The Cairo bulletin., 1908-12-19
KNOX WILL Be
SEC'Y Of STATE
PRE- ESiDENT-ELECT TAFT AN.
NOUNCEC YESTERDAY THAT
OFFER is ACCEPTED.
CoNCRATULATES SELF
On Securing Services Of Knox in His
Cabinet--Received Telegram
From the Senator at
Augusta, Accepting.

Augusta, Ga, Dec 18-The arrival
OF Presidentelec Taft and the
greater portion OF his family in
Augusta today caused no small
amount OF joyous excitement on the
part sof the residents of the city. The
reception accorded the president
elect was ample In expressing the
tality.
Discussing his forthcoming visit to
Panama tonight Taft made 1t plain
that it was his purpose to keep him
self posted throughout his admins
tratio nregarding the engineering
features of the work on the isthmus
as well as the administrative fea-
lures. 1t is has intention now to
visit the isthmus each year of his |
term and TO take with him for th,ir |
report eminent civil engineers who
are not connected with the work |
There is some danger, he believes, |
that unless close Independent super.
vision is maintained regarding the |
physical features of the project
Gatun Dam Main Point.
The problem that will receive the
greaest consideration during the
forthcoming trip relates to the en-.
gint ering features of Gatun Dam.
There has been some expert criti.
cism as to the quality of the foundar
tion which can be found for this
structure, and 1t is Tafts intention
TO obtain from the most reliable
sources available as much as may be
known.
Other thanet announced that Sem
atoT Knox has been selected as see
retary of state. Taft. following his
custom al refusing, 10 discuss his L
cabinet appointments untii Inc, tlss-ot I
actually been made and their accept
ance received. declined to confirm
other cabinet rumors.
The announcement followed the re-
ceipts by Taft of a telegram late this
afternoon. conveying the information
from Knox that he would accept the
premiership of the Taft cabinet.
Taft, without delay made the an
nouncement that the matter was
settled In giving the details OF the
engotiation she said the offer was
made to Knox last Sunday in New
York. That since the offer he had
EAe~r.SG sac:s.o.r 81
,raM fe received today. After a
consultation with Secretary Root in
Washington Saturday, Taft said he
wired Knox to see him at Henry w.
Tafts residence Sunday morning.
The appointment was kept.
coneratutates Himself
Il feel that am TO be eongratulat-
ed in securing the services OF Knox
In my cabinet" said. Taft in making
the announcement. I'm selecting
secretary OF state ] wanted first
great lawyer. aud second. a man who
would fill the public eye, not only
here, brt abroad, a man who stands
out preeminently as great Ameri-
can. Knox was a great attorney gen
,ral. Hhe was a prminent candida'e
for the presidency, and he is recog-
nizea In the senate and elsewhere as
one of the great lawyers of that
body
Taft also feels that from a political |
viewpoint the selection of Knox s
most happy He explained there was
ofteu a feeling that Pennsylvania
with its assured Republican majori |
ties. was often slighted.ln the matter
OF recognition I'm the high counse.s
of the party. That this will not be
the case In the next administration
was Indicated by the announcement
Of TAFT that he should invite Knox
10 come 10 Augusta that he might |
talk 10 him freely with reference to
the filling OF other places in his eabi.
net
The hesitation Of Knox to make
moro speedy decision Is interpreted
here 10. his desire TO arrange with
due regard for the interests OF the
marty in his state for relinquishing |
his seat in the senate.
Has Not Determined.
Regarding the report that George
W. wickersham. Of New York. viii
be attorney general in his cabinet
Taft said tonight that he had not
We. determined on any one definitely
for the attorney generalship. II l.
his desire to hl this place with an
administrative genius who viii a.
complish the reorganization Of the
DEPARTMENT as well az the legal
phases Of the department q com
M rec and labor. and the Interstate
commerce commission. to the eBd
that the work Of these three branches
ma be coordinated and brought int