Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-27
IGNORED PARTY LEADERS cRITI-
cIsE QUEER CHOICES FOR
HIGH PLACES.
WILSON'S CABINET HELD. :.
TO BE DEPLoRARLY WEAK
Republican Senators Hesitate to Con-
firm Many Appointees Whom They
Know to 81 Weak and Incompetent
Reserve Bank Board Called Weak
presidents Points Joke at HimseIf.

course with the senate in the care of
patronage. In the early months of
this administration the president was
in the habit Of going up to the presi-
dents room in the capitol, sending for
senators irrespective of party and con-
sulting with them about appointments
in their states. Then he ceased to
visit the senate, but sent notes to
senators. Then the notes quit COM
ing and instead were telephone in
quiries from the presidents secretary.
Finally even these died out and the
president .sprang names on senators
just when and how he pleased.
The result of this has been some
unfortunate appointments. Republican
senators have seen men named to
office who had attacked them in their
own states even to the extent of i'm
pusnng their personal honesty. They
have not felt like confirming these ap-
pointments. but sometimes have not
fought them and they have gone thru.
But when democratic senators began
to get the anne kind Of a gaf there
was organized in the senate a move
ment to reduce the executive to order
by throwing ont some of his appoint
ments.
Cabinet Members Criticised.
Thus George Ruhlee went over
Niagara with a democratic push. altho
Senator J.. H. Gallinger started him.
So Brandeis may go. Another element
in the dissa tisfaction OF the dem ocratic
senators is the overbearing attitude OF
one cabinet member, POStma Cen
eral A. S. Burleson. and the pitiable
political inc competency of another. Sec
rotary W. c. Redfleld, who presides
where the department Of commerce
ought to be.
"BurIeson" said a democratic sena-
tor from the middle west today, has
ruined me politically by his trimming OF
the rural delivery service. He has not
saved any money, but he has saved the
state to the republicans"
Senator'S Enemies Preferred.
Another. rema rked that the presi-
dent has been very happy in the selec-
ton OF men who had written editorials
denouncing certain senators as cor
rupt, He named them from states
where he had made speeches and
which speeches they had approved.
Thus politically the democrats find
that lob hunting and job giving does
not strengthen the organization unless
it Is cleverly, very cleverly handled.
Nobody who has seen the procession OF
unknowns como to Washington to
work the Wilson brand of admins
tra:ion calls the handling clever.
President Wilson has named so many
that the diplomatic service
is handicapped everywhere except IN
a few spots He has named two can
didates for the supreme court. one OF
whom is openly condemned by at least
half Of the senate as UNIT for that
high office He has named two men
on the interstate commerce commits
sion. One, w VI. Daniels. from his
own state. and Henry c. Hall from
Colorado were not, satisfactory and
did not measure up to aspirations or
congress for the building up OF this
department.
Bank Board Called Weak.
The president was rather unhappy
in his attempts to give the country a
federal bank board. One Of his nomi-
nees the celebrated Jones Of Inter-
national Harvester fame. was so close
to turn down that he withdrew.
OF the others little was known be-
forehand and little has been heard
since. The board is not regarded as
a strong and commanding body as
now organized.
The fed trade commission gave
the president another chance to go
right and ne went wrong. Joseph E.
Davies was hand-picked. OF course. for
chairman, and Davies is only we1ter-
weight There are none OF the heavy
weight class on the commission.
joke Turned on Himself.
Leading nominees of the president
have been 50 weak that It is quite sup
possible the president, when he told the
National Press Club that he watched
his appointees to see whether they
grew or Just swelled, was ironically
poin ting the joke at himself.
Among the swellings he has con-
ferred' on the country 1t Is only neces-
sary to mention Redfield and Burleson,
in the cabinet, George T. Marye and
William e.. Sharp, ambassadors to
Russia and France respectively. In the
diplomatic corps: John Shelton Will
liams In the comptroller's office, and
Daviesl ana Daniels Of the commits
sions. One might extend the list, but
what's the user The president soon
will extend It himself. ~. .%
q. ~