New-York tribune., 1917-08-02
Cabinet Row
Threatened Over
Pensions Plan
McAdoo and Red6eld Both
Want Supervision of
Department
lFrvm fhe Tribune BuresuI

lFrcm me rrbuns Burssui
Washington, Aug. Differences be-
tween Secretaries McAdoo and Redheld
have reached the point where they bid
fair to develop into o storm centre not
unlike that in which General Goethals
and Former Chairman Denman of the
Shipping Board were involved. This
"clash of personalities" however, COM
ing as it does within the official family,
cannot be conveniently adjusted by
wholesale decapitations. In conse-
quence, the outcome is now the subject
of liveliest speculation among members
Of the official circle.
From the beginning of the war, and
even before, there has been friction be-
tween the Treasury Department and
the Department of Commerce, which
eliminated recently over the plan to
provide insurance for the soldiers and
sailors. Both departments wanted con.
troll of this plan, and as things now
stand McAdoo has won. Carried into
effect, this insurance plan, intended to
take the place of the old system Of pen
sions, will have great political potsnti-
alites. McAdoo's friends are grooming
him for the Democratic Presidential
nomination in 1920, and a Presidential
candidate could not wish for better
political asset than the disposition OF
millions Of dollars of insurance and In
IDENTITIES for disability to soldiers and
their families.
Sweet Worked Out Plan
Edwin +. Sweet, Assistant Secretary
of Commerce. Is credited with being
the first man to work out . soldiers in
surance plan. He went at it at the in
stance Of the Council Of National De-
fence and made a report. Later the
Pres SidenS at the suggestion OF inter
ested citizens, passed the subject over
TO Secretary McAdoo. A plan was
worked out. Now the Department Of
Commerce declares the Treasury De-
partment has appropriated Mr.. Sweets
ideas, worked them over and has taken
rot only the credit that is due the Com
merce Department, but also the juris-
detion of this subject. for which they
had hoped.
Secretary Rodheld and Assistant See
retary Sweet feel very keenly their dis
appointment, and, while they will not
be interviewed on the subject, their ex-
pressions to friends in private conver-
sations are such as to show the tense
feeling that exists. In a bulletin just
issued by the Treasury on soldiers In
suranee credit is given to Mr.. Sweet.
along with others, for assisting In
working out the plan. Aside from this
brief testimonial, the Treasury gobbles
all the glory.
When Congress had before 10 the leg
islation giving the power 20 the Presi-
dent to control exports Secretary Me-
Adoo endeavored TO have IL so framed
that all licenses should be issued
through the Treasury'Department This
was fought by the Departmental Com
merce, for II meant practically the
transferring of the entire bureau OF
navigation from the Department Of
| Commerce to the Treasury Department.
As a consequence, the law was so
framed that it specifically states that
the licensing shall be done by the De-
partment Of Commerce.
Redfeld Wrote Letter
When Secretary Redfeld learned that
an effort was being made 10 take away
the licensing privilege from him IL Is
understood that he asked that the
President use his influence TO prevent
this. The President did not do this,
but is understood to have authorized
Mr.. Redheld himself TO write TO Con,
gress on the matter. Senator Ransdell
Of Louisiana, now has in his possession
letter from Secretary Redfeld show
ing his reasons for wanting TO keep the
Bureau Of Navigation, and will place
this letter In the record at the first OPP
pCrtunity.
There are other matters which enter
into the controversy. Secretary Red
field thought the Shipping Board should
have been placed under the Jurisdiction
of his department but Mr.. McAdoo pre-
vented this. Then there has been
trouble over the Bureau Of Navigation,
the customs agents working under the
direction of both departments at times.
The two men are opposltes In their
personalities. Mr.. McAdoo Is keen.
shrewd, always alert and no doubt am.
bilious. Mr. Redfeld ia Of the type Of
successful business man who wants TO
run his department with the same de-
gree Of unquestioned authority that ne
would have in his private business.
Both have fund of determination, so
that struggle between them would be
little short of political death grapple.
Officials Of the Commerce Depart.
ment make no secret of their suspicion
that Secretary McAdoo is trying 10
grab things that belong to the Com.
merce Department with political ends
in view. Mr.. AcAdoo himself will say
nothing. about political ambitions and
cannot be induced to speak of the fut.
ure. But his large gallery of admirers
never let an opportunity slip to keen
his name before the public.