Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-12-24
WILSON MADE REFEREE
IN SOCIETY WAR
PRESIDENT Is CALLED UPON To
DECIDE WHICH Is MORE PROM.
NENT, A MEMBER OF CABINET
OR A SENATOR

content the question as to whether
members OF the cabinet are to take
over the members of the
United States senate, has been carried
to President Wilson, who may
feel it incumbent upon him to make
an early decision. Upon the word of
the president will depend the settle
ment Of the dispute as to whether sen,
ators should precede cabinet members
al social and official functions or vice
versa Social and official Washington
learning last night that the question
had. been laid before the president,
gasped a little, and then settled down
to await the verdict.
Experts Of the state department, it
was said, had come to the conclusion
that members of the cabinet outrankel
the members of the senate with respect
to social and official precedence. 1t was
asserted by those who protested to
know what has been going on, that e
laying the matter before the president
the state department strongly recon-
mended that Mr.. Wilson decide in favor
of the cabinet officers.
Law Of Succession Pointed Out.
It is understood that it was pointed
out to the president that congress itself
provided that in case of death or disa-
hility on the part of the chief executive
he should be succeeded by the vice
president, but in case of the death or
disability of the vice president, the
secretary of state, then the secretary
Of the treasury, and so on down the
line to the secretary of agriculture.
The low governing presidential sue
cession, the state department experts
contend, gives precedence to cabinet
officers over members Of the senate,
and this is the only index to what was
intended from a social as we'll as Off
cial standpoint ri
Secretary Bryan, when asked
whether he had made any report on
the matter, said last night that he had
not, and denied that any action was
contemplated 1t is generally under
stood, however, that the matter has
been brought directly to the attention
of the president
Cabinet Members Remain Silent
None of the members Of the cabinet
cared to discuss the matter. 1t was
admitted informally, however, that the
controversy had become extremely en-
especially with reference -
forthcoming official receptions at the
white house, and with reference to
seating arrangements at dinners.
Wives of the cabinet officers AMI
members Of congress are taking live
ly interest in the outcome of the con-
troversy, since any decision by the
president is apt to have bearing on
the question whether the wives of tho
cabinet members shall initiate calls on
The wives of senators and return the
calls of the wives of members of con-
gress.
Quotes Senator BacOn's Views.
In a recent interview, Senator Bacon,
Of Georgia, set forth the attitude OF
senator's which they doubtless will in
sist on maintaining. When asked
what is the relative rank of senator's,
he said
There should be no difficulty in an
swering that question by any one who
recalls the fundamental and controlling
fact that the constitution of the United
States creates no offices except those
Of the presidency and vice presidency,
the supreme court and the congress,
of the senate and the house
Of representatives
"All other Offices of the United States
excepting only those above mentioned,
have been created by act of congress.
III officers of the United States, except
ng only the president and vice presi-
lent, and the judges of the supreme