The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-05
HARDING STARTS
AT FULL SPEED
Appointments Come Thick and
Fast in Washington.
New Secretary of State Plunges
Into Panama Crisis.
QEWQITC lDppnDpIATInN knTe
REWRITE APPROPRIATION ACTS
Army and Navy Budgets First
to New Congress.
G. o. p. Leaders OF House and
Senate in Farley.

Washington, March 5.-President
Harding started the work of his ad-
ministration at full speed on his first
day in office.
At his desk early in the morning.
Harding before lunch had conferred
with five cabinet members, approved
three important appointments and
talked with Senator Lodge and Rep
resentative Mondell, Republican lead
ers in the house and senate.
March To Hold Job.
gecrrtary Weeks announced General
Peyton c. March, temporarily Will be
continued as. chief of staff, and Will
liam r. Williams as assistant secre-
tary of war.
The appointments approved by
Harding were those of Henry P. F1et-
cher as under secretary of state; f.
ID. Ball as assistant secretary OF labor.
Ball was assistant secretary OF agrl-
culture under Meredith. Fletcher was
former bassador to Mexico.
Herbert Hoover. secretary of com
merce. talked over with Harding his
plans for reorganization of the depart
ment.
Secretary of War Weeks and Sec
rotary of the Navy DENLY took up the
situation created by failure OF the
army and navy appropriation bills
and plans were laid for rewriting these
measures and getting them started
In conferences with Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace. Harding ap-
proved retention of Ball.
Consider Panama Crisis.
Secretary of State Hughes talked
over with Harding the situation in
Panama where American interests are
threatened by an invasion of Panama
by Costa Rican troops. American war
ships have already been dispatched TO
the scene of the fighting to protect
American interests. This is the first
international problem undertaken by
. the new administration.
After Hughes left the White House,
Lodge and Mondell saw the president.
One of the principal questions to be
taken up with the leaders was the
date for the special session of con-
gress. 1t had been given out that TINS
would be April A, but it is possible 1t
, may be called earlier because of the
failure of the two big appropriation
bills.
White House officials said tie presi-
dent would be unable because of his
heavy duties today, to attend the fun
eral services of Champ Clark at the
capitol, much as he wanted to do so.
Harding's first dictation was given
to Miss Eva E. Uhl and Miss Coranella
Mattern, who will be his personal
stenographers at the White House.
The use of women stenographers is
an innovation, former presidents hav-
ing employed men.
Herbert Hoover, secretary of COM
merce, was the second cabinet men,
Der to confer with Harding today.
NJ Special Session Date.
No date for the special session had
been settled, Senator Lodge and Mr..
Mondell said after the conference. 1t
was indicated that they would soon
again confer with the president on the
subject.
Secretary Mellon. of the treasury
department, was Mr.. Harding's next
caller.
secretary Fall announced the fol-
lowing appointm Charles R. SAT-
ford, of New Mexico former secretary
of the senate committee on the Pacific
islands and Porto Rico, to be the sec
rotary assistant. Charles w. Nestler
of Ohio, to continue as assistant to the
secretary and Isidore Shaffer, of Bos-
ton, to be private secretary.
Edward j. Henning of San Diego,
Cal today was appointed assistant sec
rotary of abor. His appointment was
the first official act of Secretary of La
Dor Davis. Henning. who will take the
place vacated by Louis Post. was given
the oath of office Immediately after
Davis took it.
Maj. Gen. John A. LeJeune will be
continued as commandant of the ma
rine corps, Secretary DENLY announced
today. Brig. Gen. George Barnett, who
formerly commanded the corps. will be
promoted to the permanent rank of
major general