Evening star., 1921-02-28
REPUBLICANS KEEN
TO BEGIN TASKS
Harding's "Hands-0ff" Pol.
icy Gives Cabinet Heads
Rare Opportunities.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Consideration in all their dire de-
tails of the woesome problems
prophesied as awaiting the new ad-
ministration might almost suggest to
the incoming President and his pros
pective cabinet regret that the repub-
licans won the election to shoulder all
these troubles; that they ought to be
sorry they were born. Strangely
enough, however. they appear to be
showing alacrity, not to say down.
right cheerfulness. in rushing to meet
their fate.
The problems divide into three
classes. and the load will be dis
tributed in it's handling. They will
be administrative, legislative and in
ternational. 1t is manifest that Presi-
dent-eiect Harding has already sound
ed out his contemplated cabinet Sc
lections on departmental affairs. that
he has posted them on what he ex-
poets them to do at the outset, and
that for the time being he intends to
divest himself of thought and respon-
ments responsible for results.
"Hands-On'' Policy Adopted.
This will leave him free to devote
his attention to the broader executive
duties of his Office and enable him to
give attention to the first most ex-
igent business of it. the building up
appointive offices through the dis
pensation of patronage. Reports from
Harding headquarters, movable and
stationary as they have been from
time to time. have consistently agreed
that the President-elect has adopted
a policy Of hands off, by the execu-
tive to the greatest possible degree
with the administrative functions of
his cabinet staff.
1t is noted that the cabinet alloca-
tions have been made with a view to
placing the more important depart
ments in the hands of men who are
not only interested in the work, but
study to it. John w. Weeks, prospee-
tive Secretary of War, who has been
in Washington all winter, is thor
oughly posted on the questions which
will come before him in an admins
trative capacity. and as soon as he
takes Office will lay out a systematic
business mans campaign for effective
dispatch of business
Weeks Plans Big shnke-Up.
One big shake-up he is expected to
institute is over the status of war
supplies left over. This will not be-
it is said, with the idea of disclosing
possible irregularities, but to bring
some kind OF Oruer out OF a state of
chaos which is alleged to be causing
great loss to the government. Mr.
Weeks is essentially a business man.
and the War Department is now a
great business institution.
The prospective Secretary of the
Navy. Mr.. DENLY, will be so familiar
with the broader aspects Of adminis-
tration of the department that he will
need little tutoring when he figura-
lively mounts the quarter deck and
hoists his flag on his new command
His heart and soul will be in the
work, his friends say. and. the Presi-
dent can well leave to DENLY" for
the present all worrying details Of
that departments administration
Prospective Secretary of State
Hughes. according to Mr.. Hardings
declaration. is to have free hand in
his own department, although, of
course, this is not taken to mean that
Secretary Hughes will be expected to
formulate important first-chop inter
national policies without consultation
with the President and with republi-
can senators.
Fletcher to Handle Mexico.
The Mexican question will probably
be left to Undersecretary Fletcher for
initial handling and framing up. on
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