Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-24
FIRST TIME \ IN HISTORY
Declares Taft Will Take Place With
Nations Beloved Presidents.
CUSTOMS PLAN MAKES ROW
Democrats Object to Presidents Pro
posed Reorganization-R
Medal Presentation Discussed.

The only woman who ever brought the
electoral vote Of state to Washington
called on President Taft today. She is
Mrs. Margaret Zane Witcher of Salt
Lake. She arrived In the city last night
and today deposited Utah's vote. going to
the White House later to meet the Presi-
dent.
Besides the honor of becoming the Of
fetal messenger for the vote of her state,
Mrs. Witcher was one of the four cleo
tors for Taft In Utah. The other three
electors decided that she should come
here with the vote:
Is Regular Politician.
Mrs. Witcher has long been prominent
In republican politics in Utah. She is just
retiring as county clerk of Salt Lake
county. after q number Of years in that
position. She is proud of the fact that
Utah stood by Taft. and declares that
the President will become one of the best
beloved chief executives the country ever
had as the wisdom Of his administration
Is understood by the country.
Rostron Medal Presentation.
Senator Smith Of Michigan, who head
ed the special committee that conducted
the investigation into the Titanic disaster,
talked with the President today about the
ceremonies of delivering to Capt. Rostron
Of the Carrathia the medal awarded him
by Congress. The design for the medal
was completed some time ago, and the
medal is now being made. Capt. Rostron
will be notified to come here and receive
the honor from the hands Of the Presi-
dent when the medal is finished.
Senior Don Juan Riano Y Gayangos, the
Spanish minister. this afternoon intro
duced to the President Marquis de la
Baga Inclan. distinguished Spanish
statesman.
President Taft will go to Baltimore to-
morrow night to attend the annual ban
quet of the Merchants and Manufacture
ers' Association. He will leave Washing
ton about o'clock, returning after the
banquet.
Reorganization Causes Row.
The vigorous objection to the reorgani-
Zation Of the customs service along the
lines being worked out by the Treasury
Department. under direction of Assistant
Secretary Curtis, may prevent the plans
reaching President Taft for approval be-
fore he goes out of Office. The latest OBJ
lection to the reorganization is that GER
tain parts of it are not legal under the
authority given the President. 70 deter
mine the question. Secretary MacVeagh
referred the matter to Attorney General
Wickersham, who will render decision
as early as possible
The advice of the Attorney General is
especially sought as to the extent OF the
Presidents authority in the abolition OF
ports, supports and certain customs Of
fees. The President is convinced that
the law providing for the reorganization
gave him sweeping authority to make
any and all changes.
The question was discussed with
other departmental matters, at the cab
met meeting today. The President and
Secretary MacVeagh are daily deluSed
with protests against consolidation OF
ports and abolition Of officers. These
protests are strong from democratic SEN
ators and representatives. who are eX-
pecting to fiji positions now held by re-
,publicans with democrats.