The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-09-10
B. R. NEWTON
IN LIMEL|GHT
TO SUCCEED
D. F. MALONE
By BILL PRICE.

Byron R. Newton, Assistant Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury, will be seri-
ously considered by President VIII
son and Secretary McAdoo for col
lector Of the port Of New York to
I'LL the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation Of Dudley Field Malone, long
time close personal friend Of Presi-
dent Wilson, who Is going to devote
bis time to aiding the cause Of the
brilliant suffragists.
Looking Forward to 1920.
The filling Of this position is al
most sure to provoke political discus
sion that may spread far beyond the
borders Of New York State, and be-
come OF unusual interest In this city,
where, despite the concentration of
thought upon the war with Germany.
there IL constantly going on q current
Of speculation in and out OF Con-
Ersss a. 70 the Democratic and. Re
publican Presidential nominations in
1920.
The WiBsacreE OF politics unfailing-
" comment upon what they deem to
be the plays" Of men in public life
around the Presidential lightning
rods Of 1920, and hints that all this
ts mighty remote do not discourage
them IN the least.
Significant Appointment.
The colleetorshIp of New York has
always been looked upon a. having
great political Significance. In the
good old days when the civil service
had not taken the "pickInEs" away
from the politicians the coIIectorshIp
was almost as important as the
mayoralty OF New York. Much of the
patronage connected with the office
no longer exists, however, and the
Importance attached TO the position
now IL largely In the recognition the
appointment carries for one or anoth-
er faction In New York. the relation
ship the appointee bears to men high
m STATE, city or national politics, and
the policies he may adopt to strength
en- his party with business and finan-
eial elements he comes in close con-
tact with.
President Wilson uniformly looks
70 his Cabinet officers to recommend
TO him suitable men for nlling vacan-
eise- The collectorship comes under
Secretary MeAdoo, himself a New
York man, and familiar with the po-
AticRl trend IN that State. In the
case OF Dudley Field Malone the
choice was a personal one with the
President, and Wilson may again ig-
more the desires OF the ambitious poll
uctans and name q man allied more
closely with business than with poll
tics-
Newton Former Newspaper Man.
Mr.. Newton a New York news
paper man when be became private
secretary TO Mr.. McAdoo in 1912 In
his more than four years In the Treas
ury he has not paid much attention
10 politics, and has run his office
along the lines of solicitude for the
interests OF Uncle Sam. He has had
clash after clash with rural Congress-
men seeking to have big Federal
buildings erected at crossroads
towns where the Federal Government
had little business. He has insisted
that Federal buildings should be erect
ed only where needed by the Govern
Haent, and not as "plums" to keep Con-
gressmen in office. He has shown
marked administrative and SuaIneEs
ebilities. and has the confidence of
Secretary McAdoo.
The indications today are that the
eOIIectoEship will not be filled for a
long time, pcssibly not until after the
mayorAlty election IN New YORK, end
ths President may let the appoint
ment hang until Congress meets
again in DsGsmber. Even then Re
will be unusually careful in the selec-
ton he will make.
Cabinet Men IN SIiGhtninE- Zone.
At least four members OF President
Wilson's Cabinet are frequent sub
5ects OF discussion as to the 1920
nomination by the Democratic party,
although the slightest mention OF IL
IL irritating and repulsive to them.
They seek to abate the remarks Of
friends or critics. Their pleas and
threats are without avail. Their
whole thought, according to their
closest friends, IL constantly given TO
the vast work piled in front OF them,
burdens made extra heavy by the
pressure Of the war.
However unfair to them all this DO
1itieal talk may be IL goes on inside
and outside OF Washington. From the
far West, from East, North and South
a. a. ~ ~