| Show crop of capital rumors Is abundant I 1 P F thet THE legislative season Is dull the rumor crop is very large and it has been what might be called a season of denials in the capitol recently whisperings of changes in the presidents cabinet were afloat and they multiplied so rapidly and assumed such distorted shapes that they led to vigorous denials from the white house authorities the two iwo in particular that were whispered around were the resignation of secretary of the treasury MaeVe macveagh agh and the elevation of mr tafts secretary charles D norton to the place and the elevation of congressman james A tawney to the position now occupied by secretary of the interior richard A ballinger both called forth the most vigorous denials aside from denying rumors president tafts chief work has been along the lines of the panama canal zone which ho he intends bringing to tho the attention of congress very soon the president nt has recommended and ta fa preparing preparing to urge legislation pria ting large sums for the fortification of both entrances to the canal zone and this in itself will cause a struggle in addition there la Is pending before the senate a bill already passed hy by the house replacing the canal commission by a director general genera era at the head of a civil government the details of which are being worked out by the president moreover there is the question of canal cabal tolls which on the recommendation of the president Is being worked out in a bill by chairman mann of the house committee on interstate inter state commerce he Is also anxious that the tolls to be charged bo be decided on at this session so that there will be time for the worlds commerce to adjust itself to the proposed rates on the subject of fortifying the canal there has already developed opposition and though both houses can bo be counted on to vote for fortifications many long speeches will be made on the other sido either by peace advocates or by congressmen generally hostile to the expenditure of money on the canal the eloc election tion of united states senators by popular vote Is also looming up |
