Evening star., 1921-03-30
PRESIDENT SEES
SEEKER Of POST
J. H. McDermott, One of
Leading Candidates for In
ternaI Revenue Chief.

Joseph II. McDermott of Morgan
town, w. Va. who is looked upon as
one of the leading candidates for
commissioner of internal revenue. was
introduced to President Harding to-
day by Senators Davis and Sutherland
of West Virginia. The two senators
have been urging their candidates
appointment since presenting his
name to the President more than two
the Presidents suggestion that they
bring Mr.. McDermott to the White
House that he might talk with him
personally
On their way out the two West
Virginia senators said their interview
with the President was very salts
factory" although he made no
promises. 1t is understood that the
entire West Virginia delegation in
Congress. as well as a number of
other states. are behind Mr.. Nc
Dermott.
Prominent in West Virginia.
Mr.. McDermott. who is one of the
republican leaders in his state, was
Senator ElkinS campaign manager
aid took an active part in the last
national campaign. " hiie president
vi lIlt west NlTSlllla S''!.sItt. IAt' WTclt
the prohibition law tor the sata as
ii was adopted. and also the one pro-
vldlng woman suffrage for the ats.
1t is understood that the President
is giving much consideration to this
important post and il is not believed
he has reached any definite conclusion
in the matter.
Dr. Randolph Hersey of Wheeling.
W. Va, prominent in politics in the
western part Of that state. who accom-
panied the delegation to the White
House this morning, is a candidate for
appointment to the public health service.
Other Visitors.
The President today had a short chat
with Henry White, former ambassador
to France and a member of the Paris
peace commission. The latter called on
the executive simply TO pay his respects.
He said he will sail for Europe within
a few weeks for a short rest.
Charles H. Burke of Pierre. S. D., once
chairman of the House Indian COM
mttee. and who has been urged for ap-
pointment as Indian commissioner,
called today on the President.
Col. Washington Gardner of Mich
igan called on Preident Harding to-
day before going to the pension bu
reau to take the oath of office and
enter upon his duties as commission
companied to the White House by
Brig. Gen. John Glenn, L. S. A, retired.
After expressing his appreciation for
his appointment Col. Gardner dis
ing his new office. He said afterwards
that he had no plans to discuss at
present.
Lauds Dawes Committee.
Appointment of the special commit
tee TO make an inquiry into the ad-
ministration of the war risk bureau,
the board for vocational training and
\ -
impaired service men generally is an
admirable manner of meeting the
present problem of relief for the vet
Grams, according to Gen. James A.
Drain. department commander for the
District of Columbia of the American
Legion. He feels certain that this is
the start in the right direction. and
said the President is to be compli-
mented for this step and for the
caliber of men and women he selected
to serve on the committee. He is con-
WINGED that this inquiry will clear the
situation, and that the findings will
surely enable Congress and the ad-
ministration to fix upon a policy for
the future comfort and welfare of the
disabled war heroes. 80.
Gen. Drain, said he called on the
President to extend his good wishes
and to personally thank him for his
interest in behalf of the soldiers.
Gen. Drain also told the President
ex-service men to. important positions
dealing with Rehabilitation work,
when all other matters concerning
the candidates for appointment are
considered to be equal. He stated that
he was opposed to officers of soldier
organizations seeking federal Offices
during their terms of ofice.
Representative Cooper Calls.
Representative Henry A. Cooper of
Wisconsin. who is a member of the
commission on reclassification of fed
eral employees, was a caller at the
White House today. He said he knows
that the President is interested in. re-
classification and will want to know
the details concerning the investiga-
tion conducted by the reclassification
commission. He said reclassification
OF employees is naturally in direct line
with the Presidents idea of reorgani-
zAtion of the government departments
and bureaus TO curtail duplication of
effort and to increase efficiency,
While he did not discuss reclassif1ca.-
tion with the President today, he ex-
poets to do so soon.
Senator Jones of Washington TODAY
urged the President to appoint former
Senator Samuel H. Piles of Seattle as
ambassador to Chile, and B. NJ Sam
mons OF Takoma as minister to China,
The latter is at present United States
consul general at Melbourne, Aus