The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-19
The PennsyIVaDian Will SuG- ceed EIibu Root As Sec
 retag of State
TAFT IS WELL PLEASED
 AT KNOX'S ACCEPTANCE
President-EIect Feels That In Select ina Knox He Has Secured Great Lawyer and an Able Man
 for the Place.

Augusta, December 1S.-wfliam H. Taft tongiht announced the appointment of United States Senator Philander c. Knox of Pennsylvania as Secretary of State in his cabinet.
 The announcement followed the receipt by MT. Taft of telegram, which came late this afternoon. conveying the infor- nation from MT. Knox that he would cept the premiership of the Taft cabinet. Mr.. Taft without delay made the nouncement that the matter was settled. In giving the details of the negotiations he said that the offer was made to MT. Knox last Sunday morning in New York. That since the offer he had not heard from MT. Knox until the telegram re- ceived today. After a consultation with Secretary Root in Washington last Sat urday afternoon MT. Taft said he made an effort to see the Pennsylvania senator there, but was informed that he was in New York to attend the dinner of the Pennsylvania society. He wired Mir Knox to see him at the Henry ". Taft residence Sunday morning. The appointment was kept, MT Knox concluding his visit in time for Judge Taft to attend morning church service, but remaining at the Taft residence until after Judge Taft had gone to church.
 Congratulations In Order.
 T feel that I am to be congratulated in securing the services- of Senator Knox in my cabinet" said Judge Taft in mak- ing the announcement, and making the statement with the understanding that he was to be quoted.
 "In selecting a Secretary of State wanted first a great lawyer and second a man who would fill the public eye, not only here, but abroad, a man who stands out pre-eminently as great Amer ican.
 MT. Knox was a great Attorney Gen eral: he was a prominent candidate for the presidency, and he is recognized in the Senate and elsewhere as one or the great lawyers of that body"
 Judge Taft also feels that from po- litieal viewpoint the selection of MT. Knox is most happy. He explained that there was a feeling that the state of Pennsylvania, with it's assured republican majorities, often was sighted in the mat ter of recognition in the high councils Of the party. That this will not be the case in the next administration was indicated by the announcement by MT. Taft that he should invite Senator Knox to come to Augusta that he might consult him freely with reference to filling other places in his cabinet. In fact he said that he felt the need of such aid as he would be able to obtain from MT. Knox regarding not only the cabinet, but many matters pre- liminary to the beginning of his adminis- tration. That MT. Knox's influence would be potent was freely admitted by MT. Taft.
 Delay In Accepting.
 The hesitation of Senator Knox to make a more speedy decision Is attributed here to his desire to arrange, with due regard to the interests of his party and his state for relinuuishing his seat in the Senate MT. Taft eyinced many evidences of qualification at the decision reached.
 The arrival of the Taft family in Augusta today, with the exception of Miss Helen, who is to reach here later, caused no small amount of joyous ex citement and demonstration on the part of the residents of the city. The recep- tion accorded the Presdent-elect was ample in expressing the feeling of cordial southern hospitality.
 MT. and Mrs. Landon A. Thomas are entertaining the Tafts until Monday, when they will take possession of the Terrett cottage. Judge Taft lost no time in get ting out to the golf course and pronounced it much to his liking, although he said he would have to get familiar with the sand greens which were little difficult after his play on grass.
 Visit to Panama.
 In discussing his forthcoming visit to Panama, MT. Taft made 1t plain that it was his purpose to keep himself posted throughout his administration regarding the engineering features of the work on the isthmus as well as the administrative features It is his intention now to visit the isthmus each year of his term and to take with him eminent civil engineers who are not connected with the work. There is some danger, he believes, that unless this close independent supervision ia maintained regarding the physical fea- lures of the project, that grave mistakes might be made.
 The problem that will receive the great est consideration during the forthcoming trip relates to the engineering features or the Gatun dam There has been some expert criticism as to the quality of the foundation which can be found for this structure, and it is MT. Tafts intention to obtain from the most reliable sources available much as may be known.
 An invitation came to Mr. Taft today from President Philip Weilen of the New Orleans Progressive union to have him re- turn from Panama via that port
 Invitation From New Orleans.
 "The people Of New Orleans the 1n- vitation reads, cordially request and re- spectfully urge you to return from Panama via this port.
 I've are deeply concerned, not only in the success of the administration, but in the success of the canal project and wish to assure you of our earnest belief in the wisdom of those in authority
 Savannah has come forward with a bid for MT. Taft and he will be visited shortly by delegation from that city asking him to attend a Yale reunion to be held there later No indication has been given as to whether MT. Taft will accept. His Atlanta visit wi11ch