New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-20
GUESSING ON CABINET,
Mr.. Taft VIII Take Matter Up
Seriously Early NeTt Month.
from The Tribune Bureau J


Washington Nov. 19.-Mr. Taft's Cabinet con-
tinues to be & subject Of the utmost interest
and Of continual speculation not only by news
paper correspondents, but by the legislators
who are beginning to arrive in Washington Tot
the session OF Congress. Out OF this speculation
grow various more or less conflicting reports,
while some anxious seekers for Cabinet honors
apparently regard newspaper exploitation as
legitimate and useful method OF promoting their
ambitions.
There are a few facts from which to draw
conclusions regarding the probable personnel OF
the official family OF the next President 1t is
an established fact that he has expressed his
hope that Secretary Root will remain in the
Cabinet The likelihood that the Secretary OF
State Will do so Is remote.
There is little reason to believe that the Score
tary OF the Treasury will remain and 1t is gen
orally believed that the Postmaster General
will succeed him. On the other hand. # Is
known that Mrs. Meyer does not Ike life in
Washington and would prefer important
diplomatic post for her husband. Some Of Mr..
Meyers closest friends say he would not de-
cline the Treasury portfolio il offered TO him,
and others believe that Mrs Meyers wishes
would prevail. The Postmaster General himself
is naturally saying nothing the subject.
That the Secretary OF the Interior will remain
for the reason that he has made good in
Office which, especially when ne first assumed
it. presented many difficulties and abundant OPP
portunities for trouble with Congress, all OF
which he has skilfully surmounted and avoided,
while he has greatly incssased the efficiency of
his department Moreover Mr.. Garfield has
long been an earnest and energetic Taftite
Those best informed believe that Mr.. Loeb.
now secretary to the President. will succeed
Mr. Newberry as Secretary of the Navy. Mr..
Loeb's loyal and able political services to Mr..
Taft are generally regarded as emitting him TO
material recognition, while it is appreciated that
his thorough familiarity with every detail of
the Roosevelt administration and his knowledge
Of the men with whom the new President will
have TO deal. and metaphorically speaking, to
classify, would render him of invaluable assist
ance in the Cabinet
The name OF Charles z. MagOon, Provisional
Governor Of Cuba, is frequently mentioned in
connection with the portfolio of War. Whether
Mr. Taft is now considering Judge Magoon in
this connection is not known. but it is a fact
that he has been seriously considered by Presi-
dent Roosevelt for president of the Philippine
commission. which post the present incumbent,
MIR. Smith is anxious to relinQuish.
The report has been freely circulated often
with great circumstantiality, that Clifford Pin
James Wilson as Secretary Of Agriculture on
March 1. This report. however, probably has
little foundation in fact first, because the Pres
ident has asked Mr.. Taft TO retain Mr. Wilson
in order that he may have an opportunity de-
cisvely to break all previous records for tenure
in the Cabinet, and, secondly, because it is not
believed likely that Mr.. Taft would select for
the head of department composed OF various
scientific bureaus a man who is such spe-
cialist in single branch of the quasi agricuItu-
raj science that he would hardly be able to
handle the others with impartiality. Moreover,
Mr.. Pinchots heart is IN his work for the pres
ervation OF the forests
All reports asserting that President-elect Taft
has decided on this or that Cabinet assignment
has offered this that place 10 any individ-
ual, with the single exception Of the portfolio of
State. may. for the present, be set own as I'M
warranted The views entertained by Mr. Taft
at the time OF his election, in SO far as they
had taken form. are Indicated herein More
over, MI Taft then determined not to give
serious consideration to the makeup OF his
Cabinet until after December l. a determination
from which 1t may be authOritativelv stated
hs has not deviated.
That his visit &c Washington early In De-
such serious consideration is a fact but in tba
mean time II is possible only To give the mora
less nebulous views he entertained when
elected. and 10 speculate - the direction thav
are likely tc take in the futura