The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-12-30

with KNOX TO 0ecl0e Wn0Iner ne lS
to remain, and Wilson has personal
reasons for his desire to hang on q
little longer. A senator Of distinc-
tion, who has talked with the presi- !
dent, says that Knox more than once
has expressed his desire to lay down
his work as secretary Of state. 1t Is
even intimated that his friends sug-
gested q way out to the president
last month. The suggestion was to
make Knox chief Justice Of the su-
preme court, and both senators from
Pennsylvania took warmly to the
proposition. Mr.. Taft. however, could
not be brought to view the sugges-
tion seriously and Knox was passed
by. Attorney General Wickersham is
blamed for this blow to the ambition
Of Secretary Knox.
Status Of Knox and Ballinger
Indeed 1t is said that the control
ling influence of Wickersham In
many white house matters, backed by
Senator Roots advice, has much to
do with the desire Of Knox to retire.
He feels that he is not the ranking
member Of the cabinet and that his
plans have been unduly interfered
with. Mr.. Taft, however, is fond Of
Hrox and regards him as splendidly
I 8 Tor certain work which must be
h. ocf through diplomatic circles.
Sevel q oators are confident that
Knox ", o. remain. and the fact
that the b. dent has discussed a
probable SUCCESSOR shows there Is un-
certainty.
Ballinger must get out. He finds
that the sentiment of many former
senate friends is against him and the
belief Is that his resignation has heen
filed to take effect on March !. This
seems so settled that powerful friends
of James A. Tawney already have be-
gun to work in his behalf with the
president. They say there Is no doubt
Of his fitness and that the appoint
ment would be popular. His defeat
for congress they do not regard as
a factor against him, but the presi-
dent will hesitate before putting into
his cabinet man who was rejected
for the house of representatives last
month by strong Republican con-
stituency. 1t is said majority of the
Tawney.
Norton Gossip Tops Loeb.
1t is generally conceded that Mac
Vcd6u 10 CtAAAA6 pdAIAJ OCSduoO VI
| i'll health. 1t is agreed he has accom-
plished a lot of work in reforming
the treasury department. Only two
names are mentioned in the gossip
coming from senators who have been
in the white house. Mr.. Taft is said
/ to look with extreme favor on Charles
d. Norton, his secretary. The presi-
fdent has comesto rely more, and more
upon Nort0n tn very Important Ques-
tions, and has found him a broadly
equipped man. Nortoh's name has
been mentioned. in conversation by
the president, but few of his callers
have suggested Collector Loeb Of New
York. These men say that Loeb's
grasp of governmental affairs through
his service in the white house and his
knowledge of the treasury department
should prove invaluable to the presi-
dent. Secretary Norton, however,
leads in all the gossip relating to Mac
Veagh's successor. 1t is not improb-
able, however, that when the proposed
cabinet changes get down to final dis
cussion that the president may take
at least one of his new men from the
distinctly progressive group of Re-
publicans.
This would do much to create the
harmonious situation which the presi-
dent desires after March 4, when the
lower branch of congress will be hos
tile to his administration. It would
also stop much of the criticism heard
about Wickersham. In respect of the
last named man, his stoutest defender
is the president. Mr.. Taft is con-
vinced that within year the depart
ment Of justice will have proved itself
effective against the criminal trusts,
and will have convicted some Of the
big fish that have always escaped the
attorney generals net.
Wickersham, 1t is insisted, is going
about his business in the right way,
and has accumulated q tremendous
amount of evidence that the courts
will admit in the criminal prosecution
of the men who have been or are to
be indicted. The president expects
that this feat of the department Of
justice will do much to prove that the
Republican party proposes to carry
out its pledges.
All efforts to get white house con-
firmation Of the cabinet changes fail
ed, but so many senators admit q
knowledge Of the case that there can
be little doubt the president is pre-
pairing for the reorganization.
There is also talk that Mr. Taft is
using all his persuasion to unite the
Republicans In the senate. He may
be successful when Aldrich goes out.
The insurgents, so called. LaFollette
excepted. seem inclined to meet the
presidents view, providing that GER
tain pledges for legislation are made
part Of the program. It would not
be surprising to find after March
that there will be far more harmony
than was looked for when the Novem-
ber election returns were heard.
WERE MURDERED
Wealthy Bachelor Brothers Were Vic.
Tins Of Foul Play.
Portsmouth, Ohio, Dec. 30-That