Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-28
Begins Weeks Apprenticeship
at White House.
LEARNS DETAILS OF WORK
Will Officially Become Secretary to
President April 4.
TAFT INVITED TO INDIANAPOLIS
Marion Club Asks Him to Deliver
Address-Caleb Powers
May Win Out.

Charles D. Hilles, who will officially be-
come secretary to President Taft next
Tuesday, has begun a weeks apprentice
ship at the White House. under the
tuition of the President and the retiring
secretary. c. d. Norton. Mr.. Hilles was
on the job today. falling into the routine
with an ease that bespoke the future sue
cess that has been predicted for him in
his new place.
The actual change Of secretaries will
not, as stated, take place before next
week. After Mr.. Hilles has taken the
oath of Office Mr.. Norton will go to Hot
Springs. Va, for fifteen days rest before
assuming his new duties as vice president
OF the First National Bank of New York.
Republicans who are looking to Mr.. Taft
as the republican nominee for President
next year believe Mr.. Hilles will prove a
most valuable man as secretary. He has
shown himself to have a wide and clear
knowledge of the game and of the men
who play it in this country. He has
done important work in the political line
and Is credited with many successes and
Few mistakes. His temperament is some.
thing like that of the President in the
elaboration he shows in handling ques-
tons coming before him.
Is a Hard Worker.
Mr.. Hilles is a hard and consistent
worker, although apparently getting
through his duties with ease In the
Treasury Department he was frequently
at his desk far into the night and Sec
rotary MacVeagh always found that he
was up-to-the-minute with his work.
One thing Mr.. IIilles will settle shortly
will be that Of reorganzing the executive
force Of the White House. as provided
the last Congress. Mr.. Norton prepared
the legislation, which reduces the number
Of employees in the executive offices by
about ten, but increases the salaries OF
number Of the higher officials.
Mr.. Hilles has leased the house at 2119
Connecticut avenue for his future home
In Washington and will shortly take pos
session. The house was recently occu-
pied by Representative Swager Sherley
of Kentucky.
R.-F. Davidson and Charles o. Roemler.
a committee from the Marion Club of
indianapolis, today invited the President
to speak at some future date before the
club. 1t is probable that if the Presi-
may accept the invitation. He has tenta-
lively accepted an invitation extended
him by ex-Representative George w:
Steele to visit the National Soldiers
possibly July 4. When he does go to
Marion he will also go to Indianapolis
and attend a banquet of the Marion
Club, the most active and leading re-
publican organization of that city.
Charles F. Remey, former reporter OF
the supreme court Of Indiana. saw the
President today in regard to the federal
patronage questions now pending.
Caleb Powers May Win.
Caleb Powers. representative-elect from
the famous mountain district of Ken
lucky, is practically sure to win his fight
as to certain patronage in that district.
Powers won the nomination and election
over former Representative Edwards.
whose term expired March 4. Mr.. Ed
wards. before going out of Office. wanted
to name the postmasters in half a dozen
of the leading towns of the district,
among them Barberville and Williams
burg. He claimed he was entitled to the
patronage as the representative of the
district. Powers, aided by Senator Brad
ley, fought this contention hard, claim
ing that Edwards should not be allowed
to build up a machine in q district shortly
to be represented by Powers. President
Taft delayed action on the appointments
and Powers now comes into what he
claims to be his own. Edwards is still
fighting to keep Powers from having the
appointments and asks the administration
to name the men recommended by him.
There were evidences today that the
President will follow the recommendations
Of Powers