Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-04
CABINET LINEUP MAKES
PARTY SPLIT IMPOSSIBLE
Atho Johnson, of California, Was Bitterly Opposed to
the Inclusion Of Herbert Hoover, His
Followers Approve.

, of Hoover, whom he had fought Bit
terlv, nor Hughes with whose name
ne has been associated in strong en-
nifty ever since the spectacular cpl
sode of the campaign in 1915, in
which johnson carried California by
300, 900. but Hughes lost it by 5000.
nor is johnson reconciled by the in
cluSion of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr..
who last year supported General
Wood as against Johnson for the Re
publican presidential nomination.
But while johnson personally is not
is true that the portion of Johnson's
following which is bitter against the
league Of nations is also bitter against
Hoover B1t the position OF Cali
fornia as respects Hoover and John
son is illustrated by an episode
known to n fow politicians. in the
recent controversy over Hoover's in
clusion in the cabinet When it be-
came known in California that John
son was opposed to the selection of
Hoover and when 1t was rumored
with whatever degree of truth only
the two men themselves can know
that Johnson had said to Mr.. Hard
ing that he would regard the nam
ing of Hoover as an affront, Califor-
mia took notice. The California lead
ers found ways of laying before Mr.,
Harding a degree OF approval of
to resist Johnson's opposition.
II Is said that of the 26 leading
California Republicans who were del
cGates to the Republican convention
last Juno. and who supported John
son to the last ballot, % recently
united in support of Hoover as
cabinet selection. The political bear
inGs of such n dissent on the part
of California from Johnson's oppo-
sition TO Hoover are obvious.
1t Is on the league of nations and
on foreign subjects generally that
antipathy. on that body of domestic
issues which arc commonly spoken
OF as progressive tho position of
Hoover and Johnson is more or less
identical. and the personal following
of each overlaps. In short con-
siderable degree of Johnson's follow
ing ON domestic progressive issues
will be carried to Harding's cabinet
by the inclusion OF Hoover.
In the same way. I'm spite OF tho
California episode of 1915. the fact
is that outside of California on do
mcstic progressive issues the follow
ing of Hughes and the following of
johnson largely overlap. Johnson's
Identity with the direct primary, for
example. does not exceed the fight
which Hughes. ms governor of New
York, fought almost to his political
state For this and other reasons
a large portion OF tho old progressive
party regards Hughes as one of them.
Finally. the strength that John
son undeniably has as being the part
ncr and heir OF Roosevelt, senior.
in the leadership OF the old Progress
;ivc party will be placated by Mr..
Harding's choice OF Roosevelt, Jr..
to the post Of assistant secretary OF
tho navy In which his father made
his political start From the point
of Wow OF party and personal poll
tics Mr.. Harding In his cabinet selec-
tions has tied together 80 many
groups and factions that any insurg
ont movement along the lines of the
dcfcctIons OF the past eight or ten
years In the near future Is almost
impossible. To be sure, "A host OF
now issues are coming up. with
equal certainty. johnson has person.
al qualities Of dynamic leadership not
cxcellcd by any man In public life.
Moreover. he has his position in the
senate. and it viii he In the con-
sidcratian of legislation in that body
that any Insurgency against Mr..
Hardings leadership Is likely to de-
vclop While all that Is said here
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