New-York tribune., 1921-02-25
The New Cabinet

up to expectations is varlously ex-
cused. Other Presidents-elect, it is
said truly enough, have done no bet
ter--have chosen personal friends,
yielded to unlovely political infu-
ences and have considered other
things than known capacity to serve
in a national council.
The defect of this defense is that
this time the public was told that it
was the President-elect's fixed pur-
pose to apply higher standards. The
breakdown of confidence in the Will
son Administrative had shown the
consequences of not choosing the
best. A stupendous majority had
lifted asst November's result above
the l.vels of an ordinary party vic
tor and had given the President
vt free opportunity to do as he
s.eased. Ready at hand, without 60
nag beyond party boundaries, was
group of men Of demonstrated abili-
ties available for Cabinet use.
The country expected, to speak
bluntly, that the Cabinet would in
clude Mr.. Root, General Wood, Mr.,
Hoover, supplemented by such men
as Mr.. Hughes and Governor Low
den. In the main the Cabinet was
made up, as it we're, in advance
had been naturally selected by
events.
The task before the President-elect
was thus a simple one--did not call
for the protracted discussion which
has made it difficult for men not can
didates, but willing to serve if ap-
preached in the right wav, to endure
being presented as on the President
elects doorstep, anxiously waiting
for a summons.
This faulty recruiting method, OBJ
jectionable because affronting to
sense of personal dignity, also
tended to defeat the President elects
first wishes. In some cases, it would
seem, when he reached a decision to
invite he encountered declinations
which might have been avoided. Self
respecting men do not enjoy having
their names written on trial balloons.
Of the group of big men and
natural selections two are named
Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Hoover. With
them, it is needless to say, the public
is well content. How they are re-
garded and how the soundness of the
idea behind the campaign for an ex-
ceptional Cabinet is conceded--these
things are sufficiently shown by the
way the merits of the two are now
played up and presented as bucklers
against criticism.
The foreshadowed Secretary Of the
Treasury, Mr.. Mellon, was unknown,
except among limited circle, six
weeks ago. He has been successful
in the management Of his own af-
fairs, and presumptively may be
trusted to serve the public equally
well, but as to his views concerning
public finance and the economic ques-
tions with which he will deal there
is little information.
John w. Weeks, picked for Secre
tary of War, has the good fortune tc
have the confidence of his former
Senatorial colleagues. No reason
exists for doubling his administra.
tive competence to liquidate the
Baker regime. But his inferiority tc
General Wood concerning the larger
matters of military policy is too obvi.
ous to need stressing.
OF the new Postmaster General
Will H. Hays, excellent things may
be expected. He is energetic, pro-
gressive and possesses great or
ganizing ability. His general influ-
ence will be wholesome.
Henry C. Wallace, who is to be
Secretary of Agriculture, likewise
meets all requirements. Both as a
farmer and public spirited citizen
he is a progressive and will notably
carry on the work of his lifelong
friend "Tama jim" Wilson.
The selection for Secretary of the
Interior, Senator Fall, will be more
obviously received. He has a keen
mind, ample experience and wide
knowledge, but what is his attitude
toward conservation? Does he still
entertain Hearst views as to what
should be the country's Mexican
policy?
OF Mr.. DENLY, to head the Navy
Department, and Mr.. Davis, to head
the Department of Labor, the public
knows little. To say this is not to
Judge them adversely; it is simply to
recognize that their records are yet
to be made.
For the designation of Mr..
Daugherty to preside over the De-