New-York tribune., 1920-02-26
Wilson Selects Bainbridge Colby
For Secretary of State; Senators
Talk of Rejecting Nomination
Appointment of Former
Republican, WhoHelped
Found Bull Moose Party.
Surprises Washington
Demand for Inquiry
By Senate Is Made
Calder Leads Opposition
to Confirmation; Storm
Over Crane Is Renewed

Over Crane Is Renewed
By Carter Field
From The Tribune's Washington su~eos
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-In ap-
pointing cambridge Colby, former
Republican and Progressive, Secre.
tary Of State to-day to succeed Rob
ert Lansing, President Wilson gave
Washington tremendous surprise.
Even the appointment yesterday Of
Charles r. Crane, another former
Republican who had been disciplined
for talking too much" by Secretary
Of State Knox, did not surprise the
politicians as much as the Colby ap-
pointment. Crane at least supported
President Wilson in 1912, both with
money and words. Colby that year
worked for Roosevelt, and did not
get on the Wilson band wagon unit
the summer Of 1916-after Roosevelt
had come out for Hughes.
At the Senate there was genera!
indignation, complicated by slight
uneasiness as to the wise course to
pursue. Many Republican Senators
are honestly torn tonight between
what they regard as their constitu-
tional duty as Senators and what
they are inclined to believe would
be good politics.
Official Family Surprised i
Senator Lodge, while declining alb.
solutely to be quoted, is one of these.
He is understood to believe that the
President should be permitted to
have his unhampe1ed way in such
appointments as those of Colby and
Crane, thinking that this will demon
strate to the country the incapacity
OF the Democratic Administration.
On the other hand, there is the
question, as viewed by many Repub
llcan Senators, of whether it is not
the duty Of the Republicans to pre-
vent confirmation of such appoint,
ments on the theory that by con-
firmation the Senate would be as
suming share Of the responsibilitv
before the country.
The President surprised his oficia,
family as we'll as Congress by the ap-
polntment. Members of the Cabinet
and Joseph P. Tumulty, secretary 20 the
PRESIDENT, had not heard whisper of
Colby last night. At the White House
an impression was given visitors that
Secretary of War Baker had the, bes,
chance for the place. One Cabinet mem
Der was convinced that John w. Davis.
Ambassador to Great Britain. had the
inside track.
Wilson and Colby Confer
Mr.. Colby was met at the station 70.
day by Director of the Mint Raw Baker
and driven to the White House. whers
ne conferred for an hour with ths
president on the south porch. the
chalr. On leaving the White House Mr.
Colby made the following statement:
Il had long and unhurried confer
ence with the President, which i'm
pressed me with the great confidence
he has reposed in me. hope ] shall
not prove inadequate to these great
duties"
Apparently no one outside few per-
sonai friends of Mr.. Colby was pleased
iyfy
profess that Mr.. Colby had any special
qualifications for the place, but they
asserted vigorously that he is "an
awful good fellow" and that they were
"for him.
There is more disposition to permit
confirmation of Colby than Crane. on
the ground that the President is GER
orally allowed to have his own way
in the selection of his Cab;-
been rejected by the Senate. Incl.
dentally the Crane nomination has mo-.
been sent TO the Senate, and It was
not known at the White House TO-DAY
just when it would be.
Democrats Are Disgruntied
The Democrats are lust as much dis
gruntled over the appointment Of Mr.
Colby and Mr.. Crane for tina. matter
as the Republicans though as usual
they are not as willing to be quoted
publicly. There are Democrats In
Washington who worked through the
1915 campaign with Mr.. Colby, who are
much pleased with the appointment
and think it is fitting reward. Bat
on Capitol Hill the Democrats run
more to the old line variety, and thew
are shocked to think that q man who
was lifelong Republican up 20 1919
should be given the highest Office
outside the Presidency itself In the
gift Of the party.
Democrats holding this view pointed
out grim!y that the Secretary Of State
is third IN line for the Pres ideney. anc
that Mr.. Colby would become President
OF the United States if anything should
happen to both President Wilson ana
Vice President Marshall.
The "drys" were also much distressed
at the appointment, recalling that ass
member of ~the Shipping Board Mr..
Colby appeared before q Senate com
mittee and vigorously opposed var
time prohibition, holding that cutting
of beer would interfere seriously WITH
the efficiency Of the shipbuildinr wards
This action does not seem Tn have xyon