The National tribune., 1910-12-15
WANTED,
A GOOD POLITICIAN
TO Take Charge of the Presi-
dents Campaign-The Parcels
Post in Congress-TrOuble as
to Salaries.

President Taft is now looking for a
good politician who can take charge of
nlany matters of politics and prepare
the way for the 1912 campaign. II
there We're any prospective vacancy III
the Cabinet he might seek 10 bring
such a man to his council table. But
it is said On good authority that there
is no likelihood of any change in the
Cabinet for some time to come.
Just what status the new man will be
given is not announced, and it is prob
able that the President has not given
the matter final attention yet. The talk
about selecting a new Chairman of the
National Committee which prevailed
some time ago is idle. A new Chairman
could not be chosen without calling the
National Committee together. and pre-
cedents and practice are both against
such a course. Ex-GoV. John f. Hill,
of Augusta, Me-, is Acting Chairman of
the committee, and will undoubtedly
continue in that office up to the neXt
National Convention.
The new man presumably Will be
some one who can be in Washington
much of the time and who can lie in
close touch with the President. He
might be an ex-senator or one who soon
viii be. The selection will probably be
made very quietly, and it may happen
that the name of the new political man
ager and adviser will only be made
plain with the development of his activ-
tiles with reference to the Presidents
political future.
1t is becoming very plain in numerous
indirect ways that the President IS going
ahead on the assumption that he will
I've the nominee in 1912. He has been
told by more than one influential Re-
publican in recent days that the condi-
tions all point TO his probable nomina-
tion, and that he might just as we'll be-
gin to bear it in mind and shape his
course accordingly.
Indeed, the attitude OF most of his
party here in Washington toward him
in a political sense is clearly based on
the assumption that he will be the only
logical candidate. That hardly includes
the insurgents, OF course. But Repub-
licans believe the President by wise
procedure can do much in preliminary
way TO improve his own prospects and
also to put the party into condition to
fight vigorous campaign.
Prospects of the Parcels Post.
There appears to be some slight hope
for parceis-post legislation at this ses-
sion of Congress. No one can safely
sz,y yet that it is assured. There are
many pitfalls in the way. However,
the earnest recommendations of the
Postmaster General and the President,
piled upon many similar recommends
tons of former years and a very aggres-
siVe public sentiment may result in an
enactment that will inaugurate AN eX-
pertinent upon a part or all the rural
delivery routes.
Congress does no. appear TO be hos
tile in either branch to>the experiment.
The difficulty is in another direction.
The rural carriers have been cIamoring
for an increase Of salary Their de-
hlands run to about $500 a year more,
and the Inaugural of parcels post OK
pertinent upon rural routes would be
followed by more foFcible request
Than ever that these increases be grant
ed. The increases would run into Il lot
of money. perhaps as much as Sl0.-
0V0. 600 more a year In these times OF
Government economy and Of efforts TO
wipe out the postal deficit that would
be a big item.
There is "A large army Of postal en-
picyes. and the grant of an increase to
the rural carriers would give the city
carriers. the post office clerks and the
railway post office clerks an argument
Nearly all Of them are clamoring for
larger pay and bringing much pressure
upon Congress to vote it. Republicans
say that the postal vote went against
them in most localities last November
The attitude OF the postal employees in
tilis regard has become such a factor
that President Taft was giving il seri-
Gus attention last Summer.
Representative Weeks, Chairman OF
the Post Office Committee, will be asked
TO tackle the question of the cural par
GELS post. He is friendly to the ;dea
and would like TO see the experiment
given a good trial. Senator Penrose, nf
The corresponding committee at the