Evening star., 1909-06-23
WANT LOEB PUNISHED
Politicians Angry at Customs
House Reorganization.
COMPLAIN TO PARSONS
President Informed as to the New
York Situation.
BUSY DAY AT WHITE HOUSE
Head of Steam Shovelers' Union
Brings Up Question Of Pay for
Overtime on Isthmus.

Some of the republican district leaders
in New York are making a big row over
William Loeb, jr. They are reporting to
Representative Parsons. republican county
chairman. and Representatives Bennett
and Olcott that Mr.. Loeb has stirred dis
trict politics to a greater degree than any
other man in years and that If he is not
punished in some way the republican
mayoralty ticket this fall may be affect
ed. The trouble grows out of the fact that
Mr.. Loeb, now collector of customs in
J New York. recently reduced about seven
ty-six inspectors of customs and made
them watchmen at salaries far below
what they have been getting.
This action was taken after conference
with Secretary MacVeagh as to the wis
dom of reorganizing the custom service
in New York following the discovery OF
numerous frauds by importers. Many of
the men reduced were either district lead
ers or under the political protection of
the district leaders.
Representative Parsons has had a long
talk with President Taft as to the situa-
tion in New York, and the kick of. the
| leaders to MIR. Loeb. Mr.. Parsons will
say nothing about the matter and mimi
mizes the feeling, which he thinks will
VI
that if he will join in the attack upon
Mr. Loeb and seek his scalp his popular
ity will be great with the district leaders.
) Mr.. Parsons, however. is a longtime
; friend of Mr.. Loeb and they have worked
together in harmony in New York politi-
cal matters.
The President thinks too much of Mr..
, Loeb to disturb him in office unless the
circumstances are unusual. In this par
ticular case the President was informed
as to the necessity for reorganization SO
that the customs office in New York might
| be put upon a substantial business basis.
Mr.. Loeb himself is regarded as about as
good a politician as there is in New York
and it is understood that he took the ac-
ton with full knowledge of the storm of
protests that would follow.
Overtime on the Isthmus.
Thomas Dolan, president of the Steam
Shovelers" Union. had a conference today
with President Taft as to law that was
! passed by Congress at the last session.
tucked away in the legislative appropria-
ton bill, prohibiting payment for over
time on the canal Mr.. Dolan is salts
fed that this conflicts with the eight
hour law. which is in operation on the
submit the matter to Attorney General
Wickersham for an opinion as to Its
validity. The President has promised to
d. this and is in sympathy with the OBJ
1
overtime prohibition of this kind. Mr..
Dolan said that the law was passed to
go into effect July /. Should the Attor-
ney General find that the overtime law is
valid the President will make a recon-
mendation to Congress at the next ses-
sion.
Oil and Gas in Oklahoma.
The oil and gas regulations of the In
terror Department governing leases OF
oil and gas lands in Oklahoma were dis
cused by Senator Owen in a conference
with the President today. The senator
told the President that these regulations
should be amended SO that they Will not
Dear so heavily upon the producers. The
present regulations. he declared, practi-
cally compel a greater production than is
safe and advisable for the lessees and
Injuries their business. The President
said he would consider the matter.
Rev Stephen A. Northrop, a Baptist
minister at Carthage, Mo, wants a good
position in the government service SEN
ator Warner and Representative Smith
of Michigan, the latter a schoolboy friend
of the minister. talked to the President
today about finding a position for him.
| They consulted the President about Mr.
| Northrop some time ago. The President
will give the applicant position If he can
find one.
Representative Pou Of North Carolina,
called on the President today with
II
told the President they were satisfied
with the service of Postmaster ]. D.
Parker of Smithfield. and wished him
continued in Office another four years.
Mr.. Parker has opposition from several
| candidates.
Ex-Gov. Herrick of Ohio visited the
President today and was his guest at
luncheon this afternoon. Mr.. Herrick is
here to attend the merchant marine din
ner tonight.
High School Graduates Presented.
Representative Dwight introduced thir-
ty-one high school graduates of Oswego.
n. Y. Representative Kinkaid of Ne
braska introduced H. H. Andrews of
Galway. Neb. Representative Crumpack-
er of Indiana introduced friends. So did
Representatives Needham and Lloyd.
President Taft is playing golf again this
| afternoon. He and Gen. Clarence Ed
wards are playing against Vice President
Sherman and Senator Bourne
| President Taft has accepted honorary
membership in the American Cross of
Honor. of which Thomas H. Herndon Of
this city is the head. President Mckinley
was an honorary member. Ex-President
Roosevelt. King Edward. Kaiser Wilhelm,
King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, Andrew
Carnegie and others are honorary men,
bers
Mustered In Army and Navy Union.
President Taft was today mustered in as
a member of the Army and Navy Union,
becoming a member of the Presidents
Own Garrison. No. 104 The mastering
in was done by officers of the garrison
Gen. r. c. Galbraith. Col. j. C. Jorgen-
sen. Col. n. w. Tryaon and Col E. B.
Thompson. The ceremony was brief, but
interest
HAILED AS NEXT PRESIDENT,