The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-12
Campaign Activity for Roost- YeIPs Candidate Is Rais-
 ing a Big Runpus
BITTER FEELING Is
 CONSTANTLY GROWING
Friends of Other Candidates Than Taft Declare That officeholders Should Not Manifest So
 Much Interest.

Much Interest.
 Washington, February 11,-tSpecial) There is a great buzz of talk among politicians at the capitol over the ae- tfvity of federal officials in various states in connection with the district and state conventions and other pre- liminary preparations for choosing delegates to the republican national convention. Every few days some one comes forward with a new tale of zeal by federal officials and the fact is com mented upon that their efforts are usually in one drection--in behalf of Secretary Taft's nomination.
 Politicians in Congress who are in sympahy with the ambitions of some of the other candidates are complain ing at this situation. They point out that it is different from the issue raised by President Roosevelt in his Foulke letter; it is not that the Pres ident is dispensing patronage to in- fluence sentiment favorable to Seere- tary Taft but that men already in of fee seem to be swayed by a singular unanimity of purpose in rounding up delegates for Secretary Taft
 They also say that it would be bad enough if those officials were working for President in office to secure his own renomination. That has always caused bitter feeling, noticesbly in the case of President Harrison. But these politicians on the hill say that it is worse for the federal officials to be forwarding the political fortunes of some particular man who is known to be the Presidents choice. So the is much heart burning and bitterness in the camps of the other candidates.
 Instances Cited.
 Specific instances are being cited of this activity of the office holding class The Taft forces in Florida, who are alleged to have held boting conven- tion after the meeting had selected an uninstructed delegation. made up a slate of offiee-holders. They named as delegates-at- large the following
 Joseph F. Lee. United States collector of internal revenue.
 I1tnIN 1lupD, IecelNeT or the United States land office.
 M. B. McFarlane, United States col lector of customs.
 J. N. Coombs, the administrat tion.s referee on all federal appointments in Florida.
 In addition, the Taft forces appointed delegates from two congressional dis tricts. They were George W. Allen and Henry w 1ar I,a d trict, both postmasters. From the Sec ond district they were D. T. Gerow and D. P. Papy, also postmasters These appointments, it is claimed, are in con fiict with the call of the national com mittee providing for selection of dele gates, and will certainly be contested.
 Int friends in Congress of the other candidates for the presidency also criticising recent events in Missouri. There, it is said, in the late district con- yention in the First congressional dis trict, held at Lancaster, federal office holders were conspicuously active in Sec retary Taft's behalf. United States Sub Treasurer Atkins of St. Louis, it is al- legged, went way up to Lancaster and took along with him Postoffice Inspector Bryson and Revenue Collector Jofh Cat lett.
 Old War Claims.
 The Cooper bill was favorably reported by the House war claims committee to- day. It's passage, which is believed to be probable will place those persons in the south who lost property during the civil war through different means. much nearer a settlement of their claims
 At the present time the government can not be sued in the court of claims for property captured and abandoned during war until the claims have passed the House. After that such claims have 10 go to the court of claims for more adju- dication, then back to the committee and House for direct appropriation. The re- suit has been that heretofore under such a long and tiresome procedure only a small proportion of the claims which are alleged to be due people in the southern states for property captured or abandoned have been settled. Few of the claims have ever been paid. If the present bill passes ptople in the. south may institute their suits directly against the govern ment by filing their claims in the court of claims without having to secure the con- sent of Congress for that purpose. There Is now in the treasury about 900 be- longing to the people of the southern states which accrued under the act of 1863 which has been covered into what Is known as the abandoned property'' fund.- The elimination of the first step in this matter-that Is not having to secure the consent of Congress to sue the govern ment for the claims-ls a big step in the collection of money due the people of the south since the war. The fact that the bill has been favorably reported by the committee makes its chances for passage by the House most favorable. w. s.