El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-07-29
AN ASSISTANT TO THE PRESTDENT'
WOULD EXPEDITE PUBLIC BUSINESS

CEEATOR HARDING says that, If be becomes presi-
- dent he VIII invite the vice president to meet with
the cabinet in council and viii seek his active cooperation
in making government business smoothly. Under the
practice that prevailed, the vice president has had
duties except that Of presiding over the senate when
IN session The rest Of the time he has been regarded
fifth wheel Il did not matter how able man was,
who happened occupy the post, he outside the
eminent to all intents and purposes. president might
with him private socially, but he not
looked upon part Of the executive branch for active
work
As elections carried the early years of the
republic it often happened that the vice president be-
onged to different party from the president Under
those circumstances It would have been Of doubtful value
to for the vice presidents active participation in
executive councils or governmental activities
In later years has often happened that the vice pre
dent has represented different faction from the pres
dent sometimes faction bitterly opposed that it
only kept from revolving by the acceptance Of its cand
date for second place Here again may have been that
president would have been embarrassed IN his policies
II he had encouraged the wee presidents active parpa
ton in government On the other hand sometimes the
faconal differences would have been quoted by such
expedient
PERHAPS It is best to leave this adjustment to the per-
sonal choice of the president But is curious that until
Harding president presidential nominee has sought
that cooperation It has been due to the force Of
dent and habit rather than to reasoned opposition to
the suggestion Nobody seemed to desire to take the first
The cabinet itself IS largely an informal body so far as
the president is concerned He may may
his cabinet council President Wilson failed call his
cabinet together for great many months; he voat
the whole country thus ignoring the department heads
There IS nothing to prevent the president from bring
ing into his councils private citizens having connection
with the government. The department heads would
dot resent and the senate would look askance at such
practice, which might become scandal, IN AM
Jacksons day. But there is law to prevent It.
II would least If the vice president should be
the first to be invited to Ssit in"
In view Of the possibility that vice president may
have assume the duties Of president it would
be the part Of wisdom to give him every op
portunty at al times to famiarze himself with the
tine Of government and the state Of public business
And in his capacity president Of the senate the
vice president ought to be position to offer valuable
suggestions IN matters Of legislation When the house Of
representatives. is Of the political party the presi
dent the speaker might also be invited to meet with the
council as well the chsirmen Of the principal commit
Of the house and senate And with the vast increase
government activities there is need for depart
and department heads and these should be added to
the cabinet council
Whatever might be presidents views to public poll
ces his desires to relying the counsel Of small
all times the benefit Of the counsel Of large and repre-
sentative body Of public men, besides having intimate
tact with the national legislators who necessarily IN
close touch with the people.
But aside from these questions Of policy, there Is
other Of less importance which has to do with the
handling Of the executive business. It would not be prae
cal make the vice president office assistant to the
president But It would be possible create by law the
office Of assistant to the president who would be sort
Of goTd private secretary chosen BY the president with