New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-16
General Wood

president-elect Harding to urge the
,nc|usion of General Wood in the
aew Cabinet he was not only true
% the great tradition associated
with the Roosevelt name, but showed
rte friendship for the incoming
Administration.
4 great blunder will be COM
Mitted if advantage is not taken of
he seeming opportunity to identity
General Wood with the new Admin
issration. EveNts have conspired to
make him the most conspicuous req
resentative of what are known as
the progressive elements of the Re
publican party. These elements,
though having no desire to revive
forgotten ariinosities and being de-
sirous of heartily cooperating to
make the new Administration Sue
eessful, Of course must recognize
hat Senator Harding, though never
an extremist, has been of the other
wing OF the party. For him, under
these circumstances TO be uninind-
full, or to seem to be unmindful,
Of the claims and the sensibilities
If the whole OF the reunited party
eannot have a good effect.
Even though General Wood was
Aot acceptable to the principal man
ayers of the Republican organize
sion, nor as rule to those active
in party affairs, he demonstrated
his great strength among the Re-
Publican rank and file. In the Re-
publican primaries he secured ap-
proximately as many votes as all the
other candidates put together and
lad at Chicago the largest body OF
instructed and enthusiastic dele
rates. What would have been the
result Of a Presidential primary, if
one had been held, few have any
doubt. The supporters Of General
Wood constitute a force that wise
party leader will WOO rather than
afront.
The problems confronting Sena-
For Harding are not wholly dissimi-
ar to those President-elect Garfield
raced IN 1880 and President-elect
Harrison faced in 1888. Then, as
now. the nomination did not fall
10 the candidate having the largest
lumber of first ballot votes in the
convention. But the successful COM
promise candidate, later successful
IN the election, disregarded fac
! tlonalism ard did all in his power
70 placate and satisfy those who
had not achieved their first desire.
This was common sense. Senator
harding is likened to President Nc
hinley. Mr.. Mckinley, it will be re-
called, was most careful not to con-
Slder those who had opposed his
domination as punishable on this
account.
for other reasons it will be un-
fortunate if the President-eIect,
Welding to the pressures of narrow
ana thus dangerous friends, sur
POUNDS himself with men whose per-
sonal merits may be high, but who
AVE little prestige with the gen
Sfai public. One Of the things the
asople voted against in November
sas a KIND of administration which
asAed for mere agents rather than
W counselors and co0perators of
iuepenaent minds who by long
,ssslce had gained public confidence.
:, = ms campaign addresses Senator
s'seuing pledged himself to look for
assoclates and assistants who would
sauie With more than reflected glory.
NOSE pledges are not kept both
! 1s'ser and spirit the country will
sfavely disappointed.
- addition to being a representa-
ss man, as above indicated, and a
aa VINO has proved in many activi-
IL ms commanding ability, Cen
"a wood, Of all Americans. NAV
SAID to be the best fitted for
~, - post Of Secretary of War. A
'.'an soldier and soldier. civilian
aole to see both the profess
~. s' ana professional sides of
'sry problems. A learned and
II sss''enced man, he also possesses
~ ~ eourage-the courage to be
M as when others hesitate or evade.
sIss '0osn we'll knowing the preju-
ss aAe the srictions aroused bv
-