The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-24
REFEREES MAY
HOLD To Jobs
Understood President COnttm-
plates No Change in South
WILL NOT ALWAYS AGREE
Referees Cannot Always Count on Him
to Follow Their Recommendations.
Preparing for South at
Inauguration.
WILL NOT ALWAYS AGREE

Washington. December 2S-(Speeiai9-
THE President" said Representative
Smith of Michigan today. seems to be
satisfied with those persons he has Sc
lected for his referees In the several
southern states, and l believe there will
be no changes in the personnel during
the next administration"
Mr.. Smith called at the White House
to see the President this morning about
current reports that the President was
dissatisfied with his patronage refrees and
wholesale changes were in contempla-
tion. Mr.. Smith has a number of former
constituents who now reside in southern
states, principally Alabama and Miss
lsslppl. They had written him to ascertain
with whom they should stand in" after
the fourth of March. The President said
he had no complains to make over the
present status of patronage affairs, and
so far as he was concerned there would
be no char $.
The speculation concerning changes OF
referees in the southern states has orlgi-
mated largely with the friends of the
referees themselves. This is due to the
and then does not hesitate to disregard
their recommendations whenever he cares
to. Naturally the referees sometimes
feel like throwing up their job. Several
days ago a prominent southern republi-
can, who has been given full sway by
the President in the matter of federal
appointments. said he would not hold
the position unless his recommendations
should be accepted. If | am to be
turned down" said he, "on half of my
recommendations and made to feel that
can never tell whether my man will
win. I am in no better position than the
politician on the outside
Has No Defined Policy.
| The truth Is that the President has no
policy about the appointment of men TO
public office In the south, or for that
matter the north. He allows his so-caled
referees to recommend but does not hest
tate to turn them down when stronger In
fiuence is brought to bear. Any member
of congress or any referee in the south
who thinks his recommendations arc GER
tain OF being accepted IS preparing him
self for a very hard fall. There will be
eral appointments in the next year, and
1t will. be found that the President and
rot members of congress or state organ
izations make appointments.
For over a month Representative
Brownlow of Tennessee and r. II. Nc
NELL, formerly private secretary oil sem
ator Prltohard of North Carolina. have
been writing the republican organiza-
tions and prominent business men OF the
= .rtata for
missioner of Internal Revenue John
Yerkes for place in the cabinet. 1t Is de-
clared that the petition which VIII De
PRESENTED to the President asking Tor MI
Yerkes' appointment Is one Of the big
gest on record, and that the Presldeu
cannot fail to be persuaded that there IS
not only very strong feeling In the
south for cabinet officer, but there is
also belief that Commissioner fePkes
should be the man. Mr.. BrownloW WIN
call at the White House shortly alter
the holidays and tell the President that
the south should have a place IN tne
cabinet and Yerkes should get H. II is'
of course known that the caplnet as IL
Will go in to the senate on March Is de-
termined upon, but It Is realized that De-
fore many months have passed away
there will be a number OF changes, ana
n is for one of these places that Mr..
Brownlow is working.
South VIII Participate.
| The Inauguration committee is said
| 10 be receiving encouraging news from
! the south concerning the participation OF
| southern organizations In the inaugural
| ceremonies March t. and the Indications
at present are that a number OF states
which cast their electoral vote against
Roosevelt will be In line with their repre-
| sentatives to cheer HIN when he takes
the oath of office.
This feeling Is due In no small degree
to the efforts OF Gen John M. wilson.
chairman of the executive committee, VINO
h In constant communication with Lead
ing southerners and is hoping for good
rs presentation from that section
II know the south we'll, said General
Wilson tonight, land the great Thought
before me In this work of preparing for
the inaugural Is that the flag or ev-
ery state of the union be suspended from
the center of the ball room with the
stars and stripes Of the whole country
over all. I am gratified that the older
men OF the south are taking a great in
terest in the coming inaugural. and II Is
a source of great pride to me tnat the
Younger generation is lending willing
hand Mr. Roosevelt will be inaugurated
MT the commemorative of a section but