ecutive TO Refuse a Seat in
Mr. RoosevsIfs Cabinet.

Governor W N Crane, of Massaenu-
sets. has declined President RooseyeIt-s
invitation to enter the Cabinet to succeed
Mr. Gage as Secretary OF the Treasury.
who verbally rendered his resignation 70
the President several days ago.
It was. announced at the White House
this afternoon that this step had been
taken by Governor Crane for business
and domestic reasons.
Governor Cranes messenger, George H.
Brewer, was expected TO reach the White
House today, but up to o'clock he had
not put in an appearance. Instead. Gov
ernor Cranes deelinatiOn cane by word
Of mouth over the Iong-distance telephone
to Senator Lodge, who in turn conveyed
the information to the President.
CoIoneI zIerricI1 Mentioned.
Col Myron T. Herrick, OF Cleveland.
Ohio, it is said, viii BE rendered the
Treasur- portfolio As Mr. Herrick has
been promised the place Of Ambassador
TO Italy and as he is desirous Of living
abroad, he in turn may decline the See
retaryship If It is offered to him. Mr.
Herrick might have had the Treasury bill
let at the beginning of President Mckin-
Iey's first term, but he declined the offer.
Colonel Eerrick is the president Of the,
Society for Savings CT Cleveland. Ohio,
one Of the largest institutions OF its Kind
in the world. He is also president Of the
American Bankers Association and has
the confidence Of the business world.
Colonel HerricB has been active though
not conspicuous figure in politics for
several years The fact that Senator
Hanna was at the White House at the
time Governor Cranes refusal was an
nounced lends additional color 10 the re-
port that Mr.. Eerrick will be offered the
place, especially it. view OF Governor
Taft's declaration il Manila that he would
return to the islands after brief rest il
the United States.
Governor C-ane-s Business Affairs.
Governor Crane is the head of the z.
and " N. Crane Paper Company. Of Dal-
ton, Mass. wh.ea supplies ali the paper
for currency and bonds TO the Govern
ment. II he became Secretary of the
Treasury Governor Crane would be obliged
to withdraw that coupaBy's bids for con
tracts for paper. inas=1uch as clause Of
the revised statutes prohibits Cabinet
member from being identified with any
company competing for Government pa
tronage
TIE only alternative would be retire
rent from the firm, and this Governor
Crane thinks would involve too great a
sacrifice.
Not Pleased With Washington.
The domestic reasons are aserfbed TO
Governor Cranes dislike for Washington
life. Since the death Of his wife several
years ago he has not cared for society
AWes3ern Man Preferred
a number of New Ycrkers who called
at the White Horse today, including oscar
Straus. ex-Uni;ed States Minister TO
/ Turkey; Charles A Moore, and Capt.
Aaron Vanderbilt expressed The opinion
that the business public of the metropolis
was favorable to the selection OF & West
I eLn man as SGCI%s--s,s OF TIE treasury
( President Roosevelt fixed upon Governor
Crane not because he was from New Eng
land, b2t because he combined qualities
| rasch needed in The administration Of the
Treasury Department.
/ Senator Lodges Busy Day.
| Senator Ledge vas much in evidence at
the White House today He was one OF
| the first callers 20 arrive ard was in con
/ ference with the President for some time.
Finally he started away Meeting Secre-
tary Wilson en The stairs he drew the lat
| ter aside and the tEo held a whispered
! consultation Secretary Hay entered the
White Eorse Just after Senator Lodge
| had derarted. TIE latter was hurriedly
called back to the White House. however.
little later and informed By the Presi-
dent that Governor Crane had declined
the Treasury portfolio.
I A report is in circulation this after
noon TO the effect that Governor Shaw Of
iowa is being considered in connection
with the vacancy which VIII be caused by
the retirement of Secretary Gage from
the Cabinet