Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-02-08
HITCHCOCK To
HANDLE TAFT
CAMPAIGN
QUITS THE P0STOFFICE.
DEPARTMENT NEXT WEEK
To Establish Headquarters in
Washington and Assume En-
tire Charge of War Secre-
tary'S Race for Nomination

ny Morning journal s1ec1nl Leased Wire.
Washington, d. c.. Feb. An.
nouncement was made today of the
approaching retirement of Frank II
Hitchcock, first assistant postmaster
general. Mr.. Hitchcock will assume
the management of the active cam
paign Of Secretary Taft for the repub-
lican nomination to the presidency.
The exact date of the retirement has
not been determined definitely but it
will probably be about February Is.
Mr.. Hitchcock win be succeeded as
first assistant postmaster general by
DR.. Charles p Crandfeld, who for a
little more than two years has been
chief of the bureau over which Mr..
Hitchcock presides, DR. Crandfeld has
been actively identified with the postal
service for about twenty years.
Several weeks ago Mr.. Hitchcock
was requested by Secretary Taft to
undertake the management Of his
campaign. The secretary desired to
enlist his services, not only because he
is widely known throughout the coun-
try and had experience subsequently,
in campaign work, but because he felt
the necessity of having man in charge
of the infinite variety of details of
the campaign to whom he could refer
questions arising constantly and to
which he could devote the time they
seemed to demand. 1t is no secret
that Secretary Taft, in order to dispose
of the great amount of work incident
TO the direction of his department, has
been obliged for several weeks pract
cally to exclude himself from visitors
q part Of the time.
The work has been exceeding try
ing, as he is under a severe mental
and physical strain for from 16 to
90 hours every day.
When Secretary Taft made The
proffer of the management of his cam
pagn to Mr.. Hitchcock he desired that
he undertake the work Immediately.
At that, in the view of Mr. Hitchcock,
would have necessitated retirement a
once from the office of first assistant
postmaster general, because he could
not with prOpriety conduct political
campaign from the postof6ce, he told
Secretary Taft that he could not as
sumo the duties of campaign man
ager on the spur of the moment. He.
asked for time to consider the subject
and to confer with friends. The sec
retary entered no objection, but desir-
ed a decision as soon as practicable.
Mr.. Hitchcock finally informed Secre-
tary Taft that if he could be given
ume to meet his obligations aud duties
to the postal service ne would accept
his offer.
Practically Mr. Hitchcock now has
concluded the work N which he was
engaged and in a few days ne will.
tender his resignation and leave the
postoffice department. Mr.. Roc avelt.
Joined with Secretary Taft in re"dest-
ing Mr.. Hitchcock to undertaE the.
campaign work,
1t is not known what plans ME-
Hitchcock may have prepared for his
new duties. 1t is not known e"1h
whether he will establish his head
quarters in this city, but it is assum-
ed he will 1t is expected Mr. Hitch
cock will devote his attention to the
camaign of Secretary Taft in all parts
of the country. except ohio, which Isl
being looked after by Arthur |. NoyreS'