Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-08
designations of Cabinet Of
ficers Not Contemplated.
NO BASIS FOR THE RUMORS
Secretaries Knox and MacVeagh
Latest to Be Mentioned.
LAND FRAUD CASES DISCUSSED
Francis ]. Heney Confers With At
torney General-Calls at the
White House.

Flat denials were made in an Official
directions today of another crop OF cabi-
net resignation rumors. this time dealing
with Secretary Knox and Secretary Mac
Veagh President Taft said he knew
nothing of contemplated designations by
these or other cabinet officials, and short
ly after this direct statement Secretaries
Knox and MacVeagh both made denials.
the former verbally, but strongly. on his
way into the executive offices to attend
the regular cabinet meeting, and the lat
ter both formally and informally Mr..
MacVeagh not only gave out written
statement. but personally declared that
he did not have, the least intention of re-
signing now in the near future, so far
as he could see.
Mr.. MacVeaghs statement is as fol-
lows:
Il have no intention of retiring from
President Taft's cabinet. | do not know
the source of the rumors which are
being circulated through the press. but
they are entirely without foundation"
This is Secretary MacVeagh's reply to
the recent publications regarding his re-
tfrement from the cabinet.
Rumors Without Foundation.
Cabinet officers familiar with the con-
fidential relations of the President and
his cabinet advisers likewise pronounced
the latest stories as without any more
foundation than other stories that have
recently been afioat. The cabinet family
is happy one. it was stated. and If
there are designations within the near
future they will be based entirely upon
individual considerations and not upon
friction or disappointment
The alleged basis for the intended res
lgnation of Secretary Knox is that he
has been forced into a back seat as the
premier of the cabinet. and has been
consulted in few matters outside the af-
fairs of his own department
His great legal knowledge has been al
lowed to go to waste, according to the
gossip mongers. while a new man. Attor-
ney General Wickersham, has been given
'freHtspew IN administration business.
handling all bills and measures desired to
be drawn by the administration By rea-
son OF Mr.. Wiokersham's position at the
head of the Department of Justice he has
been the one most consulted on legal
questions. but President Taft has fire.
quently deferred to Secretary Knox In
matters outside the State Department.
The Presidents policy. announced at the
beginning Of his administration was to
give 10 cabinet officers all business relat-
Ing to their respective departments and
hold them responsible for it's proper
transaction. He has followed this rule
right along.
Treated With Levity.
After the cabinet meeting Secretaries
Knox and MacVeagh walked out OF the
executive offices together causing their
fellow cabinet officers to laugh.
Have you resigned In the last two
hours?" Secretary Knox was asked.
Il am going to wait until after lunch
con- he said. Il hate to resign on an
empty stomach"
Have you resigned?' Secretary Will
son was asked, as he left the cabinet
meeting. Not today" he said. You
know this is not my day. I think IL n
Tuesdays and Thursdays OF each week
given over by some people TO having me-
resign"
Francis ]. Heney Sees President.
Francis ]. Heney, special representative
of the Department of Justice in certain
land fraud cases on the Pacific coast, was
introduced to President Taft today by At
torney General Wickersham. Mr.. Heney
said he had come to Washington to con-
fer with the Attorney General about some
of these cases, especially those Of ex-
Representatives Williamson and Binger
Hermann Of Oregon. Mr.. Williamson was
tried three times and his case is still
hanging, owing to a decision OF the Su:
preme Court. Mr.. Hermann was recently
tried. the jury standing eleven to one for
conviction. There are suggestions that
these two cases, which have been pending
for years, should be dropped, but the De-
partment of Justice has decided to follow
the advice OF Mr.. Heney as to Mr.. Her
mann's case and bring the DEFENDANT to
trial again. The trial, however, will b
some time off, owing to an appeal that
has been taken to the United States cir
cult court by the alleged co-conspirators
Of Mr.. Hermann in the cases.
Mr.. Herman's attorney, A, 8. WorthmS-
ton of this city, thinks that the decision
in those cases should be awaited before
proceeding further. Mr.. Heney, too. 10
tired out and Will leave win ms w1e
the last of this month for trip TO
Europe. When asked today II he was
going to Europe to see ex-Presfdent
Roosevelt he said that was not the pur-
pose of his visit and ne haq no engaee>
ment to confer with the former President
1t was possible, though. he would see Mr..
Roosevelt while away. The two men have
been warm friends for years There is
some doubt whether the Williamson case
will be pushed to trial by the govern
ment another time.
Missouri Judicial Appointment.
President Taft has had conferences with
Senators Warner and Stone as to the can
didates who are mentioned to succeed
Judge John F. Philips of the United
States court for the western district OF
Missouri, who is to retire in the next few
months No decision has been reached
as to who the successor will be. There
are a dozen candidates and the President
is inquiring into the fitness and aualifica-
ton of each.
Cherokee Indian woman whose vosce
has attracted wide attention WAS intro-
duced to President Taft today by Repre-
Sentative Creager of oklahoma She 10
Wrs III C. Mcdonald Of Muskogee. Mma-
Schumann- Heink heard Mrs. Mcdonald
sinr and pronounced her voice q wonder
Ell ono She agreed to aid In sending the
vo,,n9 woman to Italy to have her edu.
cetad and she Is now on her way 20 ehe4
country.
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