The Washington times., 1910-07-24
Postmaster Generals Loss of
Influence With President
Held Significant.
PLACE OF ADVISER
FILLED BY NORTON
Resignation and Return TO Arizona
Would Not Surprise
Friends.

Close observers Of the trend Of af-
fairs in the Administration are begin
ming to wonder how soon after his
return from Europe Postmaster Cen
eraI Frank II. Hitchcock viii tender
his resignation
When he sailed for Europe a few
days ago he left in the possession Of
Charles d Norton the position Of
chief adviser and right-hand man Of
President Taft
It Is known that Mr.. Hitchcocks
influence with the President has been
warning for many weeks.
Up TO a few months ago the Presi-
dent turned over TO him many Of th~
Administration problems; he allowed
him 10 deal out the Administration
patronage; visitors who came to the
White House about political affairs
were in many instances sent up 10
the POstofice Department to see Mr.
Hitchcock
Those familiar with the inner work
lnSs Of the Administration began 10
notice q change IN the relations be
tween the President and his Postmas-
ter General after Charles Dyer Norton
gave Up his very agreeable position
IS Assistant Secretary Of the Treas
udy to become Private Secretary TO
the President
The appointment OF Norton was
urged on the President BY Miss Mabel
Boardman, an intimate friend Of the
Taft family; Secretary Meyer, Senator
-AIdrich. Senator Root. and Attorney
General WIckersham.
Need OF Adviser.
The men told the President that he
needed an adviser as well as a private
secretary they pointed out that the
post Of private secretary 70 the Presi-
dent was quite as important as a port
folio in the Cabinet Nj Norton gave
up his place in the Treasury DEPART
nent and went TO the White House NOT
n the capacity OF private secretary in
the sense that Fred Carpenter was urf-
vate secretary, but TO hold down the
Job much after the fashion Of William
Loeb, IT., now collector Of the port Of
New YORK
Since Nj Norton took I'D his duties.
a distinct change has been observed IN
the Presidents attitude toward Mr.
Hitchcock In the old days The Post
master General visited the White House
pretty nearly every day IN the week.
Since Norton took hold, and up 10 the
time the President went TO Beverly
for the summer, Postmaster General
Hitchcock was al the White House. on
days other than Cabinet days. nor more
than half a dozen times at the outside.
His own office was no longer used 10
take care Of the White House overflow.
Any of the people who could zot =
personally disposed Of by the President
were handled BY Secretary Norton.
Hitchcock Less Attentive.
II the old days. when Frank H.
Hitchcock was chief political adviser o.
the Administration. he arrived at the
White House on Cabinet days anywhere
from half an hour TO an hour before his
fellow members Of the Cabinet. and re-
NAMED in consultation with the Pres
ident after they had departed Shortly
after Mr. Norton took I'D his head
quarters IN the White House, It was
noticed that Nj Hitchcock arrived on
Cabinet DAYS at the appointed hour OF
II, and was one Of the first 10 leave
Il is regarded as significant that Mr..
Hitchcock should depart for Europe at
a time when the Republican campaign
IS being shaped up. and his departure
without seeing the President IS deemed
70 be worthy Of more than passing no
tice-
In support OF the claim that Mr. Nor
ton has displaced Hitchcock as the
Presidents adviser, IL Is pointed out
that the new private secretary is al
ways at the right hand OF the President
When Colonel Roosevelt called al Bav-
eTly Mr. Norton remained at the PreSi-
dents side throughout that somewhat
1ruiLess Interview When Senator Crane
was summoned TO discuss the political
Sltuatlon throughout the country Mr..
Norton participated in the conference.
II WIS NJ Norton who practically
made the arrangements for President
Taft TO make two or three speeches in
Maine This was done at the request OF
Senator Hale, who, by The way, Is not
on friendly terms with AIr. Hitchcock
Significant Slight.
Most significant Of al the indications
OF Mr.. HitchcOck's loss OF power is
his failure 10 have his handy man.
Sidney Beiber, appointed collector OF
the pert Of Georgetown The President
nominated Beiber twice, and on each
occasion the nomination was held VI
BY Senator's who had previously shown
10 interest in Beiber- The President
withdrew the nomination, and gave q
recess appointment 10 q. coIored man He
could easily have given q recess appoint
me1I TO BeibeT had he desired TO please
the Postmaster General President
Roosevelt frequently gave recess ap-
pointmentS TO men who had previously
been turned down by the Senate
Many members OF the Senate who ere
close TO President Taft have been dis
pleased with the manner in which Post
TnaSce- General Hitchcock used his DO
SitiOu as chief adviser TO the Admins
70 break his power for several months
and they now believe they have done 50
It is known that a place in the cabinet
was pleasing 10 M HlJchcock because
Of the political influence II gave nim
Should he be deprived OF that. and many
believe that he has been shorn Of thai
power, few OF his friends would be sur.
prised II he should resign during the
fan and go 20 Arizona where he IS IN
where il Is believed, he hopes some day
to be elected TO the United States Sen