Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-01
Urges Civil Service Extension
for Postal Employees.
CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS
National Reform League Represent
atives Support His Plea.
KRoCKE HERE FROM NEW YORK
Luncheon With President-Has
Thrown Over Woodward, Whose
Lieutenant He Was.

| DR.. Charles w. Eliot, former president
of Harvard College, and Richard H. Dana
and Elliott H. Goodwin of the National
Civil Service Reform League conferred
with President Taft for long time today
as to further extensions of civil service
among government employees. Post office
| employees are the object for whose benefit
the league Is at work.
Mr.. Eliot stated that there are a large
number OF clerks in post offices which do
not have free delivery who are not now
under civil service protection. There are
likewise large number of assistant post
masters who should be given the protec-
ton Of the civil service laws, the delega-
ton told the President.
| Heretofore assistant postmasters have
been looked upon confidential repre-
sentatives of the postmasters often re-
sponsible for funds, and therefore amen
able to the postmasters.
The President said he would consider
| the recommendations of the league. Per-
sonally he is an advocate of extension OF
the civil service laws as broad as pos
sible. He has upheld civil service con-
sistently since coming into office, and will
adhere TO this policy throughout his ad-
ministration.
Talking About New York Politics.
| F. j. H. Kracke. naval officer of the
port of New York, and, until a few weeks
ago, lieutenant of Timothy Woodruff. re-
publican state chairman, was a guest OF
President Taft at luncheon this afternoon
Mr.. Kracke visited the White House be-
fore the cabinet met. As the Presiden,
was busy, he invited the New Yorker to
luncheon.
Mr.. Kracke hassbeen regarded as the
! strongest of the district republican lead
ers In Brooklyn and likewise as the right.
hand man of Woodruff under all circum
stances. Then came the Albany exposures
and the attack Of Senator Root, William
Loeb and others upon Mr.. Woodruff di-
rected toward forcing his resignation
4 with the threat that federal officehclders
who had stood by Mr.. Woodruff might SEE
the glimmer of the White House ak.
Mr.. kracke quietly Joined the reorgan.
izers of his party. 1t is generally under
stood he has pledged himself to defeat Mr.
| Woodruff's further control of the Brook
lyn republican machine in ample time tc
prevent Mr.. Woodruff controlling the
Brooklyn delegation to the next repub-
lican state convention.
| The decision has been arrived at that
| Mr. Woodruff is not TO be pressed for re-
| tirement as republican state chairman
| prior to September, when a new chair
man is to be elected In the regular way.
| But the extensive influence he has here
tofore enjoyed in New York politics will
be curtailed if the Root element has its
way, which it expects to do through Mr..
Kracke and other men of prominence In
party councils.
President Taft has taken sides to no
greater extent than to approve the ef-
forts of those bent upon retiring the old
| political bosses and putting in their
places new blood, cleaning the republi-
can house inside and out. At the same
| tin e he has conferred with New Workers
to ascertain the situation generally
Taft to Visit Negro University.
President Taft today promised Repre-
sentative Butler of Pennsy lvania that he
will attend the commencement exercises
of Lincoln University. a negro institution
in Chester county, Pa, near the Mary
land line. The exercises will take place
the last of May.
President Taft went to Fort Myer yes
terday afternoon, with Capt. A. w. Butt
his aid, to pay visit to Gen. j. Frank
lin Bell, chief of staff Of the army. who
was injured In a recent automobile ac-
cident. In which Mrs. Herbert J. Slocum
wife Of Maj. Slocum. was killed.
The cabinet meeting today was not long
and was given over to departmental mat