Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
Senator Lodge Believed to
Have Convinced Taft.
CAREFUL NOT TO SAY so
George r. Sheldon Also Cautious Not
to Tell What He Knows.
BAR OPPOSES JUDGE HUNDLEY
Declares He Is Incompetent by In
telligence OF Learning and Has
Played Politics.

George Won L. Meyer Postmaster Gem
eral, is believed to have been selected by
Mr.. Taft for position in his cabinet.
He is to be either Secretary OF the
Treasury or Secretary of the Navy. is the
understanding.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,, who
got back to Washington this morning
from Augusta, where he went to talk
with Mr.. Taft in behalf OF the retention
of Mr. Meyer In the cabinet, called at the
White House today and talked with
President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Lodge was cautious In his answers
to questions about the possibilities OF the
Taft cabinet. His attitude. however. was
not that of a man who had been unsuc-
cessful in his mission.
Sheldon Careful; Says Nothing.
George r. Sheldon. treasurer Of the re-
publican national committee. who has
been at Augusta and at Aiken. g. c., play
ing golf and enjoying himself outdoors.
was another White House visitor. He.
too. was circumspect In discussing the
cabinet outlook.
All reports. though. agree that Mr.. Taft
is in no hurry to wind up the selecting of
advisers. and seems to be giving less at
tention to that problem than to other mat
tiers before him.
cabinet selections until near the date of
his Inauguration. Some Of them. at least.
will have to be put over until after his
return from Panama in February.
Strong points favorable to Mr.. Meyer
are his close. personal relations with Mr..
Taft. both in and out OF the Roosevelt
cabinet: his successful administration OF
the Post Office Department: his all-around
business and executive ability and his
backing by Senator Lodge. whose quiet
work for Taft in Massachusetts, and else
where throughout Now England during
the campaign for the presidential nomi-
nation was highly regarded by the in
coming executive.
Fight on Judge Hundley.
Serious opposition to the nomination Of
Oscar r. Hundley to be United States dis
trict judge Of the northern district Of Ala
bama has developed and was today laid
before both the President and Senate.
Congress created the additional judge
ship for the northern district OF Alabama
in February, 1907. There were a large
number OF candidates for the position.
ticing attorney at Huntviile. presented
some fairly strong papers. His nomina-
ton was sent to the Senate, where con-
frmation has ever since been held up.
sentative Richardson Of that state.
At frst the lawyers OF the district did
not join in the fight. Now they are said
to be practically unanimous In desiring
Judge Hundley's name withdrawn from
the Senate.
A strong petition to that effect was
placed in the Presidents hands today by
a delegation from the northern district.
introduced to the President by Repre-
sentative Underwood and headed by ex-
Representative w. F. Aldrich, repun-
lican.
The delegation will work personally at
the White House and Senate to have the
nomination withdrawn, and, IL this 10 not
done, to have 1t defeated in the Senate.
The petition declares that q sample OF
the objection to Judge Hundley Is found
In the action Of the bar Of Birmingham.
which December 10 passed q resolution OF
serious objection to Judge HundleE
Not Fitted, Says Committee.
A committee appointed by tho Birming-
ham bar to state its objections declares
that a large number Of the lawyers OF
the district. "after anxious and careful
consideration, with full realization OF
the gravity of their position. are pro-
foundry convinced that Judge Hundley is
not by character. intellect or learning
fitted for the important position to which
he has been appointed and that his con-
f1rmation would be detrimental to the
public welfare"
Judge Hundleys motives in appointing
receivers are pointed to as evidence of
his incapacity. 1t Is charged that he has
played politics in these appointments
and has not comported himself with the
dignity and delfberation that should
characterize the bench. Various cases
are gone into. notably that Of appoint
ments OF receivers Of the Southern Steel
Company.
Judge Hundley's whole course in the
nfry ho ha hoc
bench distinctly marks him. IT is al
legged. as entirely too small for his place.
Working for Judge Adams.
North Carolina people who called
upon President Roosevelt today believe
nominated by the President as Judge
OF the eastern district OF North Caro-
lima. to fill the vacancy made by tho
death Of Judge Thomas r. Purnell.
Mr.. Adams qualifications for the judge
ship were laid before the President to-
day by North Carolina delegation. head
ed by p. G. Duncan, republican national
and A. H. Price. Of Sails
States marshal of tho eastern district
The visitors said that Mr.. Adams had
the cordial backing Of the three repubii-
can memberS-elect Of the next House. OF
Judge Jeter c. Pritchard and others.
him.
Harry Skinner. former representative
from North Carolina, and at present
United States attorney Of the eastern
district, is a candidate for the tudGeship.
but the prospects seem to favor ex-Judge
Adams. who was for several years one Of
the judges Of the United States In the
Indian territory.
Object to q Postmaster.
Senator Overman of North Carolina to-
day saw the President to ask the with
drawal from the Senate Of the name of
]. NJ Burrows to be postmaster at Ashe-
boro, N. C. Since the name Of Burrows
was sent to the Senate there has been
so much objection from the patrons OF
the post Office that Senator Simmons felt
called upon to ask that the name be not
pressed.
Baron Moncheur, the Belgian minister,
who has been away from his post on
leave for nearly two months. called on
the President today to pay his respects.
Public Comfort Committee.
Chairman NJ. 1. Weller of the public
comfort committee this afternoon an
nounced the appointment OF his executive
committee as follows: