The Washington herald., 1912-01-16
TAFT APPRAISED
BY HITCHCOCK


7. conftnusd from Pegc one.
the fact that the relations between Mr..
Taft and the Postmaster General are
strained. The bald truth Is that Presi-
dent TAFT and some of his advisers want
70 avoid any open break With Mr.. Hitch
cock. They realize that Hitchcock stili
has strong control over Southern Re-
pubiicans. and that the enforced retire
ment Of Hitchooek from the Taft Cabi-
net might endanger the Presidents hold
upon the delegates OF the South. Fur
thermore Il would precipitate a row IN
the Republican National COMMITTEES that
might work grave harm TO Mr.. Tafrs
Chances.
HiteheoeI<'s Hold strengthened.
This feeling on the part Of Mr.. Taft
and some Of his advisers that Hitch
cock Is indispensable has strengthened
Hitehcock's own grip upon the situation.
and has made him probably more inde-
pendent than be might otherwise be. II
seems incredible. however. that present
conditions. under which Mr.. Hitchcock
most Of the time appears to be hauling
one way and Charles ID. Hiiles and others
OF the Presidents political supporters
the other. can long continue. The cross
purpose political IRE is certain to result
In injury TO the Presidents chances.
Yesterdays situation brought out all
sorts OF charges and stories about Hitch
cocks activities and also answers from
his friends. Hitchcock's enemies have
charged that his purpose IN giving out
the government ownership statement.
without the Presidents knowledge, was
TO create a situation that would permit
him 20 break openly with the President
and leave the Cabinet free to resume his
political activities in the interest Of any
candidate that he desired. These enemies
Of the Postmaster General added that II
was Hitchcock's real ambition 10 retain
his grip upon the Republican National
Committee, and not devote himself to
the Post-ofice Department
Mr.. Hitchcock's friends answered these
statements by pointing TO the patch
ing up OF the misunderstanding over the
government ownership proposition at yes
terday's White House conference.
Seeks TO Quit Politics.
They added that the Postmaster Gen.
erals sole ambition was TO. divorce him.
self absolutely from politics and to de-
vote all his time 10 making a notable
record for the management OF the af-
fairs Of the Post-ofice Department Mr..
Hitchcock's friends explained his oppo-
sition TO Mr.. Taft's wishes in regard to
the selection OF Harry New as chairman
Of the committee on arrangements OF the
Republican National Committee on the
ground that the Postmaster General felt
IN honor bound TO stand by ex-Gov. John
Hin, Of Maine. for this place. He was re-
sponsible for Hilfs accepting the nominal
Craftsmanship OF the National Committee
IN 1900. and he felt obliged TO protest
against the humiliation of Hin BY the
selection Of New as head Of the arrange
msnts committee In his place. Further
more, HItchcock's friends understood
that President Taft was impressed with
the justice OF Hitchcock's position.
Another instance in which the Post
master General and Mr.. Taft's secretary
have seemed to be at loggerheads recent
Iy was IN the case OF an effort by A H
Martin, national committeeman from Vir-
ginia, to have himself reelected. The
Hitchcock people say that the Presi-
dents advisers were obliged to bring
pressure TO bear on the Federal once
holders Of Virginia TO defeat an effort
Of Hitchcock and his friends to land the
place for Hitchcock man.
Has Not Interfered.
The Postmaster Generals supporters
declare that he has been grossly misrep-
resented in this case; that he had not
interfered actively in the Virginia situa-
ton, and that what he had done had
been merely In an effort 70 harmoniBe
the factions and TO make the situation
surer and stronger for President Taft
Many other guesses were made yester-
day as to the Postmaster Generals mo-
dive for giving out his public owner
ship announcement. Some Of AFR. Hitch
cocks critics professed to see In It mere
iy an attempt to force the Presidents
hand on this important question They
pointed out that Mr.. Hitchcock had made
the recommendation a year ago, and that
Mr.. Taft had blue-penciled It The Post
master General. they add. probably had
reson to suspect that a similar fate
waited the recommendation this year.
and he may have desired TO focus public
attention upon the proposition
The Postmaster General himself ac-
knowledged that he went about the prep
aration oS the publication OF the an
nouncement deliberately, but he has told
his friends that he had no particular
motive beyond giving publication to the
facts that were In his annual report.