Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-27
CABINET CHANGES
WILL DEPEND ON
PUBL|CSENT|MENT
Meredith's Choice and Hous-
toms Transfer Please Pro-
ponents of Reorganization.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

r Those democrats who have been hop
ing ever since the European war end
ed that President Wilson would re-
organize his cabinet are deriving con-
siderable satisfaction out of the seiec-
ton of Edward T. Meredith editor of
successful Farming. to be Secretary
of Agriculture. and Secretary Houston.
present head of the apartment of
Agriculture. to be Secretary of the
Treasury in place of Carter Glass. who
soon takes his seat as junior senator
from Virginia.
Whether a complete reorganization
in the cabinet is coming depends
largely upon public sentiment-that
is. the sentiment of the democrats
who recognize now that while Mr..
Wilson may have good reason for de-
Ginning to change cabinet officers in
the midst of the war. he ought to see
the political wisdom at least of mend
ing fences this presidential year when
the democratic party goes on trial
not so much for it's management of
Congress. which the country passed
upon adversely in 1918. but for its Gus
todianship Of the executive depart
mentS.
Politics i'm Appointments.
However, much administration folks
may deny it, politics played a large
part in the selection of Messrs Mere
dith and Houston. but insofar as II
may be considered good politics. The
democratic wiseacres hope good APP
pointments made on that basis can
be forgiven.
Plainly the situation that confront
ed the President was this: Mr.
Houston while exceedingly capable
end spoken of by him once as the
become President Of the United
States. has not been particularly i'm
pressive with the farmers. He has
had none of the personal contact or
magnetism of llama" Jim Wilson
Secretary of Agriculture for nearly
fourteen years under republican ad-
ministrations. And far from being
fond of the agricultural post. Mr.
Houston has really had laundering
after matters financial. indeed he is
versatile person, a sort Of general
utility man. When Mr.. Bran re-
signed the President considered APP
pointed him Secretary Of State. He
has also had him under considers
ton for Secretary Of the Interior in the
event that MI Lane was selected for
some other post in the cabinet
But Secretary Houston isn't vote
gctter His abilities are of much more
use To tn administration inSthe Treas
ury than the Agricultural department,
for he has sound views on economics
and can steer an even keel. 1t will be
remembered that the tariff policy of the
present administrati on-at least that
part of il which was criticised as
reversal of democratic doctrine be
cause the principle of protection for
GyeStuffs and other infant industries
was adnl5fted-came from the pen Of
Sccro tffrv Houston. He stood like a
rock in the cabinet. immovable against
the pacifStic views of William Jen-
Inings Bryan in the Lusitania contro-
versv and has always been considered
by newspaper correspondents here
abouts as one of the men of action"
in he cabinet.
Mr.. Meredith Described.
ON the other hand. consider Edward
Meredith of Iowa. He is president of
the Associated Advertising Clubs, edi-
tor of a farming magazine that has
been more or less Il bible among
farmers He understands the business
of publicity and is himself an attract
i've personality. He is an. excellent
campaigner. He ran for governor on
the democratic ticket in Iowa a few
wears ago. His platform favored the
''drys' and good roads, bug in Iowa
hIch swung heavily for Hughes, Mr.
Meredith had little chance. He is a
very wealthy man but is se!f-made
He has been for Woodrow Wilson as
far back as the 1872 campaign and is
liked b. democratic leaders. Recog-
year. they say. ana Ed Meredith can
get democratic votes if anybody can
without making invidioVs COMPARE