Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-16
THE FIRST SELECTION
Making Up the New Cabi-
net of the President.
MR.. HAYS RETENTION
HIGH REPUTATION OF THE SEC
RErARY THROUGHOUT EUROPE.
Other Members of the Administration
Who Will Probably Keep
Their Portfolios.
MR.. HAYS RETENTION
By VIM. E. CURTIS.

The1r fortfot10S.
By VIM. E. CURTIS.
Written for The Evening Star and the Chicago
Record Herald
John Hay is the first man to get a job
under the new administration, and he de-
serves 1t. The President has picked him
among the eighty millions or more of his
fellow-citizens the best man to con-
duct the foreign policy of the government,
and do not know of anybody on any of
tie five continents, including Australia,
New Zealand and the East and West In
dies, who will dispute the choice. No one,
not even the President himself, has done
more to acquire credit for the administra-
ton at home and elevate the government
of the United States to it's present exalted
influence abroad
The people of this country do not realize
what big man John Hay Is, or how highly
he is esteemed by the statesmen, diploma
fists, scholars and other thinking men of
Europe, because the latter can measure his
stature in proper perspective and by
standards that reveal his true proportions.
Only few days ago the London Spectator
pronounced him lone of the ablest, if not
the ablest, of living diplOmatsts and states
men, That is his rank abroad, and in
travelling around the world an Amer
lean is questioned more about John
Hay than about even the President
himself by thoughtful people. His opinion
goes farther and carries more weight than
that of any of the ministers of foreign re-
lations or ambassadors among all the pow
ers of Europe. They look to him to take
the initiative in all movements concerning
international problems of Importance and
affairs that affect the peace and welfare of
mankind. They form no plans nor frame
any policies in any of the European capitals
until he has been heard from, and they
usually follow his lead.
Fixed Limits of Hostilities.
I do not think it is generally known in the
United States that Colonel Hay fixed the
limits of hostilities in the present war.
There intense concern on that subject
in all of the European capitals, until he
notified the combatants that they must con-
fine their campaigns to Manchuria, and
both Russia and Japan promptly aSsented.
Germany did more than any other nation to
bring on the fight, and Germany was the
first to appeal to the United States to place
limitations upon the fighters. And that is
only one of many diplomatic triumphs
which Colonel Hay has placed to his credit.
1t is the opinion of the highest authorities
of the civilized world that he is the ablest
Secretary of State We have had for a CEN
tury and while that verdict may be dis
puted by gentlemen who have not agreed
with his opinions and have not been
pleased with his policies concerning certain
particular matters, 1T is evident that TheO-
dore Roosevelt is satisfied with his Secre-
tary of State, or he would not have exacted
a pledge from Colonel Hay to remain in
the cabinet another four years as soon as
he was satisfied of his own election.
Secretary Wilson.
Another member of the cabinet who will
continue at the same desk for four years
more is James Wilson. He has a steady
job as Secretary of Agriculture. The farm
ers, who are the back bone of the repub-
ican party, would never consent to his re-
trement, and none of them appreciate ms
practical usefulness more highly than the
President.
No branch Of the government, except the
Post Office Department, comes so directly
in touch with large a number of the
plain people," as President Lincoln called
them and they recognize him as one of
themselves. Since Mr.. Wilson took his
seat at the desk of the Secretary Of Agri-
culture. March 4, 1897 the appropriations
by Congress for that department have been
doubled, and its work has been extended
into every branch of agricultural research
and economy. 1t has now 1000 scientihc
men, each specialist in his particular line,
engaged in promoting the interests of the
farming community and teaching 1t how to
enhance the value of its labor, while 800
young men have been educated in the labo-
ratories of the various bureaus to teach
the students of the several agricultural col
leges In the different states, and to con-
duct the experimental farms and stock
breeding establishments that are being
conducted in different parts of the country
The Department of Agriculture used to be
an object Of ridicule, but no branch of the
government has been more highly appre-
ciated for its scientific achievements and
its practical usefulness since James Wilson
took charge
1t is known, also, that the President
places a very high value upon Secretary
Wilson's advice and judgment in both off1-
cial and political matters, and that he can
not spare him from the next administra-
ton.
Secretary Taft.
1t is expected that Secretary Taft will
stay also, although there is prevailing
impression that he is almost certain to be
appointed chief justice of the Supreme
Court In case Justice Fuller decides to re-
tire from the bench at any time. The lat
ter has reached the age of retirement, but
it lies entirely within his option.
Judge Taft may prefer to remain in ac-
tive politics and take his chances with Vice
President Fairbanks, Secretary Shaw and
other favorites that are in training for the
next presidential race. That he has ambi
tons cannot be questioned; that he is big
enough to fill the executive chair will be
admitted by everybody who sees him, and
his ways are mighty taking with the peo-
pie. Judge Taft made a very thorough
canvass OF the eastern states during the
recent campaign. and is entitled to as much
credit for the result as any speaker, ex-
cept, perhaps, Senator Fairbanks and your
Uncle Joe Cannon. So far as any one
knows. he has not intimated any intention
concerning the presidency, but would not
dispute his own eligibility.
Secretary Morton.
Secretary Morton signed for one season
only and can ask to be released on the 4th
of March. His intimate friends and former
associates have been confident that he
would get enough of official experience by
that time, and be glad to return to his old
place as vice president Of the Santa Fee
Railway Company, which has been kept
vacant for him. Mr.. Morton made great
sacrifices when he became Secretary of the
Navy, but he gratified his own pride and
ambition, as well as President Roosevelt.
by doing so, and could afford it for the
time being. He reiinquished a salary of