The Washington herald., 1913-03-22
Cabinet HEADS
NOT TO OPPOSE
..CUNO RUDOLPH
Burleson and Red6eld Strong
Personal Friends of Dis
trict Commissioner.
POLITICS ARE INCIDENTAL
President Not Considering the Appoint
ments During the Present
Recess.
n, JOSEPH r. AMIN.

In selecting the next Board of Com
missioners for the District. President
Wilson will consider little the political
affiliations of the candidates. The Presi-
dent has not given any concentrated at
tentiOn to the question of District ap-
pointments Yet. but this policy is
known to men close to the President.
This does not mean that political con-
siderations will he entirely swept aside,
but that Mr.. Wilson in selecting his ap-
pointess will be guided first by their fit-
ness. and that their politics will be Sec
ondary in consideration.
Ii does mean that Commissioner Ru-
dolph's politics will not initiate against
his chances for preferment. II was err
roneousy reported several days ago that
Engineer Commissioner Harding was
Republican. and under this misappre-
hension member OF Congress called at
the White House to urge that two Demo-
Gratis be appointed to the civilian posi-
tions on the board. The fact is that
Col. Harding is sprung from Democratic
stock and. as he is said to have eN-
pressed it. Would be disowned by his
entire family if he was anything but
Democrat" However, as the colonel
has never been engaged in politics. these
affiliations are of minor Importance.
Another erroneous statement which. il
unrefuted. might initiate against Com
missioner Rudolph's chances. was to the
effect that Secretary of Commerce Red
field and Postmaster General Burleson
both would oppose Mr.. Rudolph's candi-
dacy vigorously. II can be stated with
out qualification that nothing is further
from the intention of these two Cabinet
officers than to oppose Mr.. Rudolph. for
whom both have the highest personal re-
gard.
Both of these officers. whose advice II
is expected the President will seek in
making the appointments. have declared
to friends that they look upon Mr.. Ru-
dolph as an exceptionally capable public
official on the record of whose admins
traton not the slightest stain can be
found. who is in exceptionally close touch
with all the interests In the city. and who
has administered the affairs of his Office
inteliGently. fearlessly, and with care
full regard for the rights of all.
Neither Secretary Redfield nor Post
master General Burleson has stated, as
far as can be ascertained. that they will
urge the candidacy of Mr.. Rudolph upon
Mr.. Wilson. In fact, neither Of them has
any desire to make any unlimited recon-
mendations on the subject. But 1t is posi-
lively known that neither of them is sup
porting any other candidate.
In the uncertainty which exists over
the appointments. with a large field of
candidates and the support of different
influences divided correspondingly. much
stress is placed upon the attitude of the
two members of the Cabinet. who are
known to be possessed Of a comprehensive
understanding of the qualifications neces-
sary for wise selection. 1t is taken for
granted that Mr.. Wilson will seek the ad.
vice OF at least these two members of his
Cabinet, both of whom are able to in
form him as to the needs of the District
and as to the record of Commissioner
Rudolphs administration. And the Presi-
dents past record in regard to appoint
mcnts shows that once he has the facts
and from what he considers a reliable
source. he reaches his own conclusions,
and that quickly.
One Democrat Probably.
While admittedly there is nothing def
rite or official upon which to base such
a prediction. there seems to be growing
belief that Mr.. Rudolph will be one of
the appointees and that the other will he
Democrat. A number of Democrats
have been prominently mentioned. In
view of the uncertainty. the Presidents
Cabinet appointments are looked upon
as Illuminating by many. In this con-
nection it is pointed out that several.
who, after the election, were looked upon
as obvious selections were brought into
the Cabinet; in fact. the only man who
was generally picked as a certainty was
offered and declined Cabinet berth
while for the remaining places Mr.. Will
son selected men whose only qualifca
tions were exceptional fitness for their
positions. In the rrst class may be found
Secretary Bryan, Postmaster General
;,l-
tary Wilson. and, possibly. Secretary Nc
Adoo. A majority of the early Cabinet
states contained these names.
This review of the Cabinet may be va
riously applied to the Commissionership
situation, but Commissioner Rudolph's
friends find cause for encouragement
in it