New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Members To Be Selected
Solely With Regard to
Their Ability to Give
People Good Service
Hert or Hays May
Lose Out in Race
Senator Abandons Idea of
an Early Announcement
for the Important Posts
From q stoo Correspondent

NAHUM, ONlo, Jan. lS.-ITeS1QenC-
elect Harding said with emphasis to-
day that no member of his Cabinet
would be selected because of party OBJ
LEGATIONS and without consideration
FOR the best service to the country. It
was believed here that among all the
men presented as Cabinet material this
statement would cause the most dis
turbing reaction upon the hopes and
ambitions Of Will H. Hays and A. T.
Hert
During his meditations in the Florida
Jungle, which begins Saturday, it is
believed by some who are in Mr.. Har-
ding's confidence that either Hays or
Hert will be eliminated from the Cabi-
net slate. At the moment Hays's
chances OF survival appear shade
better than those of Hert, because the
Kentuckian's rivals are more formid-
able than those of the National Com
mittee chairman. Ex-Governor Frank
0. Lowden, for example, is said to be
Mr.. Harding's choice for either Secre-
tary of the Navy or Commerce. Either
place would satisfy Hert Hays, tenta-
lively, is slated for Postmaster Cen
eral.
Early Announcements Abandoned
In discussing this afternoon the con-
siderations that would weigh with him
in selecting his department heads Mr..
Harding confirmed reports that he had
changed his mind about announcing
two or three Cabinet appointments in
advance of comp'eti Of the admins
trative organization.
II had thought originally" said the
President-elect, "to name two or three
: Cabinet places in advance in order to
permit the parties named to take up
Informally the work that is to be
theirs But have found it so difficult
to fit in an administrative organization
that am not disposed to make definite
tenders and have men accept until |
myself have made up a complete or
ganization.
There is no semblance Of any
marked drive either for or against,
either in support of or in opposition
70 any individual. There are the natural
current of both political and personal
recommendations and the natural
cross currents of personal, Individual
and factional opposition. 1t is all
normal and does not keep me awake
nights.
~ am thinking all the time of get
ting an organization best fitted to
serve this country. am a partisan.
believe in party government. | am
gong to have a Republican Cabinet.
hus no selection will be made because
Of party obligation without considera-
.ion for the best service of the coun-
-Four Political Candidates
Former Senator Weeks, of Massa-
shuse,ts; Harry Daugherty, of Coln,n-
Gus. Ohio; Hays and Hert are four
men whose claims to places in the
natalng Cabinet are based on political
Indebtedness. But Week combi
VIII. WIN this an excellent record in the
Puolic service, as we'll as the friend
snlp Of the President-elect. Daugh-
snys situation is even stronger be-
ssuse OF mis- close personal relations
=. s''n senator Harding. But the friends
" nays and Hert in advancing tn h~ir
ssu.s nave been forced to rely chiefly
H. a. .ae argument that they have served
u, 1t is highly improbable that Mr.
tha.alng would take Daugherty on the
npe'a'eooat cruise down the Indian
Aver, a,ss., which begins Saturday, from St.
f;scCsTne, Fla, If he planned to float
~. naolhet ambitions. Daugherty, his
ple-convention campaign manaoer ia
s,s man IN whom Senator Harding is
ras,I sIn 70 place unbounded trust. But
i.sr iI...nsr hays nor Hert will be on the
harding Discountenances Rumor
Cincinnati paper published a story
~ 49,. mornings ago, illustrated with q
tss.a.e tssse of Hays, which stated posi-
I'eis mat Hays had been selected to
r., i.oas'master General, also that he
- .se hrst man to be appointed to
1 a.. .soinet Senator Harding inquired
1 49,. -. mat story to-day. He said it
y hin. 'a0Se II was al news
., 70 like to know how they found it
/, IT, ne said, because I don't know
L.l;s., although they have it 'authori-
/, .aea simply proves that Hays isn't
Ms Cabinct-yet.
.ussa~ sHe~r Harding may alter his mind
= ,s..s.. s.s ABOUT the announcement of Sec
xs o. state, but there is every rea-
ts.:o % believe that he has finally de-
r., t".nea au's, that his task Of Cabinet max
~" WI be infinitely lighter il he
4 e.. 2 single announcement Of the
''Sef nine places.