Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-08
SENATOR NEW
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04l4V&11O 1A NEW
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beginning. that neither persf1ing or
Wood will be appointed. The APP
poinlment viii go 10 Senator New or
some other civilian Senator New is
the only prominent civilian now mem
TONED for the place. He had charge
of the speakers bureau For the Re-
publican National Committee in the
recent presidential campaign. and
was one OF the big directin-; heads at
the Chicago headquarters. He is
very close 10 Senator Harding and is
well qualified Tor the place. Senator
New is Il newSpapeTman by profess
sion and 4 veteran OF the War with
Spain. having served as a captain in
that conflict. The United Spanish
War Veterans. in fact all veteran or
ganizationss and newspaperInan gem
orally are for him. For many years
he was a member OF the Republican
National Committee and was IFS
chairman in 1919. He served in the
Indiana Senate for four years. anu is
we'll qualified by education expert
ence. and public service TO be secre-
tary of war If he wants II the post
probably VIII be rendered 10 him by
Mr.. Harding. He IS one OF the most
active members of the Senate Military
Affairs Committee.
Senator New today declined TO dis
cuss the report that he has been
slated for a position in the Cabinet.
He gave the impression that he pre-
ferred TO remain in the Senate. but il
&c F.u1s - - - n
place in Mr. Harding's official family.
Senator New is an enthusiast on
the subject OF military aeronautics.
At the last Congressional session he
proposed 10 consolidate the air
service of the Army and Navy under
one head. and he said today he would
renew the movement to secure that
during the December session
At present there is little doubt that
Senator New will become secretary
OF war if he wants il. The general
opinion in Washington is that if ap
pointed the country could not secure
a better man for this eXacting posi-
ton
New would be 4 refreshing change
from several secretaries of war that
we have had in the last few years and
who could be named.
Next TO Senator New General
Pershing looms as the most probable
military candidate for the position
No one doubts that Black Jack"
would make a splendid secretary OF
war But he is general of the United
states Army for life. position
really greater than the secretary OF
war His salary as general OF the
Army is about $4,000 annually. The
salary of 4 Cabinet officer is only
$1,000 per year. Pershing has never
participated in politics and does not
labor under the handicap that Cen
eral Wood does IN that regard
Major General Leonard Wood also
is prominently mentioned for head of
the War Department. But Wood tried
hard 10 beat Harding for the presi-
Dental nomination. and it is recalled
that the Wood forces at the Chicago
Convention tried 10 prevent the
nomination of Senator Harding right
up 10 the nomination Wood has
some powerful backing in high Re-
publican circles. but this backing was
not originally for Mr.. Harding and
in all probability would not be con-
suited by Mr.. Harding IN preference
TO- the original Harding men when
the time comes 10 select the new
Cabine.. II is now regarded here as
extremely unlikely that Wood viii be-
come secretary OF war
One of the principal reasons ad-
vanced against appointment Of either
Pershing or Wood is the general OBJ
lection TO having 4 military man raIh-
er than a civilian at the head OF the
War Department. Even army officers
themselves prefer 4 civilian head
probably on the principle that they
can manage a civilian easier than
they could one of their own profess
sion. 1t is this reason which viii
operate more powerfully than any
otter-that a civilian rather than an
army officer should head the War
Department-to prevent the selection
of Pershing or Wood. In tact il may
be stated on the highest authority
TOW that if Senator New does not
take the place some other civilian viii
get il.
Next in interest after selection of
a new secretary OF war viii be the
appointment of a new chief OF staff
General March. now chief of staff.
viii not be reappoiuted- This is
generally known in Washington.
General Woods friends. knowing now
that he cannot become secretary of
war, are quietly pulling wires for
Wood To succeed March. These
wires may be pulled hard but il is
believed the effort to make Wood
chief OF staff viii fail. Mai. Gen
Clarence Edwards is most prominent
" mentioned now for chief of staff.
Persning does not want that jon be-
cause general of the army is greater
position