New-York tribune., 1912-01-23
From The Tribune BureauJ

HITCHCOCK LOYAL-The President
took occasion to-day to make IT perfectly
clear that he places absolute trust in the
lovaItv of the Postmaster General, that
be regards all reports rejecting on the
lovaltv of MIR Hitchcock OF intimating
that he is doubted by his chief as enanat-
ing solely from a desire TO make miscmet
and that he is exceedingly sorry that Mr..
Hitchcock should be subjected to such an
novance President Taft realizes that
some, at least. Of these stories have grown
out of the fact that Ormsby McHarg, VINO
was Mr. HitchCocks attorney in the pre-
convention contests of four years ago, has
recently been approaching the same men
10 whom he appealed then as the repre-
sentative Of Mr.. Hitchcock, but that he Is
acting now as the representative of George
W Perkins, who is seeking 10 promote the
demand for ex-President Roosevelts nom
ination. This is. in the estimation of the
President merely a coincidence-in fact
A perfectly natural course, for what could
he more natural than that in seeking TO
nromote the interests of any candidate
NIcHarg should approach the men with
whom he has an acquaintance and whom
he found four years ago to be influential
I'm their several communities. President
taft also realizes that the fact that Mr.
Hitchcock is taking no part in politics is
incomprehensible to certain people, who,
because he is not handling the politics Of
the administration, imagine that he must
be engaged in political work for some one
else. Nevertheless. the President feels
that even partisan zeal does not warrant
so grave charge of disloyalty and treach-
cry as that preferred against Mr.. Hitch
cock, and that neither Democratic nor IN
surgent desires to create discord or an ap-
nearsnce Of discord are sufficient excuse
for such grave reflections on the character
of a Cabinet officer.
NOT AFTER BARNES.-There Is no
warrant for the report that President tart
&c whottlng his snickersee for Niliiam
Rarnes tr If an attack Is TO he MADE on
Mr. Barnes Mr. Taft knows nothing about
Il Rurnors have reached Washington that
certain loyal friends Of the President In
New York believe the time has come when
the chairman of the state committee
should fish or cut bait and that they pur-
nose TO read the riot act TO the Albany
boss. hut II any such step is contemplated
M one here knows anything authoritative
about II. and the White House knows noth-
ing at all. Assurances have reached the
WHITE House. however. that the Presi-
dents friends will be IN the majority In the
etate convention and that the delegates-at-
large will be instructed for him. Further
assurances are to the effect that the dele
,ates from New York. Kings, Erie and
considerable number of other counties VIII
he instructed for Mr.. Taft.
WILL. HONOR PRESIDENT.-It was
snropnced to-day by the British Ambas-
sador and by the White House that the
Duke of Connaught would pay his re-
enects 10 the President of the United States
on Thursday afternoon at o'clock. II Is
further explained that that is not an AFTER
thought or the result OF any gossip put
merely the observance Of time honored
custom Of royalty, TO call upon the ruler
of 8 nation when making any sojourn IN
country with which the visitors country
"a on friendly terms The British AmoaS-
sador also invited the President 10 dine AT
the embassy on Thursday evening, when
the Duke of Connaught will be guest
but the President was compelled, with gen
nine regret, TO decline the honor as he
| had already promised TO be the guest AT
| dinner Of the Postmaster General on uld'