The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-29
Presidents Secretary Will GO
 Into Business
DON'T WANT PUBLIC OFFICE
It Is Reported That Taft Offered Loeb Anything He Wanted If Success fuI In Being Elected, But
 Was Turned Down.

New York. June 2S.-(Special)-At the conference at Oyster Bay yesterday be- tween President Roosevelt, Secretary Taft and National Committeeman Frank B. Kellogg and William L. Ward the posi- tion of chairman of the republican na- tional committee was offered to the Pres ident's secretary, William E. Loeb Jr.
 Mir. Loeb has for years been a close personal friend of Secretary Taft, and by selecting MT. Loeb the candidate felt that he would please President Roosevelt and at the same time avoid choosing between his friends in Ohio.
 When MT Loeb was offered the position he replied; Thank you very much, MT Secretary, but I cannot accept the chair manship. My decision is irrevocable"
 Secretary Taft then said: "I am sorry, but I know you must have reasons why you will not wish to be urged. I will say however. to all the gentlemen present and to you, that in case I am elected Presi- dent. I shall be glad to nominate you for any position within my gift.
 To this MT. Loeb replied |" As l told you some time ago. Mir. Secretary, my support of you in this campaign is not based upon any hope of reward. l have definitely made up my mind to retire to private life on March next, and have completed business plans that will make 1t impossible to accept any public office"
 Craftsmanship Matters.
 Secretary Taft said he regretted it. The President slapped Loeb on the shoulder and said he was lucky. Then the confer ence resumed discussion of the vexed question of the chairmanship. According to one of the men present, absolutely no decision was reached by Secretary Taft as to the chairmanship. Surface indications in the selection of a national committee chairman point to Hitchcock Letters have been received from the governors of Illinois and Ken lucky, urging Hitchcock's appointment It is expected that Hitchcock s rival. MT. Vorys, may be promised a cabinet job. But not one of the men at the meeting would make a direct statement.
 Secretary Loeb, after the conference. insisted that no choice had yet been reached.
 Gen. Luke E. Wright, who will suc- ceed MT. Taft next month as Secretary of War, took no part in the charmanshlp discussion, but before 1t began he had a talk with the President and Secretary Taft upon matters concerning the depart ment
 After finishing the conference Secretary Taft and Committeeman Ward were taken in one of the government automobiles to Long island City, where they started for WaShinotOn
 Taft Talks.
 Secretary Taft said to a reporter: We had a fine luncheon at the Presidents and General Wright and I talked over department matters
 Was there a discussion about the na- tional charmanship?'
 Seems to me I heard echoes of that"
 twill you tell us if you have selected the man you wish to serve?"
 q can't say word about the chair manship now. A meeting of the sub committee will be held in Washington July S''
 .'Was Mir Loebs name mentioned in the discussion regarding the chairman shp?''
 "Oh, yes, indeed; but I cannot talk about it. He was there and can speak for himself"
 Was MT. Hancock's name mentioned?'
 "I think recall something about it.
 Committeeman Kellogg remained with the President for about an hour after the other guests had left. AS he departed for New York he said he could not dis cuss the chairmanship of the national committee, as nothing had been deter mined.
 General Wright was taken in an auto mobile to Bourke Cockran's home, where Gen. Henry Ide is stopping at the pres ent time General Ide succeeded General Wright in the Philippines.