The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-14
VARIED DOMESTIC
PROBLEMS GETTING
WILSON'S SCRUTINY
President Not Overlooking
Hue and Cry Against BurIe-
son and Economic Situa-
tiOnS During Absence.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Correspondent OF the News
Scimltar,1

- hhtlViIn IatlIleu out ne is neYeTthe-
less delvihg deeply into the domestic
situations, political. economic and fl
nancial, which have grown acute dur
ing his absence.
The president has been told that his
administration has been severely Criti-
cized whlle ne was in Europe, critl-
clzed Tor many powers exercised by
cabinet officers and otner subordinates
ana that the people are expecting him
to set his official house in order.
FIRST among the delicate problems
which stare Mr.. Wilson in the face is
general, Albert Sidney Burieson, 1t
would be surprising II the president
ilatly asked the poStmaster-general to
resign. He has always given ear to
Mr.. Burleson's observations and no man
IN the cabinet has spent more OF his
time talking or thinking about the po-
Itical fortunes or destiny Of Woodrow
wilson than the posLmaster-general.
VI course Mr., Bur1eson's opponents,
ana they are numerous, would be glad
u the president asked for the resigna
tloh OF me postmaSt er-general, but this
Is unlikely. What seems more plausible
Is mat Mr.. Burleson himself would offer
10 Withdraw from the cabinet. Even
then Mr.. Wilson might consider that
ne had even more important work for
we postmaster-general than managing
the poStOffiCe department-he might an
point him on one of the numerous inter
national commissions which are being
set up in this country and abroad to
carry out the provisions OF the peace
treaty and to meet the reconstruction
needs Of Europe.
But that Mr.. Burleson, like one or
two others Of the cabinet, is ready and
anxious to turn himself away from an
otilce which he has held uninterrupted
~ lot seven years Is beginning to be
thought IN quarters where the subject
Is RpnfIV IntIRhnH NNNNA, $780,. -
esting.
Usually when there is an ~unfoundcd
rumor that a Cobinet officer is to re-
sign, instant denial Is forthcoming. And
me Nhlte House adds n word or two
refusal of White House officials even
~ discuss the subject Is generally con-
Strued In Washington as the forerun-
ner OF some change.
Party Is ~Clamoring.
There is good reason to believe that
MIR. Burleson himself wrote the presi-
ueht rather clearly on the subject Of
recent criticism and Indicated a will
ihgness to withdraw If he seemed to
be ~ the way, The president has not
yeu Let anyone know what his answer
rally the Democratic leaders in vari-
ous parts Of the country and bolster
up his party he will heed the clamor
OF the Democrats who claim their
chances to win e time have been
nuIt oy the postnaster-generals atti-
tuae on various public questions.
Another cabinet officer who has late
" been mentioned as likely to retire
Is William c, Redfield, secretary Of
commerce.. | asked him II there was
any truth in the report but he said
NO without eq~uivocation, Like many
diDIneT nAhInAf 1nNpAWnrxF
who realizes that only about is months
remain Of the second Wilson term, he
mas been thinking Of what he would do
after retiring from the cabinet, and It
Is lust possible that his plans may ma
teriali2e before the end Of this admin
This Is the season in all administra-
lions when cabinet changes are usual,
Ihere would have been more shifts II
Mr., Wilson had not felt 1t necessary
to go to Europe, Most OF the cabinet
officers deemed 1t their duty to run
their departments without trying to
break In successors while Mr.. Wilson
was away.
Mr., Wilson Is already giving much at
tentton to these questions Of personnel
put he is also turning with especial In
tSrest to the action. passed and contem-
president, even while governor of New
Jersey, was rather skillful in the use Of
the veto power. While the Republican
party possesses a majority in both
houses OF congress, 1t is quite another
matter 70 get enough Democrats to bolt
Mr., Wilson'S leadership and override
vote.
Congress has been legislating and ap-
propriating under Republican rule for
six weeks. Many of the estimates sub
mltted by the government departments
nave been mercilessly cut. The execu-
1--WE branch OF the government asked
Tor more money than 1t has gotten.
Some tasks must be left undone. Mr..
Wilson can insist on more funds or he
can sign the appropriation bills and as
ne attaches his signature can issue
statements defining the responsibility.
Budgets Are Cut.
The Republicans have been cutting
down on appropriations because they
believed the American people want
economy and reduction OF taxes. But
the most radical cut has been made in
tho appropriations OF the army and
navy. Naturally the ending Of the war
brings a reduction in size Of the mill
tary and naval establishment. But Il
is going TO be very difficult to explain
to many of the troops returning from
overseas why they haven't had as good
accommodations as their predecessors
Va q ltluI link III
tho holds OF transports, Many OF them
went across as privates but valor In
battle won them a promotion-but tho
economy wave deprived them of the
benefits Of their rank.
Similarly an embarrassing situation
has arisen with respect to the 200, 900
reserve officers who responded eagerly
TO a QUESTIONABLE sent out a few
months ago by the wal department ask
ing how many officers who had entered
from civil life would care to stay In the
army, The war department fully ex-
pected that the army would be kept at
about 500 900 men and it was deemed
desirable to enroll at once as many as
possible OF the officers who had actual
ly been under fire or had distinguished
themselves In service back of the lines.
Now ongres has cut down the funds
available to pay officers and Secretary
Baker and the general staff have been
compelled reluctantly to discharge the
officers who had agreed to stay. Many
had given up opportunities to go home
with their units or to take advantage OF
business opportunities which offered
themselves earlier. Now they are prac,
tically forced out Of the army and
there's no telling when the war de-
partmcnt can recover them for use II
expanding our forces II congress shoult
relent and authorize a larger army.
Many of these questions have beer
itSl SlEVN Ut MUllt MT. wilson mas ncti
away. The Democrats suffered great
Is in public esteem by their handling o.
the taxation question, The Republic
ans know II and are trying to avoid thC
same pitfalls, But, in cutting appro
priations to suit one class Of opinion
they are taking chances with anothe
section Of the body polite which be
lieves in an adequate army and navy.
Some expression from President vii
son on military policy is expected T.
develop during his discussion OF a leagu,
Of nations. The president has empha
sized hat the league would help I
would enforce peace, He has not We
said how much Of a force America ough
to contribute toward the object. II l
II Of the numerous problems left un
settled for months hut bound to proiec
itself for early settlement now tina
President Wilson is back home again.
Copyright, 1919, by The News
SCimitar).