Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-10
Wonder at Delay.

The chief topic of discussion In local
circles in Washington today
was not who is to be chairman OF the in
augural committee" but "why does not
Mr. McCombs, the national chairman
announce the appointment. Tnat MI.
McCombs had made up his mind 10 ap-
point Eldridge E. Jordan chairman before
he came to Washington last Saturday
was admitted on all sides. even by Mr..
Jordan'S opponents.
1t was suggested that Mr.. McCombs was
waiting to hear from Gov. Woodrow VIII
SON himself in regard to the appoln.hieMar' Mr
before making. the announcement Mr'
McCombs, it is known, feels that the IN
augural ceremonies and all their arrange
ments should have the approval OF GOV
Wilson, since they touch the Presioent-to-
be so closely. For that reason, 1t was
suggested, Mr. McCombs was delaying
until he should get word from Bermuda,
and would then appoint Jordan.
On the other hand, it was declared tnat
Mr.. McCombs' determination TO appoint
visit to Washington. and that was the
reason Of the delay in the announcement.
Friends Still Confident.
Mr.. Jordan's friends. however, are still
confident that he is to be the selection
for chairman notwithstanding rumor
that Mr.. McCombs had sent word to MIR.
Jordan Yesterday that. II he would step
ont Of the. race Mr.. Jordan could nave
the honor of naming the chairman MN.
self. 1t was reported that Mr.. Jordan
had replied he would step out put
that he did not wish to name the chair.
man. He added that he would work hard
for any man whom Mr.. McCombs Sc
lected.
II is believed here that a mistake is
being made by delaying the appointment; S aaa;ss;
the various candidates LIS becoming
stronger, with less chance for harmony
after the appointment is made, ana also
because there is a great deal OF work 70
be done by the inaugural committee anu
a large amount of money to- be raised be-
fore March 4, and the time Is growing
short.
! The friends of both Robert n. Harper
and w. v. Cox are vOicing a hope that
their candidates are to be selected for
chairman Still other democrats are con-
fident that a compromise candidate Will
be selected.
The race for secretary of the inaugural
committee is likely to bring out as many
candidates. il not more. than has the
race for the Craftsmanship. In addition
to w. W. Wick Of New York, who was
secretary of the democratic national COM
mittee, J. Fred Kelley, ]. w. Childress
and John Boyle already are In the field.
Candidate for Secretary.
Mr.. Boyle is a local democrat and
newspape6 man. His name was present.
ed two weeks ago to Chairman Nc
Combs for the position OF secretary to
the inaugural committee by newspaper
friends in Washington.
1t Is understood that Mr.. Boyle occu-
pies a passive position In the matter ana
will not enter any scramble for the ONCE
He has been in active local politics Tor
thirty years. and is personally known to
nearly every prominent demOcratic lead
er in national politics.
Mr.. Boyle was for twenty years men,
ber of the democratic central committee
of the District of Columbia and dele
gate from the District in 1896 to the Chi
cago democratic convention.
Cabinet Speculation.
Cabinet speculation followed Mr.. Nc
Combs about the capital yesterday. but
the democratic chairman asserted before
he left Washington last night that his
visit to Washington had not been to
cabinet appointments or prospective leg
islation in the next Congress.
In the dozen or more INFORMAL con-
ferences Mr.. McCombs has had, how
ever, it is understood that both SUBJ
1ects have been touched upon, and that
dent-to-be Wilson, when he reaches New
L ork from Bermuda, store OF valu-
able information as to the opinions OF
democratic leaders.
The conference with Speaker Clark
and Oscar w. Underwood. the demo-
the Speakers Offices. The three men
were together for a half hour, the in
auRuraA committee selections being un-
der consideration most of the time.