The Caldwell tribune., 1920-12-21
APPOINTMENTS
ARE T0bEFEW
IN THIS STATE
Caldwell Man Talked
for Utilities Coinmis-
sioner; Idaho Capital
Buzzes with Politics. .


Boise.-There is a marked absence
of interest in politics in the capitol
this week due largely to the fact tha,
the governor has but few appoint
ments at his command. The men,
bers of the legislature will not COM
mence to arrive for another two
weeks, and the department heads
about the capitol are working feverish-
ly upon reports and budgets which
must be in the hands of the governor
at an early date. 49,,
This year is the first in many that
a governor has not had = large
number of vacancies to fill at the be-
ginning of biennium when the faith
full always present endorsements and
seek the aid of friends in winning
jobs. but the return of Governor Davis
to power finds the Republicans and
the plum tree barren of fruit. James
H. Brady, James H. Hawley and John
M. Haines, all of whom served only
one term in the governors office, had
their appointments to make, and
Moses Alexander had almost as many
vacancies to will when he entered
upon his second term as he did when
he took office by reason of the fact
that the Democrats had filled the
state house when he was reelected.
Governor Davis, on the contrary, has
been surrounded for two years by
/. Republicans and the appointments
which he made upon office in 1919 will
stand with the possible exception of
two or three minor officials. At least
that is the word which has been given
out.
"A. L. Freehafer, Democrat, for
six years member of the Public
Utilities commission, will quit office
January l, and Capt. D. A. Banks,
head of the finance department, will
become state treasurer the first of
the year. These are the best jobs in
the state house, and in fact. about the
only positions which will be vacant.
A week or more is expected to elapse
before either of these places is filled.
No one has been mentioned to date
for commissioner of finance, but sew
eral we'll known Republicans are be-
ing groomed for the vacancy on the
utilities commission. Frank Ryan of
Weiser, J. M. Thompson Of Caldwell
and Colonel L. v. Patch of Payette
are being talked of for the place.
Thompson is said to be the strongest
candidate Of the three.
The election of Judge Charles P.
Mccarthy of the Third judicial dis
trict and Judge Robert N. Dunn of
the Eighth judicial district, to the
state supreme court bench. and the
death of Judge w. w. Wood in the
First judicial district, has left va
cancies which the governor is filling.
Successors to Judge Dunn and Judge
Wood have been named, but Judge
successor will not be
named until late this month.
Several members of the legislature
have been in the capitol within the
last ten days, but they have visited
Boise more in their own interest than
in the interest of friends, for they
nave learned that it is going to be hard
to obtain suitable living quarters here
during the winter. The hotels are
filled. up and houses are scarce. The
old Sherman house, where many leg
islators were accustomed to finding
accommodations every session, has
been sold and closed, and no new
hotels have been built. The hotels
here are enjoying excellent patronage
and they hesitate to make = rate to
of the legislature which will
permit the law makers to enjoy their
hospitality.
But while the law makers are seek
ing places to sleep several comn''t-
tees, numerous organizations and as
sociations and many individuals who
expect or hope to wheedle the legis-
lature out of the appropriations, must
of a necessity cit to think OF new
ways by which they can get money
for their pet projects. for the word
has been passed that appropriations
are to be held down to the minimum.
Tight money. coupled with the slow
movement Of grain and hay and live
stock, has caused reaction which Is
certain to be noticed when the legis-
lature convenes. This was made ap-