, 1921-10-21
SELECTING QUALIFIED PERSONS.

The people Of the country, and the Republican
party, aside from n few impatient applicants for Of
fee, will be content with Mr.. Harding's deliberateness
in selecting persons to fill public office. None of his
appointment has aroused criticism as to ability to per-
form the duties for which they have been chosen.
Each member of the cabinet has been eminently. sue
cessful in his private business. In filling positions of
lesser Importance, but often requiring scarcely less
qualifications the president has been equally success
full in bringing to the public service officers who have
demonstrated fitness by achievements in private en-
terrrise.
The same policy has been followed in filling such
positions as district attorney, United States marshal,
register and receiver of land offices and postmaster
ships. In carrying out consistently his determination
to put efficiency into public service, Mr.. Harding has
quite naturally been slow in making some of the ap-
which always follow a change of admin
istration. Because of this delay, he has been sub
jected to some criticism by those who are DESTROYS,
and properly so, of seeing the management OF public
business taken out of the hands of Democrats and
nut into the hands of Republicans.
It is safe to assert that not one in ten of the peo-
pie of the country care a rap who fills the government
positions just so the occupants give prompt, efficient
and courteous service. Since service is the supreme
requirement, and the individual Of little relative i'm
portance, it is a cause for COMMUNICATION that Presi-
dent Harding has taken all the time he deems neces-
sary to conduct the sitting process which brings to
the surface the men best qualified.
Quite likely every position subject to presidential
appointment could have been filed within n week
after Mr.. Harding was vested with power. There
were not only applicants enough, but the applicants
could undoubtedly qualify SO far as party loyalty and
service are concerned. Immediate changes could be
fully justified by the overwhelming Reputation of the
Democratic administration at the polls last Novem-
Der. But Wholesale changes in haste would unques-
tionably have resulted in many mistakes which would
have meant public dissatisfaction and injury to the
public service.
The Republicans of the country expected and have
a right to expect that administration of public af-
fairs will be transferred to Republican,. The Demo
cratic administration was notoriously inefficient and
wasteful and was made a ready agency for the propa-
cation of socialistic doctrines. Democratic o~ffcehold-
es aided in the effort to commit this government to
W - rrt nnsrI and n n fir ah1ka
at the polls. It is not only proper but desirable that
the whole complexion Of the government be trans
formed so that it will be a nationwide influence for
the strengthening of those policies which the people
of the country supported by their votes.
This end should be accomplished, however, without
hasty and ill-considered action. Good service to the
nation is the great desideratum, and, this ~accomplish-
ed, the party will be strengthened in the estimation
of the people.