The Washington times., 1909-02-25
Bankers Flock to Taft, Fear
ing Non-Selection of Man
From New York.
MACVEAGH SEEMS q
TO BE THE CHOICE
Naming of Secretary May Be
Withheld Until President
Elect Comes Here.
By JAMES Hay, Il.

=
NEW YORK. Feb. 25-Appointed to
be Secretary Of the Treasury by the
entire population of the city of New
York, Franklin MacVeagh, Of Chicago,
now needs only the formal Endorsement
Of Mr.. Taft TO make his calling and
election sure
1t was stated this morning on more
or less reliable authority that no an
nouncement regarding a selection Of the
head of the Treasury Department will
be made until after the President-eIect
arrives in Washington Saturday
On the other hand there are many
wise ones who still contend that the
announcement may be forthcoming this
evening or tomorrow. The uncertainty
has created a highly exciting situation
W all street is alternately in despair and
Indignation, as it becomes more and
more apparent that a New York man
VIII not Be given the portfolio. As
matter Of fact il can be said that no
man from the Empire State Will get the
place.
Mr.. Taft, who early this morning got
new grip on his idea Of resting, had
10 let so Of IL again. His callers were
high nuanCierS, men who throw millions
of dollars around as If the precious
stuff were made Of grass. In the list Of
visitors were Isaac y. Seligman, James
Sheffield, and George r. Sheldon.
Bankers in Panic.
Hitherto the bankers Of Wall Street
have been content to give able advice
about the Treasury Job over the tele-
phone or by special delivery letters.
but today they fOcl1ed in in person and
set forth their opinions IN language both
emphatic and wise. But they were not
phenomenally successful. There is still
prevailing impression that MaCNeagh
viii be the man selected, and that, If
he is not, some other Westerner will be
the lucky man.
The pressure 10 get authoritative in
formation regarding the matter is tre-
mendous. 1t comes from the brokers,
the bankers, the big financial operators,
the FneWs agencies, and many gentle
men In various parts Of the country
who are statesmen according 20 the
blue book
To ell these queries Mr.. Taft replies,
with affability. that he has heard OF
Franklin MacVeagh, that he is in fact
acquainted with him and that he knows
that the gentleman lives in Chicago.
Further than that his conversation on
the subject is limited to a smile which
is battling in its brilliancy.
The other man in New York today
VINO knows all about the matter is
rank T. Hitchcock, the next Post
master General Surprising as il may
seem, Mr. Hitchcock is not cOmmunt-
CstiVe about II.
II is understood here that the situa-
TIE delay in the announcement, but
what that situation is has not been re-
vesled.
Bad for Scubes.
From the newspaper men who are
charged with the duty Of ascertaining
who the selection viii fall upon come
loud cries OF chagrin and annoyance.
They are hot-footing it Up and down
Broadway from hotel 10 hotel, seeking
out politicians who have succeeded in
creating the impression that they know
al about IT, Every time word gets
around that a new statesman has blown
I'm on the Great White Way, a regiment
or newspaper men charges the hotel
hich shelters him and comes avys.y
without the desired news
IT seems sale 20 say that so far Mr
Iatt mas let the information OF his
cHolce get 70 very few persons. and
those who know f. have been aazpfd
with eminent success
When all is said and done. however
u seems practically certain that Mac
Neagh is the lucky man He Ie a law
Yer, and, since he STOPPED DractfclDp,
has been in a big grocery business
inere3y having the opportunity TO ac-
law Of supply and demand and other
Things more or less closely related 10
the science Of money
Van Devanter Out.
Judge Van Devanter is admitted To
be ont OF the running, and there seems
10 be no likely man in the field other
than MacVeagh.
The President-elect still has Nj
Hitchcock in the city and will have
another conference with him this after
noon II time can be found for it the
President-eleCt will take a walk or an
automobile ride this afternoon. as he
ie tired Of being cOOped up IN the house
and withstandiug for twelve hours q
day the earnest conversation Of gen
tiemeu who are emphatic about what
they think.