Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-29
CABINET JUST MATTER
OF FITTING PEGS IN HOLES
BY ROBERT #, SMALL.

MARION. Ohio. December 29.-"The
cabinet material is pretty well in
hand. 1t is just matter now of fit
ting the pegs into the holes
This is President-elect Harding's
own standardization of the cabinet
situation. The remark was attributed
to him today by one of his official
callers, and it indicates the senator
has pretty Well made up his mind as
to the personnel of his official family
even if he hasn't made any absolutely
binding decisions.
One of the difficulties said to con-
front Mr.. Harding is how to squeeze
about twenty eligible men into ten
cabinet positions. The new depart
ment of welfare still is to be created
and the selection of a woman to pre-
side over it naturally is being deferred
until the regularly constituted de-
partments are taken care of
Decisions Are Difficult.
Mr.. Harding also has in mind several
men he is confident would fit we'll into
any one of two or three inches in the
cabinet, making decision in their case
all the harder to reach. Herbert Hoov-
er. for instance. if finally induced to
serve, could be usefully employed in al
most any cabinet position. In fact, he
has been mentioned at one time or an
other for almost all of the positions
The latest report that he may be made
Secretary of Labor has gained much
credence here in Marion. His accept
ance of that place would solve a very
troublesome problem for the President
to-be. Unquestionably there has been
considerable wrangling in republican Cir
cles about the Labor portfolio. SuggeS-
tions for the Office have run all the way
from strong union labor men to big
business men violently in favor Of the
open shop. 1t is certain Senator Hard
ing will go to neither extreme
The present Secretary of Labor is a
union man, but had served in Con-
gress before his elevation to cabi-
net rank. At present there is no
thought in Mr.. Harding's mind Of
placing a strictly union man in the
lob. Mr. Hoover, with his wide un-
derstanding Of men and conditions of
labor, not only in this country, but
abroad, has been urged as an ideal
man for the labor chair at the Presi
dents table and is being earnestly
considered in that connection.
Others Under CONFEDERATION.
Senator Harding insists that he also
has under consideration several men
whose names have not been men,
toned, at any rate not prominently
mentioned, in the public prints.
In view of the wide range cabinet
discussion has taken 1t would be diff
ficult to imagine a real surprise.
Senator Harding is quite frank
concerning the theory upon which he
is constructing his cabinet. even if he
remains extremely taciturn as to it's
nersonnel He wants the cabinet to
have a foundation of three or four
strong men-men whose names will
mean much to the American people.
He believes that with such founda-
ton. the superstructure can more or
less take care of itself. In other
words, the senator is understood to
mean that political and geographical
considerations can enter into the
choice Of the men who are to sur
ronnd what might be termed the big
three" or the big four" in the cabinet
family.
Choosing "Best Mlnds.'
This would indicate. of course, that
while Senator Harding expects unani-
nous approval of all of his cabinet
choices, he is banking upon surround
ing himself, first Of all. with three or
four of the "best minds" that can be
induced to take public office.
Copyright. 192o.)