The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-29
WILSON THE Chief
HIS JUDGMENT FINAL AFTER
HEARING THE OPINIONS OF
THE CABINET.
coUNsELs OFTEN WITH BRYAN
Or. Houston and Franklin X. Lane
inspire Confidence In Their Ability
to Conduct Their Departments
sanely and Successfully.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-There seems to be ev-
cry desire on the part of Republicans,
Progressives and Democrats to give
the new president the best of it when
ever there is any seeming reason for
doubt as to the wisdom OF his inten-
lions. One thing members of congress
are admitting today without any reser-
walton and that is that Mr.. Wilson Is
the "chief man In his cabinet" and
that while he seeks and accepts ad-
vice, his own judgment when formed
Is made to be final
There are some things which occur
at the presidents council table which
are not kept as solemn secrets. Mr..
Wilson seems to hit II of" with the
members OF his official family. They
say that he is modest with his opin-
Ions, that he listens readily and urges
speech in order that he may listen.
and then then, weighing the fors and
the againsts, he gives his own judg-
ment In a way which makes his table
companions know that 1t Is to stand.
1t has been rumored about Washing
ton for two or three days that Mr..
Bryan was going to take unto himself
authority In matters not within the
scope OF the state department. MI
Bryan's friends say these rumors are
libels, that he intends to advise when
his advice Is asked. and otherwise to
stick strictly to the duties of state. Mr..
Wilson il counselling with Mr.. Bryan
oftener than he is counselling indiyid-
ually with other members of his cab
met. but this everybody accepts as the
most natural thing possible. for the
president and the secretary have many
policies in common and 1t Is these
policies which the administration must
work out to their logical legislative
conclusion.
Houston Fits His Position.
II is not hard now for officials In
Washington to understand why IL was
that Mr. Wilson chose such a man as
DR.. Houston for his secretary Of agri-
culture, overlooking other men in pub
lie life, and who had the farmer
claim" to the position. Most things
today In the department of agriculture
are specialized. A man may have
been q farmer all his life. know all
about crops. stock and other things
rural. and yet find himself utterly lost
in the lanes of governmental activi-
ties In the department Of agriculture.
There were two or three men men,
toned fer the position and all Of
them were better known to the coun-
try generally than was the man who
finally was called. Every one of those
suggested as likely of choice was
known a. farmer. II is not likely.
the Democrats say, that any one Of
them could have taken up with thor
ough understanding the reports Of the
bureau Of plant industry, of the bio
logical survey, Of the forestry bureau.
the bureau Of soils. or the bureau of
chemistry and have read them under
standingly. and with knowledge
enough to make judicious comment
thereon and suggestions for improve
ment
Lane inspires Confidence.
The department Of the interior is
today q place Of specialization. Frank.
lin X. Lane. like some of the other
members of Mr.. Wilson's cabinet, IL
an idealist. but he has done enough
work, It IL said. to show that he
spends little time In dreaming. The
federal conservationists. inciudin,
even Clifford Pinchot, say that the,
have every confidence In Secretar,
Lane" The conservationists of thi,
school have looked into Mr. Lane.
work record and speech record. The,
know that he is q believer in tn,
states rights theory. but that h,
knows when condition rather thar
q theory confronts him. Not Ion,
ago heard Mr.. Lane make a speech
That speech never was reported an,
never will be. but 1t was the mos
sanely and yet actively progressiv,
speech that I have ever heard an,
man save one make.
VIII Delay Currency Reform.
There IL some doubt yet as I,
whether currency reform Legislation
VIII be attempted at the extra session
In addition to tariff enactments. /
currency IL taken up 1t may be
will not be finished this summer. bu
win 90 over until next winter.
The Democratic leaders are tellinf
the president they are afraid Of the
currency. The odds seem to be about
sixteen to one that It will not be tax
en- up before next December, but it Ii
OF course possible 1t may secure q
place. Representative Carter Glass Of
Virginia. who will succeed Mr.. Pujc
a. chairman of the banking and cur
rency commission. naturally desires |,
quick encounter with the currency
but 1t probably would not hurt hi.