The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-17
TAFT NOT TO RESIGN
viii Leave Cabinet Only if
Nominated.
CRITICISM OF HIS PURPOSE
Comment Made that Secretary OF
War Creates Impression that Chief
Political Asset IL Relationship
with Prcsident-COmmitte to All
Mr. ROOseveIt's Principles.

According TO friends. Secretary Taft has
no Intention to resign from the Cabinet
unless and until he is nominated Tor
President.
IN the event Of his selection by the Chi
cago convention he will retire, it is said,
to enable him TO devote all his time to
his Presidential campaign.
In opinion of public men here. includ-
ing well-wishers Of the Secretary OF War,
he is making an error in remaining a
member of the Roosevelt official family.
There is little, IL any, criticism OF Taft
on the ground that he is neglecting his
official duties in the active prosecution Of
his ante-eonvention political efforts. 1t is
admitted by many that, in spite Of his
frequent absences from Washington. he
manages 10 keep abreast OF War Depart
ment affairs, and while here works far
into the night in order 10 do so.
Views OF Critics.
The disposition TO believe he is laying
up trouble for the future is the outcome
OF opinion that by remaining Secretary
Of War TAFT accentuates the impression
that his chief political asset is his rela-
tionship with President Roosevelt, and
that he realizes that to sever their off,
cial connection would mean loss OF
strength 10 his boom.
OF course this idea leads naturally TO
the contention on the part Of some people
that Taft, by willingness 20 De Roose-
Yelts Secretary OF War. and a candidate
for the Presidential nomination al the
same time. comedies. OF is Indifferent To,
the new doctrine that the President Of
the United States has the right 10 choose
his own successor
II there were any general impression IN
the early days Of Tafts candidacy that
he intended to cut loose from Roosevelt 5
way Of thinking and stand for a set OF
policies of his own, IL has vanished in
the light Of recent events. Opinion Is
widespread here that Taft cannot now
assume an independent attitude upon
public questions-that is. advocate p:iu-
ciples which are not in accord with Roose-
velts views without making himself just
~ liable 10 the charge of ingratitude.
Committed To Roosevelt Principles.
But there is no expectation or sug-
! Il
ment tolerate the thought that all poll
cies of Roosevelt are not policies Of Taft
His loyalty 10 the President is too we'll
understood among public men 20 admit
Of any speculation as TO his attitude
II has been matter for comment in
Washington, however. that man who
has earned the reputation Of "A sticklcr
for Official prophecies and whose whole
attitude as a public official has COM
manded respect and admiration should
seem to overlook that as long as ne re-
mains IN the Cabinet he will be subject
10 the suspicion that he is doubtful OF
his own political strength and fears that
he will lose prestige with the people II
he sewers his official connection with
President Roosevelt
It is suggested that Taft has been
too busy To give any time TO the Consid-
Grafton Of any such view. This Is incon-
sistent with the claim Of Taft supporters
that his association with the President
is decided asset in the great Presi-
Dental game.
The usual answer to the question as 20
why Taft remains is that he is deeply
interested in many matters affecting the
army which he wishes 20 have disposed
OF before he leaves the War Department.
This. however. has not satisfied many.
who believe Taft should have resigned
his portfolio the moment that he became
an active candidate for the Presidential
nomination.
Campaign to BE Pushed.
From now on the Taft candidacy Will
be pushed with might and main. For the
/ first time in the history Of the Repub-
| lcan party a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination has opened headquarters
with regularly employed managers Il
work for his cause.
Frank II. Hitchcock will retire from the
ONCE of First Assistant Postmaster Gen
/ eral to-day 10 take charge Of the Taft
/ political interests. He has leased seven
or eight rooms in the Union Trust Com
pany's building. one Of Washington
newest and handsomest structures.
Arthur I. Vorys viii remain IN charge
Of the original Taft headquarters at Co
lumbuS Ohio. where ne has been con-
Quoting his Taft Taft Taft postal-card
campaign. Mother persons Of more or loss
political experience have been employed
1t is expected that more viii join the Taft