New-York tribune., 1909-02-17
TAFT WITH PRESIDENT
RE4SURY PORTFOLIO RE
PORTED FILLED.
Engineers Canal Report in Message
To-day-No Question of Mr..
KnOr's acceptance.
IFrorn The Tribune Rureau.1

a., early this morning and went at sonce TO the
hon.e Of Mr.. and Mrs. Boardman. which will he
.beir Washington residence until March 8. when
they viii go 10 the White House as the guests
n. the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
Nr Taft had two conferences with the Presi-
s.nt today and may have another tomorrow.
Tste this afternoon Mr.. Taft and the engineers
,u.bo went with him TO the Canal Zone called on
,ba President and submitted the report Of their
Investigations. The President viii send the re
-,r+ with a special message TO Congress to-
-,o-row noon. at which time ii viii be made
-uhic The report is unanimous. and strongly
endorses the lock type Of canal Il recommends
that the dam at GatUn be lowered by thirty
ssa+ This does not mean. however, that the
7svel Of Gatun Lake. which is to be eighty-five
feet above sea level, will be lowered, the origi-
nal plans having provided for the erection OF
+be dam considerably above the level of the
lake
The Presidert-elect dismissed almost un-
worthy Of consideration the suggestion that Sen
afcr Knox might not accept the port1oho OF
Secretary OF State. He said there was no ques-
,,on as 10 MI Knox's acceptance. When asked
- anv legal difficulties might arise because OF
,he questioning of the legality Of the signature
of the Secretary of State when attached 10
-souisiti7n papers. he said that almost any
opestjon might be raised by lawyers seeking to
court would for a moment entertain plea
heed on ALLEGED niegahty Of a Secretary Of
c,s+s Who had been confirmed by the Senate,
-sbo was recognized as Secretary OF State by
,he President and was performing the functions
CT that Office
II is asserted in well informed circles this
s1sn.nr that the President-elect has offered the
Treasury portfolio TO Judge Willis van De-
ranter. Circuit Judge Of the Sth Judicial Cir
cult and that Judge van Devanter has accepted
Judge van Devanter, who is citizen Of Wyo-
ming was for six years Assistant Attorney Cen
eral being assigned 10 the Department Of the
Interior He was appointed Chief Justice OF the
Supreme Court of wyoming when that state
vas territory by President Harrison. and is
regarded as a man Of exceptional ability
tits learned that George W. Wickershan, Of
xex York. whom Mr Taft has chosen for Attor-
ney General came TO Washington to-day and
formally accepted the portfolio.
TO MEET ENGINEERS AGAIN.
= Taft said he had had very pleasant
chat with the President and that he might see
NJ Roosevelt again tomorrow. although that
was not certain He has made an appointment
70 T7est the consulting engineers Tomorrow
roor when he viii discuss with them their
Recommendations regarding certain details II
The canal construction notably the dimensions
% she Caturn dam core and the sill OF the dam
g; Mira Flores.
n was O'Clock tonight when Mr.. Taft
emerged from the Presidents office, having
ended the two hours conference with Mr.
Roosevelt and the board OF engineers. In the
outer Office he was discussing the canal report
with gathering Of newspaper correspondents,
when President Roosevelt, dressed for his even
ing walk came out He stood for a moment
enobserved, but with an expression Of enjoy
rlent on his face, as the questions were hurled
a. fhe Presdent-elect-
y would just like 20 see you take few kinks
out Of him. he remarked 10 the correspondents
smiling. as he advanced and took hold Of the
lapel Of Mr.. Taft's coat This does me good
Then addressing Mr.. TAFT the President lr-
Quirad:
Am going 10 see you tomorrow. WHIP
There were few questions" Mr.. Taft said
ne would like 10 talk over at the White House
n the morning. and engagement was made
Then the President slipped his arm through that
Of the big Ohioan and led him down the steps
q the executive Offices and the two converseo
for some minutes after which MI Taft stepped
into his automobile and the President started
for his walk
Mr. TAFTs FUTURE PLANS.
So convinced IS the President-elect Of the ad-
visibility Of continuing the construction Of the
canal along the present lines that recommen-
sible the progress Of the lock system viii form
an important part of his message TO Congress
when it meets in special session.
Speaking Of his future plans Mr.. Taft said
d would start for Cincinnati tomorrow at
, H. coming East again in time 70 speak In
Philadelphia on February q He VIII then go
TO New York and return here on the oath II
ne can possibly get away he will attend the
oinner to be given in New York in honor Of
Senator Root the 2eth, returning TO Wash
sngton Immediately. AS has been told, he Will
remain the residence of Mr.. and Mrs. Board
man until March 3. Mrs. Taft will go TO New
York tomorrow on shopping trip She will
rs3on Mr.. Taft when he returns TO Washington
from Cincinnati
Among the callers on the President elect to
cay were Senators Lodge. Aldrich, Knox and
Kittredge; Clifford Pinchot. chief Of the bureau
CT forestry: Colonel Butt the Presidents aid;
Beekman Winthrop. Assistant Secretary Of the
Treasury, and Charles c. Glover, of the inaugu-
rsl committee
The President-eiect discussed with Senator
Alorich the time for calling the special session
Of Congress. and finally told the Senator TO take
NE matter UP with the Speaker. and, when a
oecision was reached, 20 advise him. Later in
TIE day Mr. Aldrich called on the Speaker. and.
~zile no decision was reached, IT was agreed
tAat date not later than March 15 would be
Feeonrnended. They expect to meet again to-
sent TO Mr. Taft
Ar. Tan told his callers TO-DAY that he was
most anxious TO have the Mann Panama govern
inent biE passed at this session.
~
IslcA REMAINS DISCOVERED
Lima Peru. Feb. .s.-Professor Hiram Bingham.
g fa1e University. who is in Southern Peru on