The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Present Work Under CoIOne GoethaIs VIII Be Very
 Fully IndOrsed
CABINET MEMBERS HAVE
 NOT AL BEEN CHOSEN
Position of Secretary of the Treasury. Has Not Yet Been Filled, But Others Are Announced With
 Some Degree of Certainty.

Cincinnati, February 14-Mr. and Mrs. Taft arrived in the home city of the Pres ident-elect from Panama and New Or leans in d driving rainstorm this morn ing. They were met at the station by Charles P. Taft and driven at once to his residence, where they are to be guests until noon tomorrow, when they leave for Washington. Mrs. Taft contemplates visit to New York, while the President elect will, after spending one day at the capital, return here and remain until Saturday
 The day was devoted to a call at the home of Mrs Tafts parents and return to dinner to c. P. Taft's residence. MT. Taft had no political conferences.
 The trip to Washington tomorrow is of importance inasmuch as it's primary ob- jeet relates to the report of the engineers who accompanied MT Taft to Panama This report Is expected to be placed in his hands upon his arrival there Tuesday morning. With the engineers he will take the document to the White House. where it will be the subject of general confer enee with the President The contents of the report have been forecasted, the features being a strong indorsement of the carrying out of the present canal plans: a commendation of the organiza- ton under Colonel Goethals and reoom- mendations teGding to show that what ever error has been made was the sioe of excessive precautions for safety.
 While in Washington Mr. Taft expects to have conferences with Senator Knox and with others whose advice he values relative to cabinet appointments
 The cabinet gossip which is regard ed as the most reliable, and stated with the understanding that MT. Taft has de- clared he would reserve the right to deny all cabinet suggestions, is that no one has been determined upon for the treasury portfolio.
 Senator Knox and Frank H. Hitchcock have been asked and have accepted the positions of Secretary of State and Post master General As to the other places unconflrmed rumor, with fair percent age of likelihood of correctness. makes the cabinet of MT. Taft as follows:
 Attorney General. Mr Wickersham of New York.
 Secretary of War, MT. Wright, Tennes- see.
 Secretary of the Navy, Mr Meyer. Mas sachusetts.
 Secretary of the Interior, MT. Ballinger of Washington state.
 Secretary of Agriculture. MT. Wilson of Iowa.
 Secretary of Commerce and Labor, MT. Nagel of Missouri.
 It is the general understanding that MT. Taft wishes to fill the treasury portfolio either from Illinois or Ohio Should the place go to the President-elect's own state it is the belief that the honor will fall to Myron T. Herrick.
 MT. Taft's announced position is that he will keep all appointments open until the very last minute. with the view of meeting any situations that may arise with the least embarrassment to all con- cerned.
 Another of the matters of consultation which will be taken up in Washington, where Mir Taft will remain until Wednes- day afternoon, will be his inaugural ad- dress. This speech has been outlined and will be submitted for criticism.
 On his return here Thursday MT. Taft will be made Mason on sight" an honor rarely conferred by the Masonic or der On Friday he has a private dinner engagement with the founders of the Taft Citizens club of this city, and Sat urday he will leave for Philadelphia, not to return here until after his services an President may conveniently permit.