The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
WAIT TAfT'SWORD
Noted Men Mentioned for Cabi-
net on Anxious Seat.
Ohio Man May Be Given the
Treasury Portfolio.
MAY RETAIN WILSON.
James r. Garfield and Luke
Wright Likely to Be Retired.
Missouri Is Pushing Claims for
Recognition.

Washington. Dec. 21-Cabinet
builders at the national capital and
those who have moved to Georgia as
part of the encourage of President
elect Taft are succeeding on the anx-
ious bench public men in all sections
of the country who have been looked
upon as aspirants for portfolios, or
whose qualifications have been urged
by admiring friends.
. The announcement of the appoint
ment of Frank H. Hitchcock to be
postmaster general followed by that of
Senator Philander c. Knox to be sec
rotary of state and the generally ac-
cepted report that George w Wicker
sham Of New York as the choice of
MI Taft for attorney general. indi-
Gates that the slate is being made up
rapidly and that an announcement of
the entire cabinet may be expected
before long.
From discussion of the cabinet
slate among Mr.. Taft's close friends in
Washington who would not be likely
to indulge in idle gossip concerning it.
mere seems to be a reasonable GER
tainty that in addition to those named
Secretary Wilson will continue for a
year or more as the head of the agri-
cultural department that Secretary
Garfield will retire from the cabinet.
that Judge Richard A. Ballinger of
Seattle Will be given a place probably
that of secretary of the interior; that
Luke E. Wright will retire from the
cabinet and again take a post in the
diplomatic service. and that an Ohio
man Will be given the position of sec
Rotary of the treasury. Within the
last few days the name of Charles
Nagel OF Missouri, has been discussed
In connection with the secretaryshfp
Of department. of commerce and labor.
It is known that at one time Mr. Taft
thought very strongly of naming NageI
as attorney general, but that later he
nble to the purpose of that denart
ment. He said. however, that he
would like an able lawyer to head the
department. of commerce and labor
Republican politicians are urging the
claims of Missouri for recognition, and
as Judge Nagel played a prominent
part in the campaign as a member of
the executive committee of the Repub-
Hcan national committee the mantle
would fall upon him if a place is given
to that state.
Other names heard in connection
with that department are those of VIM
Loeb, jr. secretary to Roosevelt. Oscar
Strauss who now has a portfolio and
Geo. A. knight of California. 1t is not
believed. however, that two places will
go to the Pacific coast.
Probably the most difficult place re-
manning to be filed is that of secretary
of the treasury. Among the Ohio men
mentioned are former Governor MyrOn
T. Herrick and Representative Burton,
the report that there has been a break
In the cordial relations that have ex-
listed between Mr.. Burton and Mr.. Taft
are not credited by friends of both in
this city and in many quarters Mr..
Burton is still regarded as a possibility
for the second position of Importance
in the cabinet.
For secretary of war Chas. Magoon,
now governor of Cuba. is heard fire.
ouentiy but the generally accepted idea
is that Mr.. Taft has not yet made up
his mind whom to appoint. He is said
to be looking for man who has made
a record as a business man.
VIM. Loeb, jr., is also mentioned for
secretary of the navy, as is also Chas
H. Thompson of New York. There are
some close friends of Mr.. Taft also who
think that Secretary Newberry will be
retained.