The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-24
Temporary Solution of Sec
retaryShip Problem
Is Report.
FINDS METROPOLIS
BAD PLACE TO REST
Taft Home Besieged at All Hours.
To Confer With
Hitchcock.
By JAMES HAY II.

by JAMES nal JI.
NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-That George B.
Cor9elyou may be invited by Mr.. Trait
to remain for a time at least as head of
the Treasury Department Is a report
which coVles from a high source here
today.
1t is based on the confused situation
now arising from the delay in finding a
suitable man for the place. who can
clear upu his business arrangements
and connections in time to take the post
on March 4.
There has come at last matter which
Wall Street cannot understand. The
-'street' is utterly at a loss to under
stand who will be Secretary of the
Treasury. 1t is a matter, in which the
brokers and big financial operators are
most vitally interested. For the last
two weeks, they have been throwing
Esnds-springs in their efforts to find out
who will be the man TO act as the pre-
siding genius of the cOuntTy'S finances.
Today they admit they can not solve
the mystery, but they accompany the
admission with a prayer 1Or informa-
ton.
II. as is reported from what seems
to be good authority, Mr.. COrtelyou is
invited TO remain as Secretary Of the
Treasury for a time. 1t will be done In
order to give Mr.. Taft and his advisers
a period long enough to get the man
thev want for the job.
1t has been found in several instances
that men who were considered suitable
for the position have sidestepped it be-
cause OF their inability to get their
business in such shape as would per-
nit them 10 go into the Cabinet with
out injuring their own and other peo-
ple's financial affairs.
No Place to Rest
that New York is not the place in
which the rest cure can be taken. In
the first place many people have dis
covered that, although the telephone
operators have been instructed to an
swer all calls for the Henry Taft resi-
dence by saying the telephone has been
disconnected, the house can be gotten
on the wire. In addition TO the merry
tinkle Of the phone bell, there is n con-
tinual clatter Of vehicles stopping in
front OF the door, and OF politicians
rushing madly into the house.
In view of these things, Mr.. Taft has
gotten no rest, neither has he prog
ressed much further than the title line
of the magazine articles he came here
10 write.
Before he went TO the funeral OF
Stewart Douglas Robinson, the Presi-
ing, he was called on by Joseph Choate
and Booker T. Washington. Mr.. ChOate
called to Introduce lawyer who want
ed to see Mr- Taft about some matters
IN the pure food law affecting his
clients.
Immediately after the funeral. Mr..
Taft returned 10 his brothers residence,
where Timothy l. Woodruff, chairman
OF the Republican State committee, was
awaiting him. Mr. Woodruff S mission
concerned Federal appointments in New
York State and after a brief conference,
further consideration OF them was de-
.SSed until after the inauguration.
To Confer With Hitchcock.
Frank II. Hitchcock, the next Post
master General, arrived in New York
early this morning at Mr.. Taft-s re
quest and Will have conference this af-
1ernoon, which will deal principally
with the Secretaryshfp Of the Treasury.
it is possible that this conference may
result in the selection Of a man who
will feel free 20 take the place March
:. II II does not, IL seems certain that
Mr.. Cortelyou will be asked 10 remain
rs Secretary until the matter can be
settled in satisfactory manner. If this
is DOM. Mr. Taft will have the novel
experience OF having in his Cabinet
Two men who aspired 10 the position
which ne now holds They viii be
Knox and COTtelvOU
In addition 10 the conference with
Hitchcock this afternoon, Mr.. Taft will
also have talk with George Wicker
sham, the next Attorney General Yes
terday he was in communication twice
with Senator Knox on the long distance
telephone and he will probably discuss
with him in tnis manner this evening
fhe results Of his talk with Hitchcock
and Wickersham
The President-elect is scheduled for
but one more public appearance in this
city before his inauguration That will
be tomorrow evening at the banquet
given In honor Of SenatUr-elect Root
Saturday morning Mr. Taft will take
the train for Washington, where he will
be the guest Of " J. BOardman in p
street until the inauguration.