The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-01-26
Declaration Of Postmaster General,
for Government Ownership,
Puts Taft in Hole
RUPTURE THOUGHT IMMINENT
Cabinet Member May Resign Ham
mond Slated for Paris---Miss
Taft Busy

w loLt Sc' Ah@ PSNf
caused by Postmaster General Hitch
cocks pronouncement in favor OF
government ownership of the Ma
tons telegraph lines has only par
TALLY subsidized. A feeling prevails
that before the close Of the present
Congress an attempt will be made by
the Democrats and the insurgent
members of both parties to force the
President into some declaration
either for or against the PROPOSE
ton. Any way 1t is viewed, the sit
uation is ticklish for the President.
An avowal for government owner
ship undoubtedly would ALLEVIATE the
big business interests opposed,
whose aid is looked for in the COM
ing Presidential campaign, while a
negligible stand or an out and out
ayowal against the principle would
cause further breach between the
administration and the radical ele-
ment of the party.
While the President has thus far
refrained from expressing hfmself
publicly, 1t is known that Mr.. Hitch
rocks recommendation has caused
him considerable embarrassment. HI
feels. II II. said that his Cabinet
officer shoufa have delayed until d
more favorable time, that is, when
the political effect of the recommen-
dation would have been less likely
to do injury. At the White House
1t is given out that the President,
In his coming message to Congress,
will merely forward the Postmaster
Generals recommendation without
comment,
Hitchcock May Resign.
This calls up the question of Mr..
Hitchcock's future status in the
Cabinet. A report that he will re-
sign when the affair "blows over"
or shortly before the meeting of the
Chicago convention in June, is given
considerable credence here. 1t lacks
White House confirmation, however.
Color is given the report because of
the understanding that there has
been friction between the President
and Mr.. Hitchcock since the meet
ing of the Republican National
Committee here several weeks ago.
At that time Harry New, of In
diana, wah named chairman of the
committee on arrangements, despite
the vigorous protest of MIR. Hitch
cock. Then sescretary HillIss,> who is
the Presidents political advisor, and
Mr.. Hitchcock disagreed over the
control of the Alabama patronage.
The administration sided with Hill
les.
But In the face of this apparent
rupture, the President insists that
his relations with Mr. Hitchcock are
Of the friendliest character and that
his cabinet status will undergo no
change. The President is mindful
of Mr.. Hitchcock's valuable SER
vices. and is making plain his in
tention to concede a point to pre-
serve harmony.
Want Hammond Appointed.
President Taft Is being impor-
tuned by Washington's millionaire
colony" to choose one of its mem
bers Ambassador to France as Rob-
ert Bacon's successor. The candidate
is John Hays Hammond, the mining
engineer, whose picturesque career
has been filled with romantic Incl
dents. Since retiring from active
participation In mining enterprises
he has devoted considerable time and
money to politics. l<e rs the or
ganizer and financial hacker of the
National Republican Clubs. In the
Taft campaign he was mentioned as
a likely running mate. As mining
engineer in South Africa, he was an
associate Of the late Cecil Rhodes
and hts life there was full OF thrills
For his part In the famous Jameson
raid into the Transvaal, which later
involved England In the South ART
can war. he was sentenced to death,
but was pardoned by President Kru.
(Concludei ~ SECOND pagel