Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-03
Guesses About Burton if He
Loses Senatorship.
TWO PLACES MENTIONED
May Get Either the Treasury OF
State Portfolio.
TAFT SAYS NOTHING
MIR
Declines to Discuss Makeup of His
Cabinet Until Ready to Make
Official Announcement.

HOT SPRINGS, Va, December 8
President-elect Taft made it decidedly
plain today that no information for pub
lication might be expected from him re-
garding the makeup of his cabinet until
he Is ready to make the official announce
ment of the entire cabinet. Acting on
this declaration he declined to discuss the
report from Cleveland that Representa-
tive Theodore E. Burton of Ohio had been
offered the Treasury portfolio.
That the report respecting Mr.. Burton
has foundation is the belief here of those
who know Mr.. Taft's high regard for the
abilities of the Ohio representative.
The present situation with respect to
the matter is understood here to be that
Mr. Burton has been told by Mr.. Taft
that he may be invited to accep a cab
met position, and that either the Treas
ury or the State Department may be avail
able in this connection. That more
definite understanding could not be had
is due, In part at least, to The position of
Mr. Burton as candidate for the Senate.
This situation makes it plain that a
positive statement cannot be made at
this time as to what Mr.. Burtons con-
nection with the next administration will
be. Should he fail in his ambition for
the Senate it is regarded as a good
guess that he will enter the Taft cabinet
Mr.. Taft has heretofore spoken very
highly of Mr.. Burton's understanding of
financial matters and his general high
craftsmanship qualities.
Vorys at Hot Springs.
Arthur l. Vorys. Mr.. Taft's Ohio chief
of staff during the campaign. and now
actively engaged in promoting the sena-
torial fight of c. P. Taft, stopped here
today on his way from Washington to
Cincinnati. He will have a conference
with Judge Taft late today. Mr.. Vorys
says he believes that c. p Taft will sue
ceed Mr.. Foraker in the Senate.
That Representative Theodore E. Bur-
ton of Ohio has been offered the port
folio of Secretary of the Treasury is
generally believed in Washington. For
years the Cleveland representative has
made study of questions of finance. ana
the addition of another member TO the
House committee on banking and cur
rency last winter by Speaker Cannon in
order to appoint Mr.. Burton to that COM
mittee when currency reform was to be
enacted into law was considered a fit
ity 1t is known that Mr.. Burton would
rather have the position of Secretary of
the Treasury than any other portfolio
At the same time his selection to the
cabinet would clear up the senatorial
situation in Ohio it is believed
Burton Prefers Senate Seat.
Mr.. Burton himself IS inclined to prefer
seat in the Senate to a place in the
cabinet. Fer that reason it is believed
he will withhold his answer to the prof
fered cabinet position until after the.
senatorial situation In Ohio has clarified
When asked concerning the report that
he had been selected for Secretary of the
Treasury, Mr. Burton said today that his
name unfortunately had been mention ID
in connection with a number OF positions.
Some of them. he explained, were mere
conjecture and greatly embarrassed hs
endeavors alonS other lines. He men,
toned in this conn ecton the senatorship
from Ohio the position Of Secretary O.
State and Secretary Of thu Treasury He
added that he was at esent a candidate
for the Ohio senatorshp.