Evening star., 1913-03-05
Only the Higher Positions at Presi-
dent Wilson's Disposal.
SOME RATED INDISPENSABLE
Mooted Question Regarding Offices
Open to General appointment in
State Department.

There will be few changes in the purely
civil forces at the State. War and Navy
departments in consequence of the
change in administration. The vast ma
jority of the offices are within the pro-
lection of the civil service law, and the
exceptions. where appointments may be
made without examination. are very few
More changes are likely in the State
Department than are possible in the
purely military departments. The num-
Der of offices open to general appoint
ment in the State Department, however.
is mooted question. Those Offices with
respect to which there is no reasonable
doubt are those of the Secretary, the as
sistant secretary, the second assistant
secretary, the third assistant secretary,
the counselor. the solicitor three assist
ant solicitors, the private secretary to
the Secretary, the private secretaries to
the three assistant secretaries and the
clerk to the Secretary.
Possible Exceptions.
Other offices which some authorities
contend are excepted from the civil serv-
ice shield are those of director of the
consular service, two foreign trade ad-
visers and some minor offices.
1t is confidently predicted that no
change will be made in several of the Of
fees mentioned. notably that of second
assistant SECRETARY. held by Mr.. Adee,
ana that Of director of the consular serv-
ice. held by Mr. Carr. two of the old
standbys of the department, whose serv-
ices generally are regarded as indispen-
sable to good administration.
War and Navy Force.
In the War Department the only Of
fices where changes are likely to be
made are those of the Secretary, the as
sistant secretary, the law officer of the
insuiar bureau, the private secretary and
confidential clerk to the Secretary the
private secretary to the assistant secre-
tary, and possibly two drivers for the
Secretary, and a few offices connected
with various military parks. These lat
ter, however, are subject to so many
qualifications, such as participation in
the civil war. that they are almost negl-
gible as political patronage.
The only offices in the Navy Depart
ment open to general appointment are
those of the Secretary. the assistant sec
retary, the solicitor of the department,
the private secretaries OF the Secretary
and assistant secretary, and the conf
Dental clerk of the Secretary.
Department of Agriculture.
In the Department of Agriculture there
are less chances for change than in most
Of the other departments. The Secretary
Of Agriculture changes with the admin
istration and there is the same chance as
in the other departments that the as
sistant secretary may be changed also,
though this is not regarded as particu-
larly likely. Solicitor McCabe Of the de-
partment has already resigned, and it
will be necessary to fill his place. but so
far as known no selection has been made.
In the Department Of Justice 1t would.
of course. be possible to change all the
assistant attorneys general, but all of
them have special lines of work and in
dividual cases in court with which they
are familiar, so it is not considered to
be likely that any changes. if they are
made. will be made for some time to
come.
Secretaries and Assistants.
In the Post Office Department, besides
the Postmaster General, who is neces
sarily a member of the new cabinet
there are four assistant postmasters
general, all Of whom are presidential ap-
pointments. and, as such, are liable to
change. There is also the purchasing
agent of the department, responsible
post. owing to the mass of material sup
plies he is required to handle for the
big department. Most of the bureau
chiefs are also presidential appointees
In the Treasury there are, besides the
Secretary, three assistant secretaries and
many of the bureau and division chiefs.
These comparatively minor posts all re-
ouire technical familiarity with the work.
and are likely to be filled slowly, If at
all. There is also the register of the
Treasury and his assistant, the treasurer
of the United States and his assistants,
the controller of the currency and six
assistants. besides the director of the
mint and his assistant, subject to change.
Experience a Qualification.
In the Department of Commerce, the
Secretary. the assistant secretary and
the bureau chiefs of the department are
the only officials at the disposal Of the
new administration. In all cases, how
ever, the bureau and the division chiefs
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