The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20
Rumor Selecting a Cabinet
for the President Elect
Knight of California, Who Is Being Doomed
by Senator Perkins, Has No Chance
By c. C. Carlton
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

NEW YORK, Dec. 19.-Although
President elect Taft has distinctly stat
ed that as yet he has made no announce
ment OF cabinet selections and will not
make any announcement in advance of
his assumption of the presidential office,
it is well known that he has made up
his mind about some names that have
been publicly mentioned. 1t is under
stood that for secretary of the navy
he wants an experienced man, for of all
the cabinet portfolios demanding eX-
pert knowledge or experience that of
the navy ranks foremost. Appreciating
this fact the various presidents in re-
cent years have selected their secre-
taries of the navy with regard to their
peculiar fitness rather than for political
reasons Thus President Cleveland in
his second term appointed Hilary A..
Herbert of Alabama, chairman of the
naval affairs committee of tho house of
representatives, to be secretary of the
navy; President Mckinley selected John
d. Long of Massachusetts on account
of his experience on the committee of
naval affairs in the house of representa-
tives, while President Roosevelt for the
same reason selected victor III. Met
calf of California
For these reasons It is believed that
George A. Knights name will not be
considered for this appointment, al
though his friends are making some
effort in this direction. Senator Per-
kins is. of course, interesting himself
in behalf of Knight for reasons that are
we'll understood in California. although
he realizes full well that Knight has
no chance. If Senator Perkins himself
were willing to accept the cabinet port
folio that would be a different matter
He is well posted on naval matters by
reason of long service on the naval
affairs committee This would leave a
pretty clear track for Knight in a.
race for the senate, but it is under
stood that Senator Perkins is well con-
tent to remain where he is.
The latest New York name suggested
for cabinet portfolio is that of John
j. McCook a member of the noted
lighting McCook family" and it is
believed that his chances are excellent.
for 1t is understood that at least one
cabinet place will go to New York
This state has two representatives in
President Roosevelt's cabinet. Root and
Cortelyou, but it is the general expecta-
tion that the secretary of state will
succeed Platt in the senate, while Sec
retary of the Treasury Cortelyou will
probably accept the presidency of the
Union trust company of New York city
Senator Spooner. who is now a resi-
dent of New York city, is mentioned
for the cabinet also, but the mere fact
that he Is one of Harrimans counsel
would initiate against his appointment
even If he were disposed to accept
which would be doubtful, for it is uns
derstood that he draws a princely sal
ary from the Hartman interests
Spooner is not only an able lawyer. but
he has strong influence in Washington.
President Roosevelt, in making
comparison, or rather a contrast, be-
tween Spooner and other senators said.
a few months ago, as he snapped his
fingers: IT care more for the little
finger of Spooner than for the thigh
of all the rest OF the senate This
forcible though inelegant reference to
the intellectual prowess or spooner