Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1905-11-16
A new CABINET OFFICE.
LIKELIHOOD or CREATIOV OF DE.
P4RTMENT or IYSUL4R AFFAIRS.
Field Covered by Secretary of War
Considered Too Vice - President
May Suggest Change 10 Congress.

Since the war with Spain, the enor-
nous growth Of the business OF the
| War Department has given rise To an
oft expressed opinion in high govern
ment circles that the time is fully ripe
! for the creation Of another executive
department 10 handle the control of
the island affairs Of the government.
II is predicted that the President will
make some such suggestion in his
forthcoming message 10 Congress.
Following the Spanish War, the War
Department naturally took control of
the Island possessions that came TO the
United States as a result of that con-
hlct These islands. Cuba. Porto Rico
and the philippines, fell 10 the care Of
tie War Department as long as they
were under military rule, but when
civil government took the place of
martial law they were still left with
the War Department
Kept From state Department..
1t would seem natural for them to
belong 10 the Department of State. but
they have been purpOscly kept from
the province of that department IN or
Ter that foreign powers might not
b.. 20 "A chance 10 say anything about
them. The bureau Of insular affairs
was 'AfAAih ~ AAAtAtl 10 QUESTIONS
affecting our island possessions. but
this bureau has been under the imme-
date control Of the Secretary Of War.
and out Of reach Of foreign represent
ativcS.
With the turning Of Cuba over TO
the tubauS and the passing of Porto
Rico Ia the State Department aud
Guam and Tutuilla TO the Navy De-
purimcut. matters became cNcu more
involved.
Burden Too Great.
Almost of greater Importance, at
present, than the Philippines. il tie
canal zone. Secretary Taft tried to
Shunt this burden 10 the shoulders Oi
Secretary Root but failed in his at
tempt. lie is now preparing 10 make
visit 10 the isthmus 10 see how the
work on the big ditch is progressing.
Mr.. Root declared that the bureau OF
insular affairs was better equipped
10 handle canal affairs than auy other
department of the government.
However, when Secretary Taft
left for the Philippines and 1t was
understood that Mr. Root would be-
come Secretary OF State, il was said
to be Secretary Tafrs wish that the
canal matter be transferred to Mr.. Root
and there has been much speculation |
during the summer and fall as TO Who |
would eventually oversee this big job |
On one hand 1t has been realized that |
Secretary Taft has had a great deal |
more than his proportiOnate share of |
government work and responsibility, |
and again IL was understood that one |
OF the arguments used by the President |
TO induce Mr.. Root TO re-enter the Cab |
met was the Presidents personal de |
sire that he should undertake the d. |
rection OF the can work. His accept |
ance Of the trust would have enabled |
Secretary Taft TO devote more OF his |
time TO important Philippine govern |
ment questions and the business of the |
army generally. II seems TO have been |
decided, however, that Mr.. Taft is to |
continue permanently as the Panama !
canal builder. this decision having been |
reached at recent Cabinet meeting
These questions. together with queS- 4,
tons relating To the general staff the |
reorganization of the army, and other |
internal affairs. have made the Secre |
tary by far the hardest worked man |
in the Cabinet