The San Francisco call., 1910-04-04
TAFT TO SPEAK
IN DEFENSE OF
ADMINISTRATION
President Determines TO Answer
Attacks and Carry War Into
Enemy's Country
Senator Lodge, Duncan McKin-
lay and John Hays Hammond
Will Aid Chief

WASHINGTON, April 3.-The Taft
administration is about to defend itself
sggressively before the people of the
United States.
Convinced that the public mind has
been Impressed by attacks upon the
administration in many parts of the
country and that criticisms can not be
permitted TO pass unanswered without
injury to republican prestige, the party
leaders have decided to carry the war
into the enemy's country"
President Taft is now declared to be
ready and anxious to assume the Of
fensive. The opening guns viii be fired
next Saturday in Washington by the
president in person and in Chicago by
Attorney General Wickersham.
Taft viii speak in this city on the
subject Of organization and he viii be
supported by other powerful orators Of
the republican party. Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham's subject viii be the
policies Of the administration.
Other speakers on the planform with
Taft viii be Senator Lodge, Represent
atiVe Mckinley of Illinois. chairman Of
tee. Representative Duncan McKinlay
Of California and John Hays Hammond.
PLANS FOR LEGISLATION
The party. it is said, expects conf
IDENTIFY TO close the session of congress
with interstate commerce, statehood,
postal savings. anti-injunctions and
Conservation legislation TO its credit.
Little is being said by the party
leaders about the issue Of 'Cannonism"
beyond the statement that this ques
ton will take care of itself at the right
time. The only explanation vouch-
ssfed for this comment is that Speaker
cannon Is expected to resign the speak
ership al the close Of the present ses-
sion OF congress.
No official statements on this subject
are expected from the speaker. His
friends believe il would be inadvisable
for him TO weaken the organization of
The house at this time by disclosing
his intentions
There are rumors that before the
congressional elections some changes
may he expected in the presidents
cabinet but none of these stories can
he confirmed In fact. no one pro-
fesses to have any first hand informa-
ton on the subject. At the same time
the general impression seems TO be
that an effort will be made to
strengthen the cabinet in d political
way
CABINET OFFICERS TO RETIRE
AMONG the retfrements oftenest men
toned as possible are those of Secre-
tary Dickinson and Of Postmaster Cen
!. aral Hitchcock. Also. il is said, Secre-
-srv Ballinger may resign from the in
terror department after the present in
vestigation. If the change can be made
without subjectiug himself to the
charge of retiring under fire
some Of the party leaders are urging
upon the president the advisability of
appointing to the treasury some man
who has been affiliated with the party.
There is no dissatisfaction with the
administration of Secretary MacNeagh.
but some politicians argue that the
president should not hesitate to use
every leverage to advance the admins
tration politically.
II two or more changes should be
made in the cabinet. il is said, with
some show of authority, that one of the
places would go to William J. Loeb Jr.,
former secretary to Roosevelt and now
collector OF customs in New York.
No one in the confidence of President
Taft il is said, would be surprised
II the vacancy on the supreme court
bench. ca used by the death Of the late
Justice Brewer. should be offered to
Governor Hughes Of New York.
Il was stated that Governor Hughes
had not been sounded on the subject.
but the general opinion seemed to be
that he would not accept the place. It
IS generally expected here that the ap
pofntulent Will go to Solicitor General
Lloyd ". Bowers.
scyTHAT WILL ROOSEVELT Do."
What will Roosevelt DO when he re-
turns 10 the United States2 is the ques-
ton most often asked about the capitol.
II is a question that no one is able to
answer. but il furnishes the excuse
for a great deal Of gossip and much
interesting speculation.
Those who are inclined to the view
that the former president will take is
sue with the administration Of Presi-
dent Taft are reminded by astute poll
ticfans that Roosevelt is "in pawn" for
the success Of the Taft regime; that his
influence nominated Taft, and that il il
IS needed to sustain the Taft admins
tratfon II viii be freely given
Notwithstanding cabled reports to the
contrary. the consensus of opinion here
IS that Roosevelt is holding to his an
nounced determination mot to talk pol
tics It is not believed here that any
one has been authorized TO speak for