The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-15
HARDING CABINET
 CONTINUES PUZZLE.
 POLITICIANS BUSY
President-EIect Might Rise to Point Where He Would Se- feet Best Men for Places,
 Regulars Urge FeaIty
By ROBERT T,, SMALL

By ROBERT T. SMALL
 Marion, O., January as.-(Special)-In approaching final decision as to some of the more important members of his cabi- net, Senator Warren G. Harding has had to listen to much conflicting advice, There has been play of Influences be- tween those who believe that cabinet should be made up of the very best avail able materials of liberal affiliations ana those who contend that government fdnc- tions best when party control is made strongest.
 There is much ground for the belief that the latter forces have made the deepest impression upon Senator Harding, a- though there is still the likelihood that the cabinet as actually constituted may contain one or two men who will not old themselves subject to party control or party discipline. For the greater part. however. the cabinet will be made up Of deserving republicans.
 DEMOCRAT, MAYHAPS
 Soon af.er Senator Harding was elected the report spread abroad that he would put a democrat in the cabinet. Senator George Chamberlain of Oregon, who un- expectedly met defeat in the earthquake of November last, was most often men, ticned for the place. This reported inten- tion of the President-elect apparently grew out of broad views he took of the republican victory at the time and to the estimate that at least 40 per cent of the democrats this year voted the repub- lican ticket.
 Senator Harding had not long settled down to the making up of a preliminary cabinet slate before it was discovered he had no thought of naming democrat. The senator said he wanted the best pos sihle material but he believed this ma teral was to be found only in the repub- lican party. This had been the great contention in the campaign. that the dem- ocrats had shown no capacity for govern ment, and Senator Harding, if he had ever given any consideration to the idea of appointing a democrat, soon was con- vinced by his party leaders that such course would be .unbecoming' to say the least
 POLITICIANS OBJECT
 Senator Hardings nomination at Chi cago last June was determined upon by republican leaders who believed that as President he would place the party above the individual and bring an end to what they termed lone man rule.' Leaders in the selection of their colleague at the in the slction of thir colleague at the national convention. and these same lead CTS have been insistent now that in the selection of a cabinet MT. Harding shall name men who will "go along with the Senate, and who will feel not only sense of loyalty to the republican party, but a sense of gra altitude we'll
 One of the chief objections raised to Herbert Hoover a cabinet possibility is tine conter ton that the former food ad- Baifistrast,s owes ndthlpsS 10 the repub-, lican party and might as the head Of a great government department feel entirely independent of the usual party consider ations The same objections have been eve1ed in somewhat less degree at Charles Evans Hughes Senator Hard- s4 I. Tf,1rsx for the principles that cabinet should have as foundation stones three or four men whose selection should rise superior to their amenability to party influence and party discipline. The old politicians in the confidence of the Presdent-elect have not wholly subscribed to this view.
 APPLY THE ROD%
 The old politicians hold to the idea that the best administration of public affairs is possible only when party ties and party lines are most tightly drawn Gov ernment is effective. they say. only when certain policies can be laid down by gov ernment leaders and forced. brought by the cracking of the party whip. Students of American history will agree there is much to this contention
 It is not necessa ry to go back of the first four or six years of the Wilson ad- ministration for a proof of the assertion. During those years Mir. Wilson con-
 
 ciplne he controlled the democratic ma jorities in Congress. As result govern lnent was highly effective. Let party lines be broken, let discipline become lax and government falters. A machine is effective only when it is under control, and it is necessary to have great ma chine in the running of the government. There must be no division in the party counsels. Individual views must be sub ordinated to majority views.
 HARDING SEARCHES
 Senator Harding has been searching, therefore for the type of men who will fit into such machine. He realizes that the cabinet must do more than give colln- sel to the chief executive. Cabinet of ficers are in constant contact with Con- gress The executive branch is largely dependent on the legislative branch There is a strong desire on the part of Con- gress leaders at this time to cooperate 10 the fullest extent with Presidnet Hard- ing. but they feel this cooperation might easdy be marred by the selection of the wrong men for the cabinet
 Party considerations have led to new drive being made for the appointment of A. Tobias Hert of Kentucky to the cab- met. Mir. Hert's claims are almost wholly political but he long has been popular in the inner councils of the party. Harry Daughertys claims for cabinet consider ation are both personal and political Will H. Hays, 1t is contended. would bring to the poostffice department his wonderful gift of organization, and there are those who still contend this department is in need of reorganization. So as the time for the cabinet polls to close draws near, it would seem that this trio is as- sured of appointment.