The Washington herald., 1910-09-28
TAFT TRIMS OWN
POLITICAL POWER
Continued from Page one.


mands for changes In second and third
class post-offices. for political reasons
only. ought to be resisted when the rec
ords of the postmasters are good. and
that is the stand that Mr. Hitchcock has
taken in running the department
Notwithstanding departmental safe
guards, however, political influence still
hangs as an important factor over these
classes of postmasters. and the Presi-
dent and the Postmaster General have
decided that the safest way is TO ask
Congress TO place them under the civil
service laws This would mean, OF
course, that postmasters in the future
would receive appointments upon COM
petitve examinations.
Dissatisfac elton Over Salaries.
The fourth-elass offices in many of the
most popuious States were converted into
the civil service list by President Roose-
welt, and have remained there since.
There has been some dissatisfaction
found with the working OF the civil
service system In this grade OF office,
because the salaries paid are so low that
only a comparatively small number OF
candidates enter the competitive exam
nations. In the case OF the second and
third class offices, however, this difficulty
would not be encountered.
At the beginning of the present fiscal
year there We're go second-class post
offices and postmasters. and $3.50 third
class post-ofices and postmasters. In
the event OF favorable action by Congress
this would mean more than 1000 addition
10 the civil service list. which is exclu-
siVe OF the 1000 or 5000 assistant post
masters that Will be added 10 the lists by
President Taft's executive order. The
Presidents action will affect the Offices
of all the big cities Of the country. where
in years gone by the distribution OF pat
ronage has been a very considerable po-
litical asset.
Postmaster General Hitchcock's friends
credit him with being very much eIated
over Vhe prospect that he will not have
TO NEEDLE in politics for the next two
years in the running of his department
II is understood that he is confident that
he will be able 10 put the department on
practically a self-supporting basis by the
end Of the Taft administration.
Congress- Attitude Uncertain.
What will be the attitude Of Congress
toward the postal reforms is uncertain.
There was objection at the time when
President Roosevelt took away the fourth
class offices from the patronage lists. but
since then many Representatives have
openly expressed the opinion that the
distribution of postmasterships was A
source OF endless trouble for them, and
that {: would be better for their political
welfare if they did not have 10 NEEDLE
with them.
The post-office reforms was one OF the
subjects discussed at yesterdays Cabinet
meeting The remainder Of the days
Cabinet session was taken up In going
over the estimates Of the several depart
ments for the coming year. Considerable
pairing was done on all estimates, and
although the process is not completed.
President Taft and his advisers have
strong hopes OF being able TO keep the
estimates somewhere near last years
figures. The President and his official
family viii spend another full day. and
probably longer. in going over the esti-
mates with fine tooth combs President
Taft is greatly concerned over the ques-
ton OF economy and intends 10 bend
every effort to make the results conform
TO the promises which he has given
The Cabinet finished yesterday with
the naval estimate, which is one Of the
heaviest that they have 20 face The
total OF this estimate will be less than
the one submitted last year, but at the
same time there will be no sacrificing
OF the established policy Of adding two
battle ships a year TO the navy. Two
GOLFERS are also included in the new esti-
mate. II Is likely that the White House
will have some definite information 20
give ont to-day on the total estimates
for the coming year.
Preparing New York speech.
President Taft is spending his time be-
tween Cabinet sessions in preparing the
speech which he is to deliver before the
National League Of Republican Clubs in
New York Saturday.
This speech is going 10 be of consider
able political importance. The President
has been discussing II with the members
OF his Cabinet. It is understood that II
Will include a frank discussion of politi-
cal conditions in the country 1t will
not surprise some Of Mr. Tafts close
friends if he outlines in this speech with
considerable dehniteness his own attitude
toward the progressive movement that
has been spreading over the country.
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
Franklin X Lane called at the White
House yesterday He has been travelling
in Europe and attending the railroad
association meeting over there.