The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-19
Washington Hears Bryan and Alabamian Will Be
 Offered Places
VARYING OPINIONS
 AMONG DEMOCRATS
Washington Star Points to Carlisle as Example of Distinguishing Con- gressman by Putting Him
 in the Cabinet
By (. E. STEWART

By (. F. STEWART
 Washington, December 1s-especial)-4 The Washington Post this morning says: Democratic leaders from all over the country are endeavoring 10 pursuade President-eleet Wilson to make his cabi- net representative of all of the different elements of the party.
 Ut can be stated on high authority that not only is William J. Bryan practically certain to be member of the next cab met. but that Atr. Bryan himself is doing his best to bring about the appointment of his one time political foe. Representa- tive Oscar N. Underwood of Alabama, to a cabinet portfolio.
 Perfect an Organization "rhe purpose of MT. Wilson and tho party leaders who are closest to him is not only to perfect an organization that will safely weather the storm of tariff revision during the next eight months. but which will be a solid, smoothly working political machine that can get more than half of the popular vote in the next presidential | election.
 "rhe democratic leaders in Congress are not trying to fool themselves about tho election last November. Only Monday night. in speech at the Raleigh hotel. Representative \. Mitchell Palmer, dem- ccratic national committeeman for Penn syvanla, and one of the Wilson pre-con- vention managers, said that the demo- erats should not forget that Mr. Wilson will be a minority President.
 Palmer and Underwood Speak
 "'Wo will probably have to fight only one party four years from now said NIT. Palmer, and we will find it harder to win. We cid not win the presidency last No- vember. The republicans threw 1t away and we picked 1t up.'
 Representative Underwood on the same occasion said: The fate of the demo- , cratic party will be decided during tte next six niotifhs.
 Word came to Washington yesterday that Mr. Bryan, who Is now on his way to New York from Florida, to have Il conference with the President-elect, hold a conference with Alabama friends of MT. Underwood at Jacksonville before leav- ing, and that the subject under discts- sion was the appointment of Mir. Undel- wood as a member of the cabinet.
 "It is understood that Mir Bryan has been, or will be, offered the place of Sec retary of state and that he wants Ms. Underwood 10 be Secretary of the Treas ury.
 Although AIr Underwood continues to be reticent about his acceptance of a cab- met cffice. his friends know that he wonid be pleased if the offer should be made 5y Mr. Wilson and that he would doubtless accept.
 Cabinet Slate Suggested
 "The cabinet slate. which has thus Tar been made up by Washington democrats who have been studying the situation carefully, is this:
 | "Secretary of State, William J. Bryan; Secretary of the Treasury. Oscar w. Un- derwcod Postmaster General. Josephus Daniels of North Carolina. Secretary of the Interior, Gov. John Burke of North Dakota, or Gov. George Norris of Mon tana Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. liar vey L. Wiley.
 l "Nu suggestion has been made yet con corning the navy war and eomrferce and l labor portfolios. Senator OGorman or l New York, William r. Mccombs and i William c. McAdoo are all in line for one of these.
 "The failure of A. Mitchell Palmer to carry the day in Pennsylvania Is thcugh' l by well informed democrats here to have ! removed him from consideration as cabi- net material."
 Difference of Opinion | There is a great difference of opinion | among the friends of Mr. Underwoo. i about the advisability of his accepting the | position Of Secretary of the Treasury iH case it is offered him. But it may at..pf belt that t would be for the best interear of the party and the country, if he re- mained in the House Many Of his 1 friends in Congress have frankly told 1 him for his own sake, and the sake of ths party he ought to continue as leader until the tariff Legislation is disposed Ui.
 Star Offers Some Advice The Washington Star this afternoon in all editorial voiced the sentiment or tns l democrats in Congress with few eN- ! captions. It said:
 "The treasury portfolio Is at all times | important, and in the Wilson admmis- | tratiou 1t will be especially important, but there are two reasons why Alr. l Underwood, competent as he Is for the assignment, should not consider a cnangs of base. His character as a man and official warrants putting them in this order: first. the public interests. and sec ond his personal interests. | Tt is not enough to say that he Is well placed where he now serves. He Is | the best qualified man in his party for leader of the House with tariff revision | the paramount issue. He Is accepted | by his party as orthodox Mir Bryan's | criticism of him made last year was far l fetched, and 1t fell flat. It grew of MT. | Underwood's refusal to take his cue from l Bryan. He insisted in leading the House in his own way. and even the Bryanites i in that body followed him. 1 "A transfer from Congress to cabinet has extinguished some very bright lights. | Let Mr. Underwood consider the casa of John G. Carlisle in particular As the Star said the other day the extinction of MT. Carlisle political quantity was the tragedy of the second Cleveland ad- ministration.
 For the House leadership in the com ing emergency Mir. Underwood stands without a peer in his party
 There Is little doubt here now but what Bryan will be in the cabinet, and thai | the Nebraskan will welcome Mr. ITnder- wood one of his associates in thai body, if the House leader decides to ac- cept the place. which every one nor believes is within his grasp.