The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-14
WILL CUMMINS
ENTER CABINET?
Iowa Republicans Will Not Be
Surprised if Shaw Goes Out
and Cummins In.
Special to The Journal.

special 70 Inc JOurNals
Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 14.-Interest
the rumor that Governor Albert B.
Cummins is to enter President Roose-
welt s cabinet as attorney general.
The governor will not discuss the ru-
NOR, but politicians are already talk
ing about the effect such a selection
by the president would have upon
politics in Iowa. The current rumors
the governor had with the president
when last in Washington. In this in
terview the president is said to have
conf1ded to the governor his plans for
dealing with railways and the trusts.
Inasmuch as it is confidently believed
here that the president will soon accept
the resignation Of either Secretary Shaw
is attached to the interview between the
president and the governor and the ap
preaching visit of Governor Cummins
to the White House is being watched
with intense interest.
From what has dropped from
secret political councils and finally
leaked out in Iowa, politicians believe
the real significance Of his conference
with President Roosevelt; that the dis
cussion Of the president plans after
his election "on his own hook' fol-
lowed an understanding that Governor
Cummins would be the choice of the
president as the man to carry out the
plans.
Second Interview Pending.
Governor Cummins will be in Wash
ington this week ostensibly to press
Iowa's war claims. 1t is regarded here
as highly improbable that the governor
will 20 to Washington to take up such
q matter Immediately following the
election when affairs at the national
capital are necessarily more or less
chaotic. 1t is because Iowa politicians
believe that the governor Is going to
have a personal and possibly a very
| important talk with the chief execu-
tive that the trip is exciting so much
| interest.
Secretary Shaw is admittedly can
didate for the presidency and his res1g-
nation would not excite surprise here.
On the contrary, it is expected. Other
agricul tural states, notably Kansas, are
clamoring for representation in the
cabinet, and it is regarded as highly
agriculture, James Wilson, having had
heaped upon him many honors, is per-
fectly willing to retire. Even if the
president should elect that Mr.. Wilson
remains the selection Of Governor Gum
Minis is by no means breaking Of
prec edent,. as Iowa has had two mem
bers Of the cabinet for two years.
What It Means in Iowa.
The selection of Governor Cummins
as attorney general would have a far.
reaching effect upon Iowa politics. II
would mean his elimination from the
next senatorial fight, and the beginning
Of the fight for the gubernatorial sue
cession. In the event Of Governor
Cummins' retirement from office in
Iowa, Lieutenant Governor John Her
riott of Stuart would become governor
| The adoption Of the biennial election
law by the people this fall continues
state officers in office an additional
year, and Mr.. Herriott would have two
years to entrench himself before thu
next state convention. He is a candi
date, whether he succeeds to the Office
before the present term expires or not
Admittedly his elevation to the offic,
of governor now would give him grea
prestige.
Altho jealous Of the governors sue
cesses there is an element in Iowa tina
would like to see him enter the cabine
because it desires that he be eliminate,
from state politics. Congressman HUI
wants to be governor Of Iowa.
If Cummins goes to the cabinet, Eu]
might more easily control things a
home, and foster his cherished ambi
ton.