The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-05-19

of war risk insurance intends to in
augurate "a field service which will
operate throughout the country" This
Is the most overworked theory of all,
and there is not a community in the
land that has not had a great many
opportunities to supply local organ
iaztions to help the government make
the field service every thing of which
optimistic sponsors dreamed.
1t is placing a new administration
at a terrible disadvantage to expect
of it that it will be able to perform
the impossible feat of 'reconStructing"
the country in a few weeks. The Al
executives, who are such men as are
found in the cabinet, know that such
a thing is impossible, but new bu-
reau chiefs, heads OF sections, and a
few noisy congressman, trot out no
tions that deny they think are new,
but which in fact are as old as the
hills. At the present time the dope
sters are promising that their mar.
cotics, antidotes, and restoratives will
prove "~sure-cures' for all the ills
which they charge were inflicted upon
the country by the democratic party.
AS a matter of fact, most of the pro-
life ideas which are now attracting
attention are similar to those which
the Wilson administration had to live
down, just the same as President
Harding's administration will survive
in spite of the theoretical gentlemen
who are now enjoying the creation
of their plans by day and the reading
about them in the newspapers by
night.
Observers of the progress of the
Harding administration are comment
ing upon the apparently successful
teamwork that is being achieved, ana
this comment is invariably cOntrasted
with results obtained through the
"one-martpower" of the Wilson re-
gime. This is not a partisan state
ment, neither is il a reflection upon
the last administration; because even
lIlt llOSJ diutll IIIdllDlOIlS anu dl-
mirers of Mr.. Wilson admitted that
he carried too many burdens alone,
which was doubtless responsible for
the breakdown of his health. It is
clear that President Harding is giving
his cabinet full swing, and that
through his amiable leadership there
exists a spirit Of cooperation which
promises fine results. 1t will be re-
membered that Herbert Hoover be-
fore accepting the position as secre-
tary Of commerce eXacted so many
conditions from his chief that many
people accused him of being imperti-
nent. Before Hoover had been in Of
fee a week he was predicting his own
political funeral, but that has not de
tered him from overworking to the
point where his friends are already
concerned lest he may break down
in his efforts to reconstruct his de-
partment along better lines of bust
ness, so that it will be efficient, not
only as a branch of the government,
but in its great help in stabilizing
and advancing foreign and domestic
commerce.
Secretary of War Weeks has Sc
cured about as tight a rein on the
affairs of his department as could
be expected from any cabinent official
who has been in office SO short a
,;n,a Doth ha onI Sonrotary D,phr
of the navy have created an impress
sion upon congress that is so favora-
bic that they will be greatly aided
in carrying out the constructive ideas
which they have already demonstrate
ed they possess. 1t may be said that
the previous experience Of these two
men in congress is to their distinct
personal advantage. The pathway to
unreserved acceptance by political
Washington is much longer for Post
master Hays and Attorney General
Daugherty whose proven qualiica-
tons are that they are politicians.
Both are progressing favorable to-
ward the goal Of strongest leadership
that can be exercised only by those
who have demonstrated that they are
nor than adept at politics and have
the qualities possessed by statesmen.
James G.. Blaine, 1.-The plumed
knight from Maine" became the lion
in the cabinet of his chief, and it
would not be surprising if Mr..
Hughes should eventually rival Presi-
dent Harding in the opinion of the
country as the actual leader of this
administration. Already one hears
quiet comment in Washington COM
pairing the abilities of the president
and his secretary of state. The pres
ident apparently has a complete I'm
derstanding with Mr.. Hughes, and the
latter in the exercise of his full dis
erection in the handling of foreign af-
fairs has, to use a common express
sion, made a hit" His recent notes
to foreign powers referring to the
49, ulaIoa- 81 49,