The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-24
N ADOO'S PLACE
MAY Be DIVIDED
Director-General of Railroads
Not Necessarily to Be
Secretary.
MUST YET FIX SALARY
John SHELTON Williams APP
pears to Be Favorite in a
Long List of Posi-
bilities.
MUST YET FIX SALARY

Washington, Nov. 2s--That the po-
stions of secretary of the treasury
and director general Of railroads are
10 be divided and nave separate heads
was very clearly Indicated in the res
ignation OF Secretary McAdoo in his
reference to my successor or success
ors but has reason for letting go OF
the treasureship as soon as his sue
cessor could be confirmed and for
holding 90 10 the director generalship
until January l or later was not so
apparent last night as IL has become
today.
The secretary of the treasury draws
a salary of $4,000 a year. The direc-
tor general of railroads draw no sal
airy. 1t would be comparatively easy
matter 10 find a man willing to ac-
cept "a $4,000 year position under
the government On the other hand
ii would be most difficult to find a
man competent to manage the con-
solidated railroads who would be will
ing to undertake he job for nothing
a year.
Therein lies the reason for Mt. Nc
Adoo inability to detach himself a.
speedily and as easily from the direc-
tor g-neralship as from the secretary
ship. 500. ssssssi. 81 i -
Must FHx salary
director gcneralship can be indicted
into office there must he some assur-
ance Of a salary to accom- pany the
honor.
There is good reason to believe that
moves to obtain this legislation is now
under way ard one OF these reasons
has TO do with the r-ril made today at
the, White Hsssses w Representative
sswager 'Sfferiey, OF Kentucky.
"A fExfxr "a
for recollection and the fact that he
has been called to see the president
Immediately gave rise TO a rumor that
he has been chosen to head the tre.ls-
ury department What is more likely
Is that Mr.. Sherley. as head of the
committee on appropriations has been
asked TO prepare or TO take charge OF
bin fixing the compensation to be
paid to the director general of rail-
roads for the period of his service.
The term OF Office Is indefinite and
probably will remain SO. The law
provides for the return OF the rail-
roads to their owners within twenty
one months after peace Is declared
SO that In all human probability the
next director general will have at least
two years 10 serve.
Williams Seems Favoritc
or the names mentioned in connec-
ton with the director generalsnlp the
one most favored by hettors in the
capitol tonight Is that of John Skel-
ton Williams, present comptroller of
the currency. His knowledge Of rail-
reading has been OF inestimable value
to Secretary McAdoo in his manage
ment OF the lines and he is already
familiar with much of the routine
and detail.
Walker D. Hines, assistant director
general OF railroads also is favorably
mentioned as Mr.. McAdoo's successor
In the railorad administrator. Mr..
Hines Is an experienced railroad law
yer and has been closely in touch
with the actual government operation
of transportation since the beginning.
General George w. Cocktails too is
pointed to as available timber for this
position.
The same betting in Washington
political circles Is tonight making
William O. Gould Harding OF Alaba-
ma, governor of the federal reserve
board favorile for secretary OF the
treasury. Others named are Secretary
! Of War Baker. Bernard Baruch, Or.
Harry Garfield. Carter Glass and
James b. Forgan.