Evening star., 1921-04-03
BY WILL T.. REMEDY.
HARDING'S avowed
determination to draw Vice
President Coolidge more init

- determination to draw Vice
President Coolidge more init
mately than anys other Vice
President into the administration coun-
scils, coupled with the plans of the ad-
ministration and of Congress for reor-
SANITATION of the federal establishment.
has led to considerable speculation re-
carding the brpadened field of activity
for the Vice President
The proposition has been advanced
that in the reorganization the Vice Pres
'ident might well be made a general
manager for Uncle Sam. in much the
same way that a vice president in any
great corporation frequently is the gen
eral manager At first glance this would
seem to merit serious consideration but
those advisers of President Harding and
of Congress who have given the subject
the closest study point out that there
are very serious objections to attempt
ing such a thing that would have to be
tovercome.
Objections to Manager Proposition.
The objections as they have been pre-
sented to those who are formulating re-
organization programs are as follows:
First The Vice President is a consti-
tutional officer and it is very doubtful
whether these duties could be thrust
upon him. unless he would be willing to
accept them. One Vice President might
be willing and another might not be
willing. One might consent and the en-
tire government system be built up on
his assent. only to have his successor
refuse and the entire system fall to
pieces.
Second. The Vice President is not Sc
lected with any reference to his special
ability as a general manager for the
biggest business in the world-Uncie
Sans workshop. 1t would, therefore,
be a matter of accident whether he
could fill the position of general man
ager acceptably. Even if he had the
ability it fs stiIl a question of personal
reaction whether he was interested in
the subject or not to make it a success.
Third. The Vice President already has
duties as presiding officer of the Sen
ate which mortgage the biggest part
Of his time.
Fourth. The Vice President is not ap-
pointed. and therefore not subject to
control by the President. In fact. he
might represent distinct wing of
the party, from the President. having
beer selected in an effort to keep
peace in the party.
Fifth. Making the Vice President a
general manager would tend to divide
respohsibhitys between the President
and the sHce President. The budget
system al worked out and approved
by Congress charges the President
with responsibility as general man
ager.
Target tEisure in Government.
Of COURSE. if the Vice President were
an appoihfive officer of the govern
ment. and so subject to the President.
he could be assigned to, duties as a
chief of staff. and the situation would
be entirsTy different The President
would then be responsible for every
thing the Vice President did. But un-
Ger the existing conditions the Presi-
dent would not be responsible in any
way for what the Vice President
might do.
However. those very students of
government and advisers of the ad-
ministration and of Congress who
have presented these arguments
against the proposed assignment to
the Vice President of duties as gen.
eral manager for Uncle Sam empha-
size as an alternative proposition that
the largest possible use should be
made of the Vice President in an ad-
visory and consultative capacity by
the executive. rather than in an ad-
Ininistrative capacity.
So that the essential distinction is
that the Vice President is likely to he
come larger figure in the federal
government. not by being made to fit
in as a cog in the machinery but tc
'be used as extra eyes. ears and brain
hy the President. 1t is for such
larger and more important service
that President Harding has already
proved his intention to use Vice Pres
ident Coolidge-to become a real con
suitins partner in the business of
government.
The Harding administration. ac-
cording TO those in the closest conf
dences and designs of the White
House. is planning to enlarge the
work and dignity of the Vice Presi-
dent in these three ways:
First. as a general consuIter. sit
ting in with the cabinet on ques-
tions of administration policy.
Second. an informal counselor,
assisting the President in political
appointments. and TO represent him
on certain occasions.
Third. as an aid to the President
in securing cordial and cooperative
relations between the executive and
legislative branches of the govern
ment in putting through the legis-
lative program.
This must come, those who have
!. been giving close study TO the prob
lem say, through a personal adjust
ment between the President and Vice
President. They point out that
President Harding has taken the
initiative along these lines and that
the Vice Presidents characteristics
and training have well fitted him to
be a valuable confidential adviser
As Presldent's Counselor.
. Vice President Coolidge is already
recognized as valued counselor in