New-York tribune., 1908-12-19
SENATOR KNOX TO BE
SECRETARY OF STATE
SELECTION ANNOUNCED
BY MR. TAFT.
Offer Made in This City Last Sun
day and accepted Yesterday =
President-eLect's Panama T1p.

Augusta Ca Dec. s.-President-elsct VIII
lam H Taft tonight announced the appoint
ment Of United States Senator Phila1der 9
Knox of Pennsylvania. as Secretary OF State IN
his Cabinet
The announcement followed the receipt BY
Mr. Taft Of a telegram, which came late this
afternoon conveying the information from Mr..
Knox that he would accept the State Depart
ment portfolio
Mr.. Taft without delay announced that tho
matter was settled In giving the details OF the
negotiations he said that the offer was made
to Mr. Knox last Sunday morning IN New
York and since the offer he had not heard from
Mr.. Knox until the telegram he received to-day
After a conference with Secretary Root IN
Washington last Saturday afternoon Mr. Taft
said he made an effort to see the Pennsylvania
Senator there. but informed that he was in
New York attending the dinner OF the Pennsyi-
vania Society He telegraphed 20 Mr. Knox 70
see him at the home OF Henry W Taft Sunday
morning The appointment was kept. Mr. Knox
ending his visit in time for Mr.. Taft 20 attend
morning church service.
"I feel that to be congratulated IN secur'
ing the services OF Senator Knox in my Cab
met" said Mr.. Taft in making the announce
ment In selecting a Secretary OF State
wanted first, a great lawyer. and. second, man
who would fill the public eye. not only here but
as a great American
MT Knox was a great Attorney General: he
was a prominent candidate for the Presidency,
and he is recognized in the Senate and else
where as one of the great lawyers Of that body
Mr.. Taft also feels that from a political point
of view the selection of Mr. Knox is most happy
He explained that there was often feeling that
the State Of Pennsylvania, with its assured Re
publican majority often sighted in regard
a-~w-
That this will not he the in the next ad-
ministration was indicated by the announcement
by Mr. Taft that he would invite Senator Knox
to come to Augusta that he might consult him
freely with reference to filing other places in
his Cabinet
In fact he said. he felt the need Of such ad-
vice as he should be able to obtain from Mr.
Knox. not only regarding the cabinet, but many
questions preliminary to the beginning Of his ad-
mnfstration. That Mr.. Knox's influence will be
potent was freely admitted by Mr. Taft
The hesitation of Senator Knox to make
more speedy decision is interpreted here to his
desire to arrange with due regard for the IN
terest Of the party and his state, for relin-
gushing his seat in the Senate
Mr. Taft showed many evidences OF gratiica-
tion at the decision which had been reached
Aside from announcing that Senator Knox
had been selected for Secretary of state, Mr.
cuss his Cabinet appointments until they have
actually Deen made and the acceptances re-
ceived. declined 10 confirm other rumOrs.
Regarding the report that George W wicker
sham of New York. would be Attorney Gen.
eraI Mr.. Taft said tonight that he had not yet
determined on any one definitely for the Attor-
nev GeneraIshp. 1t is his desire to I'LL this
place with a man who will reOrganize the de-
partment as well as the legal bureaus OF the
Department Of Commerce and Labor and the
Interstate Commerce Commission. 10 the end
that the work of these branches OF the govern
ment may be co-ordnated and brought into
close and harmonious relation
To VISIT PANAMA EVERY YEAR
In discussing his forthcoming visit TO Panama
tonight Mr. Taft made il plain that II was his
purpose TO keep himself posted throughout his
administration regarding the engineering as well
as the administrative features Of the work on the
isthnus It IS his intention now to visit the
fsthmus each year OF his term. and 10 take with ],
him for their report eminent civil engineers who
are not connected with the work There IS some
danger. he believes. that unless this close inde-
pendent supervision IS maintained regarding tbs
physical features of the project grave mistakes
might be made
The problem that will receive the greatest
consideration on the forthcoming trip relates to /
the engineering features Of the Gatun dam .
There has been some expert criticism as 70 the
quality of the foundation which can be found
for this structure and 1t IS Mr. Taft's intention
to obtain from the most trustworthy sources
available as much as can be known
The arrival of Mr. Taft and the greater por-
ton of his family in Augusta to-day caused 10
small amount of joyous excitement and demon
stration on the part OF the residents Of the city
The reception of the Prcsident-slect was ample
in expressing the feeling OF cordial southern
hospitality
Mr.. and Mrs. Landon y Thomas are enter
tanning the Tafts until Monday. when they Will
take possession OF their Terrett cottage Mr-
Taft lost no time in getting out To the golf
course. and declared IT much 10 his liking. al
though he said he would have 70 get familiar
with the sand green's which were little Gifi-
cult after his play grass
An invitation came to Mr. Taft to-day from
President Philip Werlein Of the New Orleans
Progressive Union to have him land at that
port when he returns from Panama
savannah has come forward with bid for
Mr. Taft and he Will be visited shortly by
delegation from that city asking him 20 attend
n Yale reunion. No indication has been given
as 70 whether he will accept His Atlanta VISIT.
which has been promised. has not yet been deh-
nitely arranged