New-York tribune., 1920-12-26

"A fOntlC0i JOB
"The head of a department is q
supporter Of the Administration
which appoints him-legitimately
political. Therefore, he should know
his country as whole-that is, hs
ought not to be provincial, whether
of the East or the West or the Mid
die West, North or South. No sec
retary can do his work we'll who
does not know the other countries of
the world well enough to understand
their policies and the trend Of their
civilizations in general way.
"If these qualities are needed,
though perhaps not always found, in
men they are more needed in the
first woman secretary, who must
work harder and do more in order
to succeed. l need not say that at
present an honest purpose to aid
just industrial and economic prog
ress in the United States ought to
be the basis in any one intrusted
with governmental responsibility.
"Simple good manners and the re-
spect for the public which suppos-
edly lie behind them are an advan-
tage, technically and morally.
Women are individuals and must
be chosen as such and tested by ali
the rules Of the game without favor
No one can say with safety what ac
tivities are peculiarly suited to
women, because, like other human
beings, women differ"
Responsibility to Her Sex
1t seems to US that ono very I'm.
portant point Is brought out In this.
the responsibility TO her sex Of the
woman who shall be the first to serve
as Cabinet officer. The very fact
that she is an innovation will make
her responsibility twice as great.
She will carry not only the burden
Of her official duties. she will carry
the burden Of making good for the
women who come after her IN pub
lie office.
Nearly every one has a candidate
for the prospective new place in the
Cabinet. Among many Of the suf-
fragists there is a feeling that their
leader is one of the most capable
persons who could be selected for
the post. Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Cats name Is associated with the
work Of women and the progress of
suffrage in nearly every mind in the
country. Her place and her ability
as an executive are undisputed and
speak for themselves. And there is.
besides her suffrage work, her load
ership among women in war time as
chairman Of the Women's Committee
of the Council Of National Defensr
Mrs. Robins Has Friends
Because Of her great activities in
social welfare work Mrs. Raymond
Robins is the candidate of son1e OF
the women. She has had experience
as an executive and has been active
IN work for the Republican party. as
one OF the Republican women's
executive committee. Mrs. Medill
Mccormick Is another Of the Repub-
lican women who have proved them
selves both in the work for the
party and In social work. She has
a genius for politics, both inherited
and the result Of long association
with political circles.
Women in different parts Of the
West have suggested Miss Jeanette
Rankin and Mrs. Harriet Tavlol
Upton. Miss Rankin has had one
place as "the first woman" and al
though there are many who disagree
with her political moves she repre-
sented her sex most creditably as a
person. Mrs. Upton came to the
front as strong worker in the IA
publican campaign. She has Ion.
known in suffrage circles and az a
clubwoman and Is very popular with
women who have worked with her.
IF the new department is estab4
lished the appointment Of an execu-
tive will lie with President Har-
ding. AS with the suggestions for
heads OF other departments, the next
President will probably find himself
overwhelmed with advice from every
part Of the country. And probably
the prophecies as to who tho wosnau
Cabinet member will be are Of about
~ much value as those made about
tho Republican nominee. We DE- nes
pretend 70 have the saracitv Of n Mr.,