The San Francisco call., 1909-03-07

Taft takes more time than did his
predecessor In making the acquaint-
ance OF his callers. and insists on
knowing not only their full names. but
their residence and matters of family
history. The result is said to be that
1t requires as much time for him to
meet ten men as it did for Mr.. Roose-
velt TO greet a hundred
Slip in Giving Oath
The ceremony OF administering the
oath OF ONCE to the six members OF the
Taft cabinet who presented themselves
at the White House today, which was
performed by Chief Justice Fuller, was
witnessed by President Taft. The Ger
emony recalled to the new president
the incident OF his own oath at the in
auguration. The chief justice in read
/ ing the oath obligated Mr.. Taft ito
faithfully execute the constitution" in
stead of "the Office of president" This
slip has been a subject OF pleasantly
between Mr.. Taet and his secretary OF
state, who it is said remarked ae the
time in an undertone to Mr. Taft, don't
do it, The oath, however. is consid-
cred sufficiently binding.
Cabinet Members Sworn In
All but two of the nine members Of
President Taft's cabinet are now in
Office. Six. including Secretaries Knox.
Meyer. Ballinger. Wilson and NageL
and Postmaster General Hitchcock.
took the oath OF Office in the cabinet
room today. Attorney General Wick
ersham was sworn in yesterday and
Secretary Dickinson and Secretary Nc
veagh will present themselves for duty
within week or so.
1t was announced today that Secre-
tary Cortelyou would remain at the
head of the treasury department. until
March 10.
i President Taft issued a proclamation
calling congress in extraordinary ses-
sion March is to revise the tarifr. The
weather calamity which overlook the
national capital on Inauguration day
has created such general public de-
mand for change OF date for the in
auguration that the prediction of con-
gressionaI aetion on this seems to be
general
Will Retain Committee
The continued existence OF the ma
tional conservation committee seems to
be assured, notwithstanding the action
OF congress. which has been inter
preted to discourage the continuance
OF this body.
The president conferred today with
the joint committee of Representatives
Of the national and state bodies OF this
organization. The position OF the ex-
mittee was appointed by President
Roosevelt as a consulting body on the
question OF conservation OF the natural
resources of the country. and that the
states indicated their willingness for
cooperation by appointing consulting
committees. That such an arrange
ment can be carried on without con-
gressional approval and without fed
eral expense. seems to be the decision
reached.
!, Meets Correspondents
Mr. Taft had his first conference as
president with the corps OF Washing
ton newspaper correspondents at the
close of the day. He greeted the score
or more Of men personally. and stated
that in fairness to himself. it would be
his policy that quotation marks should
not embrace statements of news which
might be given out at the White House.
When he desired to make formal
statement it would. he said. be ad-
dressed to congress or be embodied in
a speech
William Loeb. IT.. whose nomination
to be collector Of the port OF New
York. was confirmed by the senate to-
day. was presented With silver loving
cup OF heroic design BY the Official
STAFF of the White House The mem
bers Of the Taft family who are in the