Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-13
Change in the Cabinet Is
Pleasing to New York.
THINK 1T HARMONY MOVE
Regarded as Placing Taft in Line
With Progressives.
OLD GUARD NOT FORGOTTEN
Appointment of Millington Expected
to Salve Any Soreness Over
Stmson's Elevation.

New Yorkers in Washington discern
important politics in President Tafts
shifting Of the War Department portfolio.
They say, in brief, that the President has
gone the ancient proverb one better and
killed three birds with one stone, namely:
That he has made long step toward
harmonizing the two factions In New
York politics, the Roosevelt group and
the 'old guard
That the selection Of Mr.. Stimson. fol-
lowing closely upon the appointment OF
Secretary Fisher of the Interior Depart
ment, q friend of the Pinchot and Roose-
welt faction, is further recognition Of that
element of the republican party through
out the country.
That he has removed a cause of fric-
ton to stalwarts of his party at large
who have long grumbled against the pres
ence Of a former democrat in his cabinet,
and whose imagined grievance was ac-
centuated by his placing a democrat at
the head Of the Supreme Court.
Expect Good Effect.
New York politicians here think that
the Presidents voluntary and gracious
selection of Mr.. Stimson is bound to have
good effect with the progressive republi-
cans of New York state. So far as Presi
dent Taft is concerned. he has never re-
garded Mr.. Stimson as being republican
different from himself, or rather he has
considered that he was as good a pro-
Gressive as Mr.. Stimson and his asso-
ciates. However, the calling OF Mr.. Stim-I
son into the Presidents cabinet will be
construed, 1t is said. by the progressives
IS actual and practical demonstration OF
the Presidents thorough accord with the
prOgressives Of New York.
of m
be treasurer at New York is regarded as
. pledge to the ''Old guard that the ad-
ministration Is still friendly to that ele-
ment.
Balm to Old Guard.
Politicians hope that the appointment
OF Mr.. Millington will be balm to the
wounded feelings of Vice President
Sherman. William Barnes, IT,. and the
militant leaders Of the stalwart group
of republicans who were offended by
ton and action of the Saratoga conven-
ton last fall
vice President Sherman's friends were
bitterly resentful OF the treatment ac-
corded him. and held President Taft in
part responsible for his reputation of
Mr.. Sherman's candidacy for temporary
chairman Of that convention.
The feeling engendered By those Incl
dents was manifested, In the opinion OF
many New Workers, In the defeat of the
Stimson ticket at the polls last Novem-
ber Admitting that, If that cause alone
was not sufficient to account for the
great democratic victory, many New
York republicans assigned it as partial
reason at least for the defeat Of the
republican tickets. state, legislative and
congressional.
Are Tired Of Fighting.
The suggestion that perhaps this recog-
nition Of Mr.. Stimson by the President
will be Objectionable to the "old guard"
does not carry weight with New York
politicians here. They say that the fac
ton Of which Mr.. Stimson was the choice
for candidate for governor is by no means
q negligible quantity in New York poll
tics and Is entitled to recognition.
Anyhow. the .'old guard" 1t is said, has
had enough of fighting, and realizes as
well as the others that SO far as benefits
from the cut-throat business are concern
ready to make up and get back to busi-
ness in anticipation Of the campaign for
the legislature next year.
Only Hope in Harmony.
With state campaign in prospect, and
the prelimiuaries Of the presidential cam
paign only year of, both factions OF
republicans in New York state are said
to be ready to bury their differences and
tackle the common enemy The demo-
cratic victory was such a smashing over
turn of the republicans. bloated with
long power, that it has taken them some
time TO realize what happened to thern
but they are beginning now to perceive
that they are out for good unless they
harmonize.
President Taft has stake in the game
IN New York. most decidedly The New
York delegation is practically assured to
him in support of his denomination, for
the ''old guard is on record in favor
Of It. But the vote Of New York in the
electoral college is another proposition
and all republicans agree that as things
have been going on since last November.
and unless the wranglers were reconciled
New York would probably not be found
In the republican column in the next
presidential election.