Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-01
Gov. Wright Becomes Secre-
tary Taft'S Successor.
SUBORDINATES PRESENTED
Ceremony in Departments General
Reception Room.
FEW CHANGES ARE PROPOSED
Army Officers and Their Families
Will Meet New Secretary at Gen.
Bells Tomorrow Night.

GOV. Luke T.. Wright i,uk the oath or
office as Secretary Of War promptly at
noon TO-DAY Escorted by the retiring
Secretary. William II. Taft. Gov.
Wright pas. from the private office of
the Secretary into the general reception
room. There. surrounded by prominent
army officers. officials of the War Depart
nent and Il few visitors. the oath was adj
ministered to Secretary Wright by Mr.
John B. Randolph. the veteran assistant
IL Chief Clerk Scofield of the department.
Mr.. Randolph administered the oath OF
office TO four previous Secretaries of War,
including Mr.. Taft 1t was the usual oath
prescribed by section 1901 of the Revised
Statutes May IL. 1854, Ito support and
defend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic and to bear true faith and
allegiance to the same
Farewell and Greeting.
AS Secretary Wright uttered the last
words of the oath Chief Clerk Scotield
handed him his commission and Mr.. Taft
grasped his hand i'll congratulation. Gen.
Bell, chief of staff. then congratulated the
new Secretary, and at his suggestion the
party returned to the private Office 1or
The reception of the officers OF the army
and many of the civil employees of the
War Department who were waiting To
take official leave of Mr.. Taft and to pay
their respects TO their new chief. All the
bureau officials were present and the
clerks and messengers OF AL the omceS
except the adjutant generals, VINO couid
not be excused from work. Included IN
the long stream which filed past the Two
officials were many eXCurSlonlStS and sew
eral officers of other departments, lnclud-
ing Gen. Elliott of the Marine corps
Each one in turn was presented person.
ally to both Secretary Taft and Secretary
Wright.
Guests of Gen. Edwards.
Soon after the reception Mr.. Taft, &C
companed by Secretary Wright. went TO
the home of Gen. Clarence r. Edwards,
the chief of the bureau of insular at
fairs. for luncheon. Other guests at the
luncheon were Mrs. Taft. Miss Helen
Taft, Master Charles Taft and Mr.. and
Mrs. Post Wheeler.
Secretary and Mrs. Taft and Secretary
Wright will be at the quarters OF Gen.
and Mrs Bell at Fort Myer tomorrow
night Cen and Mrs. Bell have requested
ALI officers of the army and their FAMILIES
IN call at any time after 9 o'clock on
that evening to bid Mr.. and Mrs. Tart
good-bye and to pay their respects 10
Secretary Wright.
Ohlcers ara privileged to use any va
rjetv of DRESS either civilian or uniform
tho cooler and more comfortable, the
better.
Only Necessary Changes in View.
Secretary Wright said this afternoon
that he would make no changes in his. Of
fee except such as were necessitated by
the retirement Of Judge Taft. AT his re-
quest. Mr.. Fred w. Carpenter. Mr.. Taft's
private secretary, would remain with him
In the same capacity for the next ten
days, to assist him in acquainting himself
with the details of the official routine.
AS Mr.. Carpenter will remain with Judge
Taft during the campaign, Secretary
Wright said it would be necessary for
him to choose his successor without de-
lay. He had already decided on the man
he wanted for that important and conf
Dental office. but would not announce his
appointment for a few days yet.
Mr.. Carpenter will join Judge Taft at
Hot Springs as soon as Secretary Wright
can spare him-about the 10th instant
and assist in the conduct of his cam
paign. Two other employees of the Sea-
retary's office will leave the government
service and accompany Judge Taft to
Hot Springs. These are Mr.. W. W.
Mischler, confidential clerk. who has &C
in the United States, and William Con-
nell. the colored messenger. who ac-
companied the retiring War Secretary
on his trips to the Philippines and the
IsthmuS of Panama. Their places will
he filled at once.