Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-12-04
CABINET PLACE FOR BURTON
Ohio Congressman May Have Treas
ury Portfolio.
MAN WELL POSTED ON FINANCE
lie Prefers a Seat In the senate and
May withhold His Answer Until
situation I'm His state
Clarifies.
MAN WELL POSTED ON FINANCE

HOT SPRINGS. Va, Dec. 3.-President-
elect Taft made it decidedly plain today
that no information for publication might
be expected from him regarding the make
up OF his cabinet until he is ready to make
the official announcement of the entire
cabinet. Acting on this declaration. he de-
clined to discuss the report from Cleve-
land that Representative Theodore L. Bur-
ton Of Ohio had been offered the treasury
portfolio.
That the report respecting Mr.. Burton
has foundation Is the behef here of those
who know Mr.. Tafts high regard for the
craftsmanship abilities of the Ohio con-
gresham.
The present situation with respect to the
matter is understood here to oe that Mr..
Burton has been told by Mr.. Taft that he
may be invited to accept cabinet position
and that either the Treasury or the State
department may be available in this con-
nection.
That a more definite understanding could
not be had is due in part at least to the
position Of Mr.. Burton as a candidate for
the senate This situation makes it plain
that a positive statement cannot be made
at this time as to what Mr. Burton's con-
nection with the next administration will
be. Should he fail in his ambition for the
senate It is regarded as a good guess that
he will be a cabinet minister. Mr.. Taft
has heretofore spoken very highly of Mr..
Burton's understanding of financial matters
and his general high craftsmanship quail
ties.
Arthur |. Vorys Mr.. Taft's Ohio chief of
staff during the campaign and now actively
engaged in promoting the senatorial fight
of Charles z. Taft, stopped here today on
his way from Washington to Cincinnati.
He will have a conference with Judge Taft
late tonight.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.--That Repre-
sentative Theodore E. Burton of Ohio has
been offered the portfolio of secretary of
the treasury is generally believed in
Washington For years the Cleveland
representative has made a study of ques-
tions of finance and the addition OF an
other member to the house committee on
banking and currency last winter by
Speaker Cannon in order to appoint Mr..
Burton to that committee when currency
reform was to be enacted into law was
considered a fitting compliment to the
Ohio mans ability. 1t is known the Mr..
Burton would rather have the position OF
secretary of the treasury than any 9th er
portfolio. At the same time his selection
to the cabinet would clear UP the sena-
torial situation in Ohio, it is believed
Mr.. Burton, himself, is inclined to pre-
fer a seat in the senate to a place in the
cabinet. For that reason 1t is believed he
will withhold his answer to the proffered
cabinet position until after the senatorial
situation in Ohio has clarified.
When asked concerning the report that
he had been selected for secretary of the
treasury Mr.. Burton said today that his
name unfortunately had been mentioned
| in connection with number of positions
Some of these. he explained. were mere
conjecture, and greatly embarrassed his
endeavors along other lines. He men.
! toned in this connection the senatorsh IL
| from Ohio, the position of secretary OF
state and secretary of the treasury. He
added that he was at present a candidate
! for the Ohio senatorship.