Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-06
Mr.. TAFT IN GOOD HUM0R
STEPS TO SECURE FAIRNESS

/
WAYS Commission-Debts of De-
partment Employees.
| Secretary Taft conferred early this
morning with President Roosevelt about
political affairs in the republic of Pana'
ma and work in the Canal Zone. Bu'
there was also a little bit of agreeable
| interchange of congratulations over the
way things are working at Chicago. Sec
rotary Taft received congratulations
| throughout the day on the results of the
| contests that have been decided by the
national committee up to this time
White House callers who met him shook
hands warmly with him, and assured him
that the machinery was running at Chi
cago as had been expected, and that
he was as good as nominated.
So far as the President is concerned
his prediction of Taft on the first ballot
! was made many months ago, and he has
grown stronger in that conviction every
day since. Many weeks ago he concluded
that the fight was as good as settled
Secretary Taft was less sanguine than
the President for a long time. and even
in the last few weeks has, in conservative
fashion, preferred to catch the rabbit be-
fore cooking it. He has shown no undue
elation over developments at any stage
and today was willing to wait until the
convention before assuming that he was
to be placed in the saddle. That he was
in good humor was testified to by some
of the visitors in the Presidents offices
who heard mighty merry laughs proceed
ing from the private office where the two
men were closeted.
Fair Election in Panama.
The administration has some plans to
see that a fair election is conducted in
the republic Of Panama in few days
the presidency of the republic and other
Offices depending upon the result. Re-
bellion in the republic has been threat
ened over the alleged high-handed
methods Of Panama officials in filling the
registration lists with their own voters
and denying the right Of registration to
the opposition parties. A revolution
would be troublesome to the work upon
the canal 1t is expected that this after
noon some correspondence between the
President and Secretaries Root and Taft
will be made public. and intended to show
thac the authorities of the United States
upon the isthmus will supervise the cleo
lions In such a way as to guarantee fair
count. The matter has been under con-
sideration for some time, and it is hoped
that the action decided upon will have
a good effect in quieting the contending
parties and factions.
Secret Service Officers Pleased.
Secret service officers who have been
stationed at the White House for a num-
Der of years are delighted with the pros
pect that Secretary Taft is to be the
next occupant of the executive offices.
They have had some strenuous days with
President Roosevelt, twenty and thirty
mile walks in rain and snow and similar
stunts. They do not anticipate any such
hefty exercise under Mr.. Taft, who is.
his weight. II Mr.. Taft is elected Presi-
dent the secret service men at the White
House will probably have easy jobs.
For National Chairman.
Senators Carter, Burkett. Piles, Borah
and Beverage, who called upon the
President today, some to say goodbye,
could give no definite idea of who may
head the republican national committee
as chairman. Suggestions were made by
them in behalf Of Senator Crane, Senator
Long, Frank H. Hitchcock, Harry New
and others, and there was tendency to
regard Mr.. Hitchcock as having mighty
good chances Of assuming command OF
the republican armies after the Chicago
convention.
Milton D. Purdy, whose name was sent
to the Senate as judge for the southern
district of Minnesota, and failed OF con-
firmation by the Senate. owing to the
attitude of Senator Nelson. called on the
President today, The question or APP
pointing him during the recess is under
consideration by the President
To Amend the Pension Laws.
Representative Langley of Kentucky
wants the government to show proper
recognition to members of state and local
organizations who aided the Federal
armies during the civil war. often at dan
ger to lives and property. He today asked
the President to recommend in his next
message an amendment to the pension
laws that will give pensions to this class
of men. In Kentucky there are large
number of men who never did enlist in
the Federal armies, but they frequently
joined the Federal troops in fights and
battles, acting independently. The Presi-
dent promised Mr.. Langley to give the
question consideration, and asked the
Kentuckian to file brief setting forth
the claims Of these men.
Must Pay Debts or Lose Jobs.
At meeting of the cabinet short
time ago the President took up with his
advisers allegations made by the Ma
tional Retail Grocers' Association that
many government clerks fail or refuse to
pay honest debts. No particular order
was issued on the subject, but the Presi-
dent requested cabinet officers to take
such steps as necessary to require honest
compliance with obligations contracted
Under the rules to be adopted failure to
pay bills will result In dismissal from
positions unless there are mighty good
| reasons to the contrary. The civil service
commission. with which the President
also took up the question, said there was
no law or general regulation governing
the matter. each department regulating
the subject to suit itself.
Waterways Commission Continued.
| In view of the desirability of continu
ing the work of the inland waterways
| commission, the President has requested
those designated last year, with the ex.
ceptlon of Gen. Alexander Mackenzie
chief of engineers, War Department, who
mas retired. to continue their services or
the commission. and has also requested
Senator William B. Allison, Representa-.
tive Joseph f. Ransdell and Prof. George
F. Swain of the Massachusetts Institute
| OF Technology to serve as members. Az
| soon as a selection for the chief of en-.
| gineers of the War Department has beer
| made he will also be designated a mem
| Der of the commission in place of Gen
| Mackenzie
| The commission as now made up is as
| follows:
T. E. Burton House of Representatives
| chairman. n Allison Tor