Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29
LOOKS LIKE A THREAT
At Least, That Is the Opinion Of
One Big Republican.
THEN THERE ARE OTHERS
Just Mr.. Taft's Prompt Way Of
Showing His Appreciation,
They Say.

Mr. Hitchcock has accepted and every
body has had chance to say 'He earned
it, and Il told you so," the people who
really think about such things are be-
ginning to ask themselves questions.
Why was Mr.. Taft's offer and It's ac-
ceptance made public at this time?
Why was it made public in the curious
ly formally informal, officially unofllcial
way 1t was when everybody knew that
Mr. Hitchcock was slated for the post
master generalsh!p and that he would
accept it when it was offered?
These are just a couple of the main
queries that politicians and people who
Why, and again why?
Now. there is republican in high gov
ernment office in Washington who has
known Speaker Cannon for years and
who likes and admires him. But this
man isn't one to be carried away by
personal preference, however. His judg-
ment is famed as being exceptionally
good. and he is sensible and level-headed
and wiser than most. And SO, when
this gentleman declared yesterday that
the announcement OF Hitchcock'S Selec-
ton for the postmaster generalship in the
Taft cabinet was in the nature of a dec
laration of war on Mr.. Cannon by the
new administration-to-be The Star re-
porter to whom it was made sat up and
took notice.
A Notice to Membersp
why there is no possilre explanation
save one for this announcement being
made at this time.'' said the republican
in question. LAS head CT the Post Office
Department Mr.. Hitchcock will have ar
bitrary powers as to the disposal Of the
nat Of ocfv III ~
patronage that hits a representative
where he lives, that may make or un-
make him in his district, that Is vital
and lies close to his vitals. Now, in view
of the fact that in the somewhat nebu-
lous discussion of the possibilities Of a
feud between the Taft administration and
the Speaker of the House Mr.. Hitch
cocks name has frequently been men,
toned for the post Of commander-in-
chief of the antf-Cannon campaign forces.
doesn't it appear to you as If the some
what peculiar form Of the announcement
Of his acceptance Of a cabinet job Is
pregnant with possibilities?
What can 1t be other than notice to
the members of the House Of Repre-
sentatives that it is time for them to pre-
pare to arch their backs and purr, rub
against their masters legs and eat out
of his hand? What is it save an invita-
ton to them to follow Mr.. Hitchcock up
the steep and winding path that leads
where they may feast their dazzled eyes
on the rich and fertile Land of Pleasant
Patronage unfolded to their view?"
And this republican. this settled, sensi
BILE, level-headed soul. said more. ant
still more. to the same effect. He ex
pressed the belief that members of Con
gress might have their choice-this being
to his mind. the meaning Of the announce
ment-of journeying with Mr.. Hitchcock
to the top Of the mount and putting theil
fI< <t1 D1an
land Of Patronage or of jumping of
the administrative earth into chill an(
outer darkness. He didn't think there
would be any halfway measures per
mitted.
"They'l Be Steam Rollered."
They'll steam-roller em into pancake
quiescence," he said, with brutal frank
ness They'll squash 'em and grind 'en
and stamp em and roll 'em. and ther
blow them all to the four winds Of heaven
That's what they'll try to do
And this republican added that If any
body had tried to tell him one little
short year ago that the opposition to the
election of Uncle Joe" Cannon as Speak
er of the House of Representatives in the
SiXty-first Congress would ever. in 6
it rests today he would have had his
informant arrested for disorderly assem-
bly, But now. this republican. and many
more like him, who are stanch friends
Of Mr.. Cannon, are somewhat up in the
air. They hope and believe that Mr.. Can
non will be reelected: aye, that he will
be reelected without opposition of seri
Gus nature. But they are not sure. They
know that number of members Of Con
gress are pledged against Uncle Joe. and
that, through fear Of their constituencies
if for no other reason, they will vote
for any other man for Speaker Of the
House in preference to Mr.. Cannon. Some
of these men have said that their ante
election pledges will not even permit them
to participate in a caucus on the speaker
ship.
The Other Side of It.
So there you are. On the other hand.
there are many republicans. some Of them
members of the House. who do not see
in the announcement of Mr.. Hitchcock S
selection for the postmaster generalship
any hint of threat, any indication OF
a declaration of war They seem to be-
lieve. at least the profession is theirs
that Mr.. Taft, wishing to reward Mr..
Hitchcock at once for his services In the
recently closed campaign, wishing to give
him now, while the memory of his labors
is fresh in the republican lobe of the
public mind, some recognition, some eX-
preston of gratitude, has made this
somewhat previous announcement of the
young mans selection for this cabinet
post of honor.
What's the truth of the matter? Time
may have his choice.