New-York tribune., 1921-02-21
Anti-Saloon League Joins
Friends of Dawes i'm OBJ
jecting to Pennsylvania
for Treasury Portfolio
'Teagle Strongly
Backed for NAVY
Labor Post Lies Between
O'Connor and Davis:
Harding Attends Church
From a stan Correspondent

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, Feb. 20.-A
weekend development of the Cabinet
situation was a resumption of the
fight on the proposed appointmen of
Andrew Mellon, of Pittsburgh, to be
Secretary of the Treasury. The Anti
Saloon League, resentful of Mr.. Mel
Ions whisky interests, has found
strong allies in the friends of Charles
Il. Dawes, the Chicago banker
President-elect Harding is in doubt
1T is said, about four Cabinet places,
Navy, Treasury, Labor and Commerce.
Western friends of Mr.. Dawes are
urging Senator Harding to draft the
A. f. F. brigadier into the Cabinet.
He has never had a formal tender Of
a Cabinet post, but was simply asked
If, in event of tender, he would ac-
cept- 1t is understood here that Mr..
Dawes grew impatient with this in
directness and declared fatty that he
wasn't a candidate for the Cabinet
In the case of Frank O. Lowden,
however, Senator Harding made over
lures three times before there was a
final and unqualified refusal to serve.
Dawes's friends, who in this case also
happen to be Senator Harding's
friends, are urging the President-elect
to invite MIR. Dawes in such a way that
his patriotism will not let him refuse.
1t is being pointed out to Senator
Harding that his Cabinet as it now
stands has little chance of making a
strong appeal for public favor, and
that the addition of Dawes would
strengthen it treme ndously, especially
in view of his war service. This argu-
ment falls on fertile ground for
Dawes really was Senator Harding's
original choice for the place.
Mellon Not Widely Known
Among the reasons advanced against
Mellon is the fact that he was un-
known in public way until few
months ago, and that despite his ad-
mitted ability as a financier his ap-
pointment wiil not command public con-
hdence. The principal supporters Of
Mellon are Senators Penrose and Knox
OF Pennsylvania. Harry Daugherty
also is understood to favor him
One curious fact about the Treasury
candidate is that if Mellon should be
appointed T. v. O'Connor, of New
York, head of the Longshoremen's
Union, would be appointed Secretary
of Labor. But if the appointment goes
to Dawes, James J. Davis, head Of the
Loyal Order Of Moose, will be appointed
to the Labor portfolio. This is be-
cau3e both Mellon and Davis are Penn
sylvanians.
n,,- -
stood, Mellon has been the only name
the Treasury and O'Connor's name has
been down for labor This week, how
ever, may see an abrupt switch to
Dawes and Davis.
Since the declination of Mr. Lowden
the Navy post has been wide open, with
only A. T, Hert mentioned as q candi-
date. The Hert appointment is unlike
ly, however, and Senator Harding is re-
ported to have listened eagerly to
suggestion that Walter C. Teagle, pres
ident of the Standard Oil Company en-
bodied the admin strative qualities that
he desires his Secretary of the Navy
to possess.
Hoover Tender Uncertain
Herbert Hoover, it may be stated
positively, has had no direct tender of
the Commerce Department. It has
been made clear to him, however, that
he is under consideration, and he was
recently asked if he was in a position
to accept if the place were offered. 1t
is not known how he replied. Senator
Penrose and other Senate opponents of
Mr. Hoover are leaving no stone un-
turned to keep him out of the Cabinet,
Senator Harding is being reminded al
most daily that Hoover is an unortho
dox Republican, and his many years
residence abroad are being suggested
as another objection.
Hoover's detractors have made little
progress with the Presidcnt-elect thus
far. Senator Harding is convinced that
the appointment of the Californian
would appeal strongly to all classes Of
women and most men voters. More
over, he believes he would make an ex-
cellent Cabinet officer, according to
some Of the Senator's confidents.
VIII Confer on Shipping
The President-elect and Mrs Hard
ing attended the Baptist Church here
to-day, in company WITH Mr. and Mrs.
(contnued on paoo thrce)