The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-17
President-EIect Says He Will
 Be In His Cabinet
KNOX AGREES WITH TAFT
Two Hours Conference Is Held Be- tween Roosevelt and Taft and Every Evidence Is Given of Mutual
 Good Feeling.

Washington, February 16--In the opinion of President-elect Taft, Philander c. Knox is now legally eligible to receive the ap- pontment of Secretary of State. That he will be the premier in the Taft cab inet was again positively stated by MT. Taft tonight at the White House, the statement being made after two confer ences today between the Presdent-eleet and Mr. Knox.
 MT. Taft went further and gave it as his opinion that no court could entertain an action based on the constitutionality of MT. Knox's coming appointment, for the reason that the first question that would arise in such a proceeding would be whether Mir Knox was de factop official of the government. This ques- tion, he maintained, would have to be an- swered in the affirmative, and there the proceeding would end.
 That MT. Knox shares these views was made evident by MT. Taft in the unequiv- oca1 declaration that the Pennsylvania senator was to be his Secretary of State.
 With this question finally discussed and settled, with the unanimous report of
  ent procedure in constructing the Pan anna canal in the hands of President Roosevelt, to be transmitted to Congress tomorrow, with message of indorsement by him, and with a demonstrative scene of cordiality toward himself by President Roosevelt, Mir Taft concluded a very busy day and declared he was going to bed early. He saw many people at the Board man residence, where he and Mrs. Taft are guests, during the day, but stated that the calls were all of minor import ance.
 It was o'clock tonight when MT. Taft emerged from the Presidents office, hav- ing ended a two hours conference with MT. Roosevelt, participated in by the board of engineers. In the outer office he was discussing the canal report which he was pleased to say was unanimous, and had stated his position regarding MT. Knox's appointment to gathering of newspaper correspondents, when Presi- dent Roosevelt, dressed for his evening walk, came out. He stood for a mo- ment unobserved, but with an expression of pleasurable enjoyment on his face as the questions were being hurled at the President-elect.
 q would just like to see you take a few kinks out of him." he remarked to the correspondents, smiling as he ad- vanced and took hold of the lapel of Tafts coat. This does me good"
 Then addressing Mr. Taft the Presi- dent inquired: Am I going to see you tomorrow?'
 There are few questions, MT. Taft admitted, he would like to talk over at the White House in the morning, and an engagement was made.
 Then the President slipped his arm through that of the big Ohian and led him down the steps of the executive of fees and the two conversed for some minutes, after which Mir Taft stepped into his automobile and the President started for his walk
 The jocular remarks of the President and his hearty cordiality in addressing MT. Taft as WHIP left no doubt in the minds of the observers that to all ap- pearances there exists the heartiest ac- cord and good fellowship between the incoming and outgoing Presidents No developments whatever had taken place regarding his cabinet today, said MT. Taft. He regarded his important &C., complshments the settlement of the Knox situation and the completion of the canal report. MT. Taft explained that the re- port was intended to give a general view of the canal situation. In accordance with a request to the board of engineers, they are to make a supplemental report later to Colonel Goethals, which will deal with a number of purely technical en- gineering questions such as the amount of cement to be used in various lock con- structions, the lock machinery and such matters. It was stated upon authority that President Roosevelt heartily approves the report.
 Mrs. Taft will take an early train for New York tomorrow and MT. Taft will leave in the afternoon for Cincinnati