The New York herald., 1921-02-11
CABINET MAY NOT
Be MADE PUBLIC
BEFORE MARCH 4
Most of Members Chosen,
but Assignment Of Posts
Is Still Unsettled.
FOLLOWS PRECEDENT
Mellon and Dawes Are Both
Being Considered for
the Treasury.
MONEY BILLS DELAYED
Slow Action by Congress May
Increase Work Falling on
New Administration.
MONEY BILLS DELAYED


Special Despatch to THE NEW YoEK HERALD.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Feb. 10.--President-
elect Harding to-day had his first op-
portunity TO devote himself without
interruption to the mass Of official
business that has accumulated to de-
mand his attention since his arrival
In Florida.
He attacked the work in character
istic fashion. In the forenoon he met
half a dozen persons with whom he
had made appointments. received three
or four other callers, dictated two
acore or more letters, took time to re-
peat to correspondents his determine
ton to have the inaugural ceremonies
conducted with all the simplicity pos
sible, played round Of golf and re-
sumed his conferences in the evening.
The outstanding development OF the
days activities Is that Mr.. Hardings
Cabinet is not as close to completion as
had been assumed. While most of the
men whose names have been men
toned in connection with Cabinet
places will become part of the new
Administration, there may be scme
shifts Forecasts of the Cabinet as
signments which have been circulated
more or less freely appear to have
been premature.
Instead of selecting particular indi-
viduals for specific posts he Is apprais-
ing and determining the availability of
the several men he has had under con-
sideration, with a view of getting the
best balanced administration possible.
The representations Of the Cabinet per-
sonnel, with their accompanying drives
for and against certain individuals are
not causing any worry to Mr.. Harding
and his advisers. and the President-elect
intends to take his own time in making
his formal announcements. II may be
that they will not be made until the
afternoon OF March 4.
Other Presidents Were Slow.
In this connection Mr.. Hardins course
will not be without precedent President
Garfield invited Senator William b. Alli-
ury, and the place had been accepted
On the night before his inauguration Mr..
Garfield received message from Sem
ator Allison that. for personal reasons.
he would be unable TO accept. 1t was
Just before noon on March that Mi.
Garfield asked and received the accept
ance of William Window OF Minnesota
for the place.
The formation of President Wilson's
first Cabinet was marked by similar in
cidents. President Taft. who was leav-
ing the White House, had arranged
luncheon for the incoming President and
his official family on inauguration day.
1t had not been possible to invite all
the members of the incoming Cabinet, be-
caus they were not known Charles D.
Hilles Mr.. Tafts secretary, went TO
Mr.. Wilson an hour before the luncheon
and explained the difficulty.
1--WE would be glad" he said, IF you
could inform us to whom to send the In
vitation for the incoming Secretary Of
State. as we don't know"
II think" replied Mr.. Wilson. that
it would be safe to send it to Mr..
Bryan"
Accordingly Mr.. Hilles summoned
secret service man and rushed the in
vitation TO Mr.. Bryan, whom he found
IN the Senate press gallery
AS THE NEW YORK HERALD has an
nounced. MIR. Hardng's mind Ia pretty
well made UP concerning the men ne
would like to have comprise his Cabinet.
But with one. or possibly two, excep
tions, he has made no definite tender
Q OF place TO any men. He Is testing each
mans qualification conscious always
that circumstances might at the last
moment require rcadjustment that
would be impossible II his commitments
were more absolute. In other words,
Mr.. Harding is not likely to press his
invitations beyond a more or less tenta-
tive STAG until he is certain he has q
rlate from which he can make definite
and final selections.
Dawes stiil being Considered.
In the present instance OF Cabinet
making IL is clear that Mr.. Harding in
tends to keep the door closed TO any
such embarrassment. For Instance. II
was widely assumed at one time that
the Secretaryship OF the Treasury was
TO 80 to Charles G. Dawes OF Chicago.
Later lt was asserted that Mr. Dawes
was out and that Andrew W. Mellon
of Pittsburg was to have the place.
THE NEW YORK HERALD may state on
the best of authority that the Treasury
post has not yet been definitely ten
dered or declined, and that Mr. Dawes
IS not yet out OF consideration.
W.T. iiaruinR TeBhEos Doth WI D"Ncs
and Mr.. Mellon as particularly well
equipped for the Treasury portfolio, but
he has not pressed to either man an
offer beyond the point where he is free
20 withdraw IL. Furthermore, IL is
doubtful IL he has assurances from
either man that he would accept in
terms that would not permit of with
drawal.
Tonight Mr.. Harding dined with
Charles d. Hillcs. National Committee-
man from New York. whose appearance
here revived rumors that he was still
potential candidate for Secretary OF
the Treasury. MIR. Harding. however
said he came as an old friend and for
n3er Ohioan and not as a candidate for
any Office. Mr.. Hilles was accompanied
by Senator James w. Wadsworth. and
II is believed they came to discuss New
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