Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16
LATTER ARRIVES IN CITY
Has a Talk With the Prospective
Premier of His Cabinet.
RECEIVES ENGINEERS REPORT
Expresses Satisfaction With Work
Draft of Inaugural Address.

Senator Philander c. Knox of Pennsyl-
vania will be Tafts Secretary of State.
This was positively and definitely settled
by Judge Taft and Senator Knox when
the two met here today.
Accompanied by Mrs. Taft. the Presi-
dent-elect arrived in Washington early
this morning. He went to the Boardman
home 1901 P street. where he received
a number OF callers during the morning.
Shortly before l o'clock the engineers
handed their report on the canal to Judge
Taft 1t will probably be made public
by the President tonight or tomorrow.
Hello. Mr.. President
Hello. Taft: I'm glad to see you"
These were the first exchanges between
Judge Taft and President Roosevelt at
I 20 o'clock this afternoon the Pres
ident-elect got out of his automobile and
walked fast into the executive offices.
where President Roosevelt was engaged
with Postmaster General Meyer on some
post Office cases.
Mr.. Taft did not go to the White House
until 80 O'clock and then he remained
only ten minutes. long enough to pass the
greetings of the day with President
Roosevelt. Before leaving he went into
Secretary Loeb's office to shake the lat
ters hand.
Mr.. Taft said he would call on Presi-
dent Roosevelt at $50 O'Clock this after
Panama with him. At that time there
will be handed to the President the re-
port of the engineers as to the work
upon the canal. and questions concerning
the work will be fully discussed. When
this is over Ii Is expected that Mr.. Taft
will remain with the President to talk
over affairs pertaining to the change Of
administrations
Mr.. Taft looked bronzed from his So
journ in Panama. His face was ruddy
and healthful in appearance.
All Doubts Removed.
When Judge Taft was asked today If
there we're any doubt as to Senator
Knox's acceptance of the Secretaryship
of State. he replied that he took that idea
Sd much as q matter of course, since
Congress had cleared away the technical
difficulties. that he and Senator Knox had
barely mentioned II when the latter called
at the Boardman house today, but doubt
on the question might be dismissed by
those who entertained 1t. AS for the legal
difficulties. Judge Taft said that in con-
sidering such a question it was but fair
d
a legal instrument like the Constitution
were sensible, level-headed men, who had
the prevention of a definite evil in mind
when they wrote the section of the Con-
stitution covering the point raised in
the Knox case.
The idea, he said was to prevent Con-
gress from increasing the emoluments of
office under the government, so that
one OF their members could be benefited
thereby. The repeal by Congress of the
law increasing the salary of he
tary of State, so that Senator Knox could
take the position. in nowise runs counter
TO the purpose of the, trainers of the
Constitution. according to the view Judge
Taft takes of the matter. since Congress
could not possibly have intended benefit
ing Mr.. Knox when it passed the bill
raising the salaries of all cabinet officers.
Pleased With Canal Work.
In speaking of his trip to the Canal
Zone. Judge Taft reiterated his previous
ly expressed satisfaction and pleasure at
the way the work is going on. The lock
system will be retained he said, with
slight changes and notifications in the
construction of the dams. The esprit de
corps on the part of those at work on
the iSthmuS, he declared was particuIarl,-
gratifying to him.
The first draft OF Judge Taft's Inaugural,
address has been completed. and work on
the fnal draft will be finished next week
MS aoureSS was the subject of converse
ton between its author and some of his
callers today. He read portions of II to
them. and asked their advice upon those
parts of its contents with which they
we're familiar.
Senator Knox was followed TODAY bv
Senator Lodge, but Judge Taft said that
re and the senator from Massachusetts
talked OF nothing of particular moment.
Other Callers on Taft.
Other callers at the Boardman resi-
dence this morning were Clifford Pinchot.
head of the bureau of forestry; Col
Butt of President Roosevelt's stan, who
talked with Mrs. Taft about the inau
gural arrangements: Charles c. Glover
and Assistant Secretary Winthrop Of the
Treasury
In addition TO the conference at the
White House this afternoon at which
the engineers report will be gone over
by the President and Judge Taft. there
VIII be several other conferences between
me President and the President elect
before the latter leaves Washington to-
morrow.
Mrs. Taft will leave Washington for
New YORK tomorrow morning for Il shop
ping tour Judge Taft will leave for
cincinnati over the Chesap peake and Ohio
railroad tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock
He will not return TO Washington until
February "a