Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-12-28
DoINGs IN WASHINGTON.


Washington, Dec. 2S.-The return
to Washington this week of Secre-
tary of War Taft has officially open
ed the winter presidential campaign
season. There Is certain TO be In
creased activity in the camps of the
different rivals for the Republican
nomination from now on. Mr.. Taft's
literary bureau" In Columbia Is
working overtime in keeping mem
bers OF congress supplied with nice
fresh literature extolllng the virtues
OF their candidate and insisting with
various turns OF written speech that
he is the only available candidate
for the Republican party TO choose
at It's convention In June. AZ the
same time, Senator Knox and Vice
President Fairbanks are furnishing
up the brasswork on their booms and
preparing to get into action. Sena-
tor Foraker also has aroused him
self and IL now engaged in an effort
to force the Taft people to an open
test OF strength In Ohio. "Uncle joe
Cannon Is not saying much, but II
Is noticeable that he Is chewing up
more cigars now than formerly
trick that always betrays the fact
that the speaker is engaged In deep
thought Former Secretary OF the
! Treasury Shaw has been running
over to Washington from New York
quite frequently OF late, and he has
not denied that he Is in a very re-
ceptive mood In fact. there Is 1T
lite doubt that when the presidential
lightning flashes II will disclose a
ceritable forest OF lightning rods.
THE action OF tho New York Repub-
lican County Committee In postpon-
ling the endorsement OF Governor
Hughes candidacy is not regarded
as having hurt Hughes chances.
AS had been expected, Represen-
tative Theodore Il. Burton of Ohio
4 has been reappolnted chairman of
the Rivers and Harbors Committee
OF the House. For many weeks Mr.
Burton has fought against a return
10 the leadership of this committee
ID being his expressed desire to be
left free TO work independently on
the floor Of the House. His deep
knowledge of the subject of water
ways, however, made him especially
fitted for this assignment and Speak
er Cannon insisted upon his accept
ing another term. Mr.. Burton mas
changed greatly within the last iour
years on the subject of appropria-
tions for waterway Developments lie
has kept down bills TO the minimum
in the interest of economy, but at the
recent convention of the Nationai
Rivers and Harbors Congress, helu
here early this month, he made
known his conversion to the pat
form of the organization and saiu
that he agreed with It that the time
had come when not less than $oO''
900. 600 a year should be fixed upon
as the sum to be expended by the
government in developing the rivers
and harbors of the country. Juagihs
from this statement, Mr.. Burton
,ooI,. u,itb favor upon the EFFORTS
being made by members OF the Ma
ltional Rivers and Harbors Congress
to have an appropriation bill passeu
at this session. 1t is considered ap-
lsolutely essential that work on wa,-
erway improvements be pushed WIN
the utmost rapidity because OF .ne
great growth of commerce ana 'no
complete inability OF the ra'''o"D
to keep pace with it.
There has been a veritable epi
demic of grip in official circles uuilns ,ls
the last few weeks. 1t has attacA,u
and made prisoners an unusua :
great number of senators ana rep'e
sentatives and laid two memoe's
the cabinet by the heels. bo'n g. g.
lretarv Of the Navy MNtcalf and seo
ratarv cortelyon hav. been IN peu
and under the care of physicians ~,
a number of days. The secretary -
Ma an especially mar"