The National tribune., 1909-01-14
CABINET MAKING.
Keen Interest, but Little Satisfaction as
to the Membership VIII Loeb Be 10

IL 10
If human footprints remained dis
tinguishable on the Senate carpet these
DAYS, or on the tiling Of the vestibule
of the Rules Committee. or on the flag
ging in front Of a beautiful terra Gotta
residence on K street, they would tell a
powerful tale of the curiosity Of politi-
clans. In other words. Philander Chase
Knox, Senator from Pennsylvania and
prospective Secretary Of State, has re-
turned from his visit to Taftville, in the
State of Georgia. The Taft Cabinet is
supposed to be made up. Mr. Knox is
the only man, except the President
elect, who knows the names of the men
that will gather around the long table
at the first meeting in March, unless 1t
be the new Postmaster-Genera Frank
II. Hitchcock.
Hence the facility with which Sena-
tors drop around to his seat in the leg
islative chamber. 1t Is interesting to
note the naturalness with which they
step his way for a few words Of con-
versation, and how his personal popu-
larity increases day by day.
Retfcent Senator Knox.
But on Cabinet matters Senator Knox
is the king of all the sphinxes. He is
always ON his guard against word or
a sign that might tell the story so many
are waiting to hear. And apparently
he must keep the secret for six or seven
weeks, What a load TO carry on ones
mindi
The Senator has close cronies in pub
lie life. The official world here is won
dering whether he will whisper a syI-
liable to any one Of them. Here Is a
tantalizing example. Senator Crane, OF
Massachusetts,, and Senator Knox are
like brothers. They ride to and from
the Capitol in one another's automo-
bile. They lunch together. They visit
one another early in the morning or
late in the evening, as the spirit moves.
If there is one thing In the world SEN
ator Crane would like to know just
now 1t is whether Postmaster General
Meyer Is to be retained in Cabinet
position. If Mr.. Meyer is to be retained
it means that Senator Cranes col
league. Mr. Lodge, has won a signal
victory with the new Administration
1t means volumes to Senator Crane in
State and National politics for the next
few years.
1t is well understood that Senator
Crane can keep secret as tenaciously
as Senator Knox. The latter knows 1t
Perhaps he will whisper something to
his friend some fine morning; perhaps
he will not.
But the drift of the human tide OF
politicians to the place where Senator
Knox sits continues He is grave al
ways, but affable, and to date the visits
to the Sphinx have yielded nothing tC
the pilgrims in the matter of Cabinet
hints.
4 political sprout of very great
Rooseveltian Importance in campaigns
two years and four years from now
and in party affairs generally is under
careful observation here IN connection
With the makeup of the new Taf
Cs binet. The "allies' of the past Sum-
m sr are hardly more concerned about
1t than are some of the nearest friends
of the President-elect. 81
Both coteries are asking with almost
equal interest whether Secretary Loet
Is really going into the Cabinet The
retention of Postmaster General Meyer
in the next Cabinet. whick many think
is now very probable. has something OF
a similar bearing.
No well-informed person here doubts
for moment that President Roosevelt
fully intends to continue as a positive
party force after he has returned from
Africa. His arrangements in New York
looking to his own election to the Sen
ate in 1911 as successor to Senator De-
pew, show as much No authoritative
or definite announcement. Of course,
has been made about that, any more
than there has been about the Presi-
dents request that Mr.. Loeb be given
a Cabinet position. But 1t is almost as
authoritatively understood in Washing
ton. A persistent report has been cur
rent for some time not only that the
President asked Mr.. Taft to give Mr.
Loeb a portfolio. but that 1t was re-
fused.
Loeb and the Cabinet.
The politicians say that Mr.. Loeb's
presence at Mr.. Taft's council table
would be of undoubted advantage tc
Mr.. Roosevelt in whatever plans he may
have for himself and for welding ar
imply that Mr.. Loeb as Cabinet off,
Ger would be disloyal TO his new chief
But Mr.. Loeb's long and confidential
association with President Roosevelt
would assure the latter q channel ol
intimate communication regarding the
conduct of affairs, especially Of politi
cal affairs, which simply as an ex.
President and as the forEer Nationa
leader he might not otherwise have.
OF course, 1t may be an overwise in
depreciation of present-day develop
ments, but the politicians at the Capt
tol are saying that IL the request fol
Mr. Loeb's advancement to the Cabinet
is finally denied, it Is well worth not
ing. They even go as far as to pro-
claim such decision as additional evi-
dence that Mr.. Taft fully intends to be
his own President.
The same thing would be said pre-
or con, but in less degrne, If Mr.. Meyer
should continue in the Cabinet, or, tC
some extent, il any OF the more pro-
nounced pro-Roosevelt men in the
| present Cabinet should be retained, such
as Secretary of the Interior Garfield
MIR. Meyer has been a very intimate
friend of President Roosevelt for years
and was touching elbows with him IN
National politics before Mr. Roosevelt
saw the White House looming in the
path Of his career
! In a broader aspect-probably on
worth more consideration-the ques
| ton of the conservative and the radica
influences in the next Cabinet are re
ceiving consideration by the politician
who congregate at the Federal Capita
of Winter. They were quick to EN-
phasiZe the selection Of Senator Kno.
for Secretary of State as significan
recognition of the conservative Repub
lican element. 1t denoted to these poll
ticians an inclination to swing ava
from the spectacular and allow tn
anti Roosevelt wing Of the party NOR
of a voice. They also nodded thei
heads sagely when Ii became know
that Mr.. Taft had written to Speake
Cannon, asking his advice about gettin
a Secretary OF the Treasury from TIL
Speakers home State of Illinois.
The President a Continuing Force.
President Roosevelt resents any an
pearance that his political influence
waning His Wintar'o oo ,,,n,;ov N ooine