The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-05
a Movement to Put Him at the
Head of the New Department
of Commerce.
The Effect of the Appointment: on
Antitrust Legislation Is
Pointed Out.
Gov. Merriam Is Saying Nothing,
but It Is Not Possible That
He Would Refuse.
Prom The Journal Bureau, Room 49, Post Build
ing. Washington.

4EoW Auc oouiha o"ieoo' A~o'A" -o' ~oeo -
Ing Washington.
Washington. Jan. 5.-Considerable oppo
sition to the appointment Of Secretary
Cortelyou to the headship of the proposed
new department of commerce is cropping
out in the senate. 1t is not strenuous,
however, nor will 1t go to the length of an
effort to prevent MIR. Cortelyou's confirm
alton. should he be nominated; but 1T is
quite substantial and will leave stones
unturned to convince the president that
some other man should be selected to or
ganize the new department and put lt
under way.
This opposition is centering about for
mer Cover ~ w. r. Merriam Of Mime
sofa director of the census, as a proper
man for the position of first secretary OF
Commerce. Within the past two weeks
several Of the most prominent members OF
the senate. Of their own motion, ha1e seen
the president in BEHALF Of Governor Mer-
Ram. They urge his appointment for
several reasons, which will be here out
lined.
The department of commerce, it is al
legged. will be the most important in the
cabinet so long as the trust question is
unsettled. The house amendment to the
senate bill, providing for bureau OF cor
porations. will give the secretary of COM
merce full charge Of the enforcement Of
the details Of any antitrust bill which
congress may pass at this some future
session. Especially will the secretary be
charged with the enforcement of that por-
ton of the antitrust law providing for
the publicity Of the affairs Of great cor
porations. This being the case, it is
urged that he ought to be a man thor
oughly familiar with corporations and cor
pora ton law. from the standpoint Of act
ual contact with the former and a prac-
teal study of the latter. Governor Mer-
RAM. it is pointed out. is just such a man.
his behalf Is the fact that the census bu-
reau will be the most important single
bureau of the proposed new department;
will. In fact. constitute in bulk fully one
half of it. A man who Is already familiar
with the work Of the census bureau, there
fore. would be able to bring the new de-
partment of commerce down to a sound
working basis much earlier than any man,
no matter what his natural abilities, who
is not thus familiar with it. This fact
added to Governor Merriam's practical
knowledge of corporations. thus would
render him doubly available for appoint
me,,t. .-.. o. 1922. ,!s as> >.zzs-
Aaother point being urged in Governor
Hers Jams behalf is that President Mo.
1iyf!ey long had him in mind for cabinet
oCsition. and would doubtless have consid-
cred him seriously for this place had hi
lived.
1t is impossible at present to- measur
but I am told that it will assume consid
cradle proportions as soon as the depart
ment Of commerce bill passes and is signe
by the president. which may not be unit
we'll towards the close of the present ses
sion of congress.
Governor Merriam Says Nothing.
Governor Merriam himself Is doing moth
Ing to forward his candidacy, if that wor
may be used to describe his position an
probably will remain neutral to the emf
He has learned however, Of the move
ment In his favor which has been put ur
der way by certain influential senator
and Of course If appointed would be gla
to accept. for a cabinet position undt
the American government is place whic
almost any citizen would feel honored
being called to fill.
1t is not known that either Of the SCI
ators from Minnesota has thus far dor
anything in Governor Merriam's beha
but 1t will be time enough for them to e.
busy after the bill is a law. Senator Ne
son has been asked several times by 9th
members Of the senate, especially viii
the bill was pending in that body, If
had candidate for the secretaryship, al
he said he had not
The claim is made that President Roos
welt has not made any pledges I'll
prominence OF Secretary Cortelyou in CO
nect1on with this appointment is not d.
to any word from the president, so Il
wise ones say: and it should also be sa
that 1T is not due to any word from N
,Cortelyou. who is possessed of infinite ia
and good sense, and would not lend hir
self to any movement of this charactt
The Cortelyou boom has sprung from Sc
eral sources. quite spontaneously it wou
appear and in the main from the know
edge that the secretary to the preside
1s due to have some important promoti
for long services we'll rendered. He
most talked about. and many of the be
posted men in Washington believe that
II the intention of the president to ei
him the place. Assistant Secretary Io
Is ambitious and desires to be promot
to the first place. and Mr.. Cortelyou's a
vancement would pave the way for til
Mr.. Loeb was secretary to Mr.. Roosey
when he was governor of New York
Status Of the Bill. -
Opposition to the bill itself is not {
termined or factious. There is some d
position to find fault with the list of /
reaus transferred, but that opposit
would exist, no matter how much time a
intelligent thought might be given
question: The house has radically anne,
ed the bill as it passed the senate, and
now appears that the senate will not ;
cept those amendments off hand, but Z
disagree and ask for conference betw,
committees Of the two houses. It is
conference that the bill will finally
licked into shape. It Is conceded i
the house will pass It's own BILL ~.
- WV. Jermant