Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-12
No Likelihood of His Being
Secretary Of the Treasury.
A PROHIBITORY LAW
PREVENTS ANY IMPORTER FROM
HAVING THAT OFFICE.
Senator Crane Was Offered Two Cabi-
net Positions, but Declined Them
The Postmaster Generalship.

Cabinet officers whot are pretty well
posted as to prospective cabinet changes
cannot see how it is possible for Henry
Clay Frick the millionaire steel magnate OF
Pittsburg, to become Secretary of the
Treasury when Seer Shaw steps down
and out next February to get ready TO
launch his presidential candidacy. Two
distinguished members of the cabinet today
agreed that Mr.. Frck was a great man,
big enough to become member of the cab
met if The law and the proprieties would
stand for the President asking him 20
come into the official family. They shook
their heads, however when their atten-
ton was called to the fact that Mr.. Frick
is slated for either Secretary of the Treas
ury or for Secretary of the Navy, and both
stated that they know positively that no
hint has been given to Mr.. Frick by the
President that he is wanted in the cabinet
They are confident that no such hint will
ever be given, so far as the two positions
mentioned are concerned.
A ProhibitoTy Law.
There is a law that prohibits any i'm
porter from becoming Secretary of the
Treasury. Any man at the head of
great business that imports materials and
pays customs. to the government could not
preside over the department that collects
llOSe cues. MI. tT.Sk grant CpICSl II uoSS
do this But that would probably not be
the strongest reason against Mr.. Frick be-
coming head of the government finances.
His concern sells armor plate and steel TO
the government for battle ships. Would 1t
be proper for a Secretary of the Treasury
to be interested in contracts of any kind
with the government end sign the war
rants drawn upon the treasury for the pay
ment of these contracts? Would a Secrc
tary of the Navy be kept in the cabinet If
he passed upon the bids of his own con-
cern for furnishing armor plate steel, etc?
But beyond this, it is quietly pointed out
by cabinet officers, Mr. Frick is directly
and Immediately identified with Wall street
and the most powerful interests there. No
man could be SECRETARY of the Treasury
who was closely identified with Wall
street or had been identified with it in such
way as to have lingering interests. There
are too many functions belonging to the
treasury portfolio that closely touch the
financial markets of the world for any
man to be in that position who could be
accused with any fairness of playing one
way or another. The salesof United States
bonds, the purchase of bonds, the making
or Withdrawing of deposits, fifty or a hun
dred things that come within the duties
of Secretary of the Treasury within
year or So are ali linked with the fortunes
of Wall street either closely or remotely
There is grave doubt whether a friendly
Senate would confirm a nomination of this
kind made to it by President who had
probably overlooked the arguments against
d SeiectloH VI the sort. IDc SeQale WOulu
be held responsible by the peopfe.
Offers to Senator Crane.
Senator Crane of Massachusetts. the sue
cessor in the Senate of the lamented Hoar,
was offered the treasury portfolio by Presi-
dent Roosevelt, who was not acquainted
with the fact that Mr. Crane was at the
time the owner of the plant that turns out
the distinctive paper from which the gov
ernment prints Its paper currency and bank
notes. Mr.. Crane makes a yearly contract
with the treasury for this paper. He knew
that he could not properly or wisely accept
the treasury. position under those circum-
stances. and when he told the facts 10
President Roosevelt the latter agreed with
him. Later on President Roosevelt offered
MT Crane the place of Secretary of the
Navy. Mr.. Crane again declined, believing
that his government contract was sufficient
to prohibit him from coming into the cabi-
net at all. He would be accused, he thought.
of using his influence to continue his busi-
ness <elations with the government. and
again his friends applauded his wisdom. In
the Senate he Is in a different branch OF
the government. and no serious accusation