The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-03
By HOLLAND

New York, July 2--(Special.)-- This is one whale of a job" was the concise and colloquial form in which a member of the administra- ton at Washinton set forth to a friend in New York the difficulties which the administration has been and Is compelled to face. He was re fcrring to the impatience which has here and there been found voiced because the government and Con gress do not seem to be acting in such manner as would tend speedily to relieve the situation. He said that net any one who had been brought face to face with the difficulties which confronted the new adminis- traitor would have failed to be all most appalled, by them This mem- Der O. the administration in infor- mal conversation with 1is friend said that the public does not realize ana never will understand what a dread- full mess we found conditions to be when the new administration assumed control" He did not speak in this way in criticism of the previous ad- ministration. In fact, he said that there never would be good under standing of the almost overwhelming difficulties which confronted the ad- minl stration whose term expired on March 4. For they wers world dif- ficulties. They were occasioned by the war. If the new administration found what is spoken of as dread ful mess, this was chiefly due to dis turbances which prevailed the world over It is almost a wonder now the past administration lived through these perplexities.
 The state department is now con fronted with difficulties that prevail alt over the world. It Tust consider ori relation with Japan and also with Mexico. Pana,na and Costa R.oa furnished one pf the immediate difficulties. Central Europe adds to thtse difficulties. The Russian At- uat:on is also included In the num- Der of them. Never befora in the history of our nation has the state department at any one time been c II Jc nted with sN mahs NtIid tn- compa ssing difficulties as is now the case Seward, wLe ,",'r ctary or State, was compelled to face what seemed likely to be serious crisis de- 10 our rel .t'oi with Great BTU lin md France. 'Jne cf these ih- volved the hur,ing by diplomatic methods of tho French army from Mexico. But the desk of Secretary Seward was not loaded with dipio- matic matter affecting nations al over the world as has been the desk of Secretary Hughes. It was lm- possible, therefore, to move Wlth rapidity. It was the better part to make haste slowly.
 In the Treasury Department
 The Secretary of the Treasury, MI Mellon, found when he took oiiice bewildering problems made up ol many factors. The nation looked to him for recommendation for tax re- lief. It was imperative that there Be early handling of the dept or nearly eleven billion, which our al lies owe to the United States. There was the question of providing TOT the redemption of the Victory notes. The needs of the farmers, the stock men. the cotton growers ana olner industries were brought home 10 sec retary Mellon, because IL was WI dent that government aid or some sort must be secured IT reiei we.' to be obtained. There were thou sa rd and one minor questions for the secretary to answer. It was impos- sible. therefore, to act with the rapio itv which some critics have thought that the new administrator III ts treasury department could nave acted
 Mir. Hoover found mess Tn ms u, partment, due almost wholly 10 the exigencles which was caused py tne European war. The shipping board snag occasioned serious and frequen. study by the administration ana Y is only within few days Una. lne first steps have been taken to orins order perhaps at enormous oosr M, o
 of tbe shipping board chaos. mere ,s also the paramount railroad situa- ton. .,.ae oy inc aaro,nistration . that progress has been made and that within few montns many of the difficulties VIII nave been overcome. But 1t has peen ana is now as this member Of the aa I ministration said, all a very oiIh-