The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-16

months.
A precisely similar case is that of
Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the
Navy. No member Of the Cabinet,
since Mr.. Bryan retired, has been SO
singled out for abuse criticism, and
ridicule as has Mr. Daniels. Really
one of the most efficient Secretaries
of the Navy, it is said, by contrast
with his Republican predecessors, he
has yet been, perhaps, the most cr1t1-
clsed head of the navy in two genera
tons. No one of Mr.. wilson's Ad-
ministration, it is claimed, has been
more fruitful Of ideas, no one has
labored more assiduously to gain
comprehension of involved problems,
no one has stood more faithfully by
what he deemed the right, in spite OF
unchecked abuse.
The upshot Of all this, it is said at
Washington, is that the public may
rest assured that, SO long as Mr..
Daniels Is subject to such attack 80
long will he hold Office. The Secre-
tary of the Navy has supported his
chief with unse1fish devotion, and Mr..
Wilson feels here, also, the obligation
to support a man whose portion OF
bitterness in no small degree has
been intended for the man who stands
behind him-the President. It can
not be over-emphasized that, while
Mr.. Daniels is one of the Cabinet Of
ficers generally considered to be slat-
ed for retirement, his resignation,
should it come, would be voluntary.
and would not be FASTENED by pres
sure.
These May Drop Out.
To sum up, these are the members
Of the Cabinet who would drop out.
if the present outlook were confirm
ed: Newton D. Baker, Secretary of
War; Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF
the Navy; William G. McAdoo, Secre-
Gregory, Attorney General; William
G. Redfeld. Secretary Of Commerce.
The members who are expected to
remain are: Robert Lansing. Secre-
tary Of State; Albert S. Burleson,
Postmaster-General; Franklin K
Lane. Secretary Of the Interior;
David F. Houston, Secretary of Com
merce: William B. Wilson, Secretary
of Labor.
It might be added that it is possible
both Secretary Lane and Secretary
Houston may also quit the Cabinet.
They are among the Cabinet officers
who feel most heavily the pinch Of
living in Washington, but their good
work and accomplishments have been
so valuable that it is understood Mr..
Wilson will use all the influence in his
power to retain them as long as he
can.
Mr.. McAdoo, too, is one Of those
who feel that it is necessary to acquire
a competence. He has been anxious
for some months to resign and either
take up the practice Of law in New
York or else associate himself with
some financial house. There was a
time several years ago when many
people believed the indications were
that Mr.. McAdoo might be selected to
succeed Mr.. Wilson, when the Presi-
dent was no longer available as a
Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency. 1t has even been rumored in
the last few days again that, should
he resign at this time the Secretary
Of the Treasury might be actuated, by
desire to put himself in line for the
nomination in 1920. But those per-
sons in a position to know the facts of
the situation are convinced that this
will hardly come to pass.
z Mr.. Gregory is in exactly the same
situation as Mr.. McAdoo. He has
been wholly satisfactory to the Pres
ident, and his handling of the weighty
affairs Of the Department Of Justice
is regarded at Washington as having
been unusually efficient. A hard and
untiring worker he has nevertheless
kept away from the spotlight of pub
licity. It is said by Democratic lead
ers that his work has been as good as
any accomplished in Washington in
the past four years, and Mr.. Wilson
Is none the less appreciative Of this
because his Acknowledgement has not
sought to play for popular favor. But
Mr.. Gregory is anxious. it is said, to
return to the practice Of law. Before
appointment he was an attorney in
Austin, Tex, with a high standing at
the bar.
OF Secretary Redf1eld 1t can be said
that his name, when mentioned, fails
to find favor such as is accorded to
the four officers whose names are
bracketed with his for probable re-
tirement. But his resignation, like
the others, If it comes, will come with
out undue pressure.
So much for those who may pass
from the Cabinet. Talk of their sue
cessors at this early date is futile.
There is one man only who could
speak ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS President
and it is hardly likely that in the
tumult of the campaign and the I'M
certainty of the days which have fol-
lowed it, he has been able to make
such important decisions. It is GER