The Washington herald., 1920-11-09
SEEK Big Man
TO FILL CHIEF
CABINET POST
Republican Leaders Want
Man in Experience, I'm
derstanding, Vision.
ROOT PROPOSED OFTEN
David Jayne Hill, Senator
Knox, NMyron Herrick
Also Spoken Of.
ROOT PROPOSED OFTEN
BY ROBERT BARRY.

party, no less than on the front
page of American and European
newspapers. Informal conferences
by elder statesmen of the party
are being held. Others will follow
in Washington shortly. when Sem
ators have terminated their holi-
days after the strenuous campaign
ing.
A conclusion forging to the front
in these conferences is that the hour
and the issue in Americas interna-
tional relations is too serious for
Secretary of State to be chosen
by the ordinary standards OF po-
litical expediency. personal associa-
ton or party reward. 1t is not
intended that anyone shall dictate
to President-elect Harding as TO the
selection of the premier of his Cab
met, but il is felt certain he will
regard the Views OF the party lead
ers in the full spirit of his pledges
for party government"
With a wealth OF Cabinet mate
rial on which to draw. 1t is felt
there is need that the man chosen
for the State Department portfolio
shall be an accepted leader in ex-
perience. in understanding and in
vision. II is the current promise of
Republican leaders that the man
chosen by Harding will be one to
bring to the State Department a
dignity and practical knowledge
commensurate with the large task
OF unscrambling Americas foreign
relations.
The name of Elihu Root is men
toned most frequently in the news
papers. 1t 10 said in one quarter.
Root will accept If offered; in 9TH
ers. no less well informed. that he
would prefer not to assume an
office for four or eight years, be-
ing inclined to serve his country in
the negotiations of a new treaty
with Germany or in discussion with
European leaders of a new basis
for world agreements in behalf of
international peace. ss.
Some OF the facts anent the DIS
agreements between Root and party
leaders, notably Harding and Lodge,
are beginning to reach the public.
There are indications that those diff
ferences will be indicated in more
positive form when the time shall
have arrived for Harding's confer
ences in the interest of his promised
new association of nations. The
point that Root was out Of sympathy
with the apparent drift of Harding.
during the campaign, toward the po-
sition of irreconcilability voiced by
Senators Johnson, Borah, Knox.
Brandegee and even Lodge, Is not
new.
At one time. Gov. Cox was said to
have been in possession of such
definite information on that subject
that he all but stated it in one of
his western speeches. 1t was the
Cox knowledge in that respect that
caused him to challenge Roots Car
negie Hall speech. Nor were the re-
lations between Root and Lodge al
ways cordial during the progress of
the treaty fight in the Senate. 1t
was stated frequently that Root and
VIII H. Hays were making II diff
ficult for Lodge to keep the Repub-
lican majority in line for his reser-
vation program.
After Root suggested at the New,
York Republican State convention in
February that America should go
into the league and then try to
amend it, Lodge took issue with him.
In a colloquy with Senator Johnson
over the Root position. Lodge con-
tended that the time to amend the
was before entering the
league.
For these reasons. and others,
Washington opinion is not so con-
fident that Root has a walk -over in
the contest for the appointment as
of State. Such responsible
discussion as has been possible here
during the absence of leaders who
could say "yes" or mo" with respect
to any particular man. has CEN
tered about David Jane Hill. He is
being supported by men whose ad-
vice is known to carry great weight
with Harding. Hill is held to have
the full Endorsement of Col. George
Harvey and others of like promi-
nence and influence. The supporters
of DIR. Hill point to his broad knowl-
edge of international statescraft, es-
pecially as revealed in his book on
the subject of European diplomacy.
He has given years of his life to
the study of questions that now
press to the front, and. his friends
assert. he would carry to the Cab
met post a personal bearing of
dignity and reserve as to restore
the position to its traditional status.
1t is not known here whether DIR.
Hill would accept the post, but 1t
is felt that he would. because of
sense of duty to give his country
the benefit of his exceptional knowl-
edge and experience.
SENATOR Philander C. Knox, of
has not been consfa-
cred seriously for the place, at
though the close personal friendship
between Knox and Harding is well
known. With respect to Senator
Lodge, 1t is pointed out as chairman
Of the Committee on Foreign Re-
ations and majority leader in the
senate. he would have greater pres
tige than in entering the State De-
,artment. 1t Is urged also that
Lodge prefers his present associa-
ions. He is well along in years,
but no man in Congress welcomes u
light or matching OF wits in open
iebate more than he. y
There has been some mention OF
Myron T. Herrick, of Ohio, and
George Sutherland. former Senator
rom Utah. both of whom are close
friends of Harding. but the
among party leaders
ievelop an inclination to select a
nan of greater experience in diplo.
macy than Herrick. Nor Is Ii felt
hat because of Suther.and.s ability
Is a lawyer he should be thrust into
he field OF foreign relations There
: no opposition to his selectian ~