Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-10
CABINET MAKERS
DISCUSS WILSON

Washington, Jan. 1O.-Sumner Cur
tbs says In a special dispatch to the
! Chicago Record Herald:
Which OF the two progressive cours-
es will the progressivism of President
| Woodrow Wilson take? That design
| ed TO place on th statute books such
measure Of reform as can be obtained
/ in the immediate future, or that which
repuidates compromise and makes
/ positive legislative action OF the mo-
ment secondary in importance to the
ultimate programme?
/ This is a question, not in the least
academic, but wholly of practical sig
nificance. which is attracting close at
tention now that the president-eleCt
is broadening the scope Of his confer
ences with democratic leaders at his
present place of residence. The an
swer 10 the question involves specific
ally the extent to which the Bryan in
fluence is to prevail in connection with
the policies of the next administration,
and upon it depends also the extent
of the help which President Wilson
may expect from the progressives who
have been fighting within the republi-
can ranks.
One course suggests the harmonic
ing Of the democratic party factions
and a certain measure of constructive
4 legislation during the fOur-year term
for which Mr.. Wilson already has been
elected; the other means a straight-out
fight within the party for the sake of
the more radical progressive princi-
pies and the layiDs-of the foundation
for a campaign four years hence. Mr.,
Bryan cannot avoid going into the
cabinet and doing what he can to
make the Wilson administration a sue
cess. For him not TO take place
with the administration would be to
open himself to the charge OF standing
outside for the purpose Of putting the
microscope on everything the demo-
cratic president may do
Several superficial observers have
expressed the opinion that Bryan
would prefer to maintain a critical in
stead OF an assisting position toward
the administration, always with the
object OF aiding his own personal am
bitiOns In the future That is not the
case at all. Mr.. Bryan realizes that
his work is to help make the admins
tration a progressive success and there
: is no doubt that he is expected and eX-
, poets to be in the cabinet for that pur-
r pose
"Mr. Wilson" Il was suggested,
must strive for harmony between the
factions II he expects practical results
in the form of legislation
Legislation be hanged" was the
rejoinder Legislation is not the
thing that will count. If it means com.
promising or anything Of that sort. All
, that President Wilson has to do to
gain the support Of the country is to
stand fast for the progressive ideas
7 that attract attention. II he does that
nothing can prevent his denomination
!, and reelection for a second term. He
can afford to wait for legislation. The
country will be with him. If he trims
and seeks temporary advantage. or the
doubtful advantage of such law as il
= is possible to enact he will be a fail
ure. AS to this there undoubtedly is
agreement between Mr.. Wilson and
Mr.. Bryan. and ii Is because OF II thai
Mr.. Bryan will become official assis
tant"
Progressiveness OF the kind indicat
cd is generally known to be that fol
4 which Bryan stands IN the democratic
party and for which LaFollette has
battled on the republican side. Presi
dent Taft has claimed and been giver
e credit for considerable constructive
i legislation, and his supporters have
II pointed to him as a man who actually
o did things with the material at hand
Y He has been criticised BY his oppo
nents for not sticking out to the lettel
for reforms promised regardless o
whether any sort Of Affirmative actor
:, was obtained. President Roosevelt
q also was subjected TO severe criticism
y despite his great programme OF accom-
$ plIshments. for dicl1ering and comprc
missing with the conservatives.
In the light OF the recent past it wn
be decidedly interesting to watch tn
course which President Wilson will in
augurate. The conferences which tt
\ lpresdent-slect IS holding this wee
with his party leaders In congress ar
b Of particular Importance with relatic1
TO the subject in question. The futur
of presidents real force and plan Of po
N icy. however, viii not be developed s.
s much in the messages he sends to cor
u gress at the beginning OF his term q
q by the less visible measures he take
s when matters reach the stage that n
of Quires some work behind TIE scene:
Although no Announcements nav