New Mexico state record., 1921-02-18
By EDWARD 3. CLARK.

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.
Neutrality-suspicious. has to 90 through
a maze more difficult to penetrate than
that whose hidden path led TO Rosa
mond's bower when he tries to thread
the intricacies of the policies govern
ing cabinet appointments.
ION the eve of his Inauguration
President Harding can give out
list of the names of his chosen cabi-
net officials which does not contain
the name of any man thus far men
toned for place, and feel assured that
no man who has been mentioned can
complain that he has been deceived by
promises of preferment."
This is the verbatim statement
made to me by man who more GER
tainly than all others, except one, has
every reason to believe that he is to
be member of the official family of
the next President of the United
States.
Meantime, cabinet gossip keeps up
its racing pace here. New lists have
been put into the public prints within
few days, but there is no assurance
that the new lists may not become
old and discarded lists within the
span of 4S hours. 1t is interesting,
however, to note the various directions
taken by the running feet of gossip.
Sutherland May Be Named.
l am told that Mr.. Harding is hav-
Ing more difficulty In selecting a man
for the post of secretary Of the in
terror than for any other place. 1t is
said also that he is likely finally TO
offer the Interior department TO
George Sutherland of Utah, a lawyer
of high standing, former United
States senator and the present presi-
dent of the American Bar association.
1t is also said today that IL some
obliging justice Of the Supreme court
will step down from the bench not
long after Mr.. Sutherlands appoint
ment to his cabinet position, the place
made vacant will be filled by the pro-
motion of Mr.. Sutherland. Rumor
and something more substantial than
rumor are insistent that Mr.. Hard
ing's desire is eventually TO put Mr..
Sutherland on the highest bench In
the land.
Something that believe Is not alto
gether gossip, and in fact comes pretty
near being the truth, Is that a man
whose name has not yet been men
toned in the newspapers for cabinet
preferment Is to be given the place of
chief of labor. do not know who this
man is. His name is held In confidence
by those who know II, but IL is said
with assurance by men who seem TO
know what they are talking about
that Mr.. Harding has in mind man
whose name will come as surprise.
but a name nevertheless which, the
knowing ones say. will be grateful to
labor and to the business and com
mercial interests of the country.
One of Mr.. Harding's close political,
and, as one might say, working
friends, tells me that as between three
men the President-elect does not know
whom to choose for the secretaryship
of the treasury. OF course these three
men are Dawes and Reynolds of Chi.
cago and Mellon of Pittsburgh. The
friend of the President-elect did say
this much definitely: To-day Mr..
Mellon has the edge on Mr.. Dawes
and Mr.. Reynolds, but nevertheless
there is seemingly little TO choose as
between the chances of Chicago and
Pittsburgh"
What They Say About pauoherty.
While Harry NJ. Daugherty is one
Of the names which can be erased at
a late hour from MIR. Harding's slate
without subjecting the eraser to the
charge of bad faith, II still is taken
for granted by all the 'high ones" IN
Washington that this Ohio gentleman
Is certain to become the next attorney
general Of the United States. II may
not be uninteresting TO set down one
of the views of some Of Mr.. Harding's
friends concerning this probable ap-
pointment.
Every one of the President elects
close advisers admits that because of
personal relations. friendship and in
debtedness for loyal service, Mr.. Hard
ing is In duty bound TO give Mr..
Daugherty what he wants, but never
theless the intention to make Mr..
Daugherty attorney general has
aroused some criticism. What Mr..
Hardings friends wanted him TO do
was to appoint somebody else as at
torney general. presumably George
Sutherland of Utah. and to make Mr..
Daugherty solicitor general. II this
suggestion had been followed, or
should be followed, Mr.. Sutherland. so
Mr.. Harding's friends argue. could
lave been put on the Supreme bench
after the lapse Of few months. and
then Mr.. Daugherty could have been
promoted from the Office of solicitor
general to that of attorney general.
Many Changes March 4.
The changes that are coming in
Washington on March 4 will be
marked and many. and they will vary
with various scenes Of activity.
In the two houses of congress there
viii be almost revolutionary changes
ou;o<essence