Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-07
UpheavaI, Under Calm Sur
face at Marion, Threatens
to Change Plans.
DELAYS VACATION TRIP
BEFORE INAUGURATION
Hughes May Be Asked to Make
Quick Decision-Senator Faces
Beginning of New Start.
BY ROBERT II. SMALL,
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.


MARION. Ohio. January while on
the surface everything has appeared
placid in Marion the last week, it can
be stated that beneath this calm sur
race there is an upheaval which
threatens to wipe out the entire tenta-
tive cabinet slate Senator Harding
has had in mind.
There has come what might be
termed a sort of cabinet cataclysm and
IL would seem to involve everybody
mentioned for offic--from Charles f.
Hughes down to Will H. Hays.
The Presfdent-elect today appeared
10 De as far away from a definite de-
clsion as to the membership of his Of
fetal family as he was three or four
weeks ago. All of this is due to the
fact that every time a man has been
mentioned for a particular portfolio in
the Marion dispatches that man has
been subjected to a bombardment of
criticism.
Critics Spare Hughes.
This criticism, it may be stated. has
not applied in the case of Mr.. Hughes
His selection as prospective Secretary
of State has met with almost univer-
sal approval. The difficulty with Mr..
Hughes is said to be that he has not
yet told Senator Harding whether he
will accept the post. 1t is not an easy
matter to pick Secretary of State.
The man desired for such a position
must be a man of affairs and before
entering the cabinet must nave time
to arrange those affairs 30 they can
be taken care Of while he is IN public
Office.
There is reason to believe an effort
will be made to get a decision from Mr.
HvtU fha 9TH h
the next day or two. and it is distinct
ly among the possibilities that MIR.
Harding may have to begin anew at
the very top of his slate.
Quite a bitter fight is waging over
what may be termed the proposed ''po-
and in this group would be included
Harry NJ. Daugherty, slated for At
torney General: Will H. Hays. slated
for Postmaster General. and A. Tobias
Hert of Kentucky, slated for Secretary
Of War, or some other post.
Harding Faith shaken.
Senator Harding had an abiding
faith in the human race until he began
the task of cabinet building. Since
that time his faith has been badly
shaken. He has been amazed at some
Of the reports which have reached him.
amazed that men can harbor SO much
of deceit and uftruth. He has been
amazed at the jealOusieS which have
been aroused. and. in some cases, at
the display of cupidity which has been
unfolded to him.
In short, Senator Harding is ex-
periencing already the troubles which
come to a President who desires to
do the right thing and give consid-
Grafton to every one. Mr.. Taft, when
he was here on Christmas eve. warn
ed the President-elect as to what he
might expect. Mr.. Taft was a center
of intrigue almost from the moment
his administration began. His good
nature was taken advantage of quick.
ly by those who would serve their
own ends. 1t is apparent that SEN
ator Harding's amiability may be
misunderstood by some persons, but
friends of the senator insist he can
arise in wrath when necessary and
deal firmly with those who offer Of
fense. Senator Harding is making no
secret of his disillusionment. He
mentioned it in brief speech to his
fellow Masons in Columbus a day or
two ago. and it is one of the reasons
difficulties have caused postpone
ment Of the tentative date for de-
parture from Marion. and it is said
now 1t will be the goth of the
month or later before the President
elect leaves for Florida for a period
of much-needed rest. and for the Sc
clrsion he desires while preparing his
inaugural address.
Wants to Dispose OF 1t.
It is certain Senator Harding de-
sfres to dispose of the cabinet compli-
cations before his vacation starts. 1t
would not be much of a vacation if
he were subjected to a continuance of
the present pulling and hauling.
Political enemies are attacking
Daugherty, Hays and Hert,
while cattle raisers and packing inter-
ests are centering strong attack on
Henry Wallace, slated for the post OF
of Agriculture. Brig. Gen.
Charles G. Dawes of Chicago. slated
by many for Secretary of the Treas
ury, and told by Senator Harding to
hold himself in readiness for cabinet
service in the event draft should
for the position, but friends Of other
men have been insistent that they be
given a hearing.
Dawes Likely to BE Chosen.
It loomed today as one Of the possi-
bilities that Gen. Dawes may be made
Secretary of War, instead of being
placed at the head of the Treasury
Senator Harding has
lust announced he wants in the War
Departm a civilian who has had
military service. Gen. Dawes fits the
bill precisely, ana MS banking aOlllty
would make his advice in the cabinet
valuable on all subjects of
fnance. Gen. Dawes has SO much in
his favor he seems to be one of the
lew cabinet certainties, although he,
.oo. has been affected by the up
neayal to the extent that his particu-
ar position in the cabinet is in doubt.
Charles Dewey Hilles of New York
s being strongly urged again for the
Treasury portfolio.
Senator Harding walked slowly to
MS little Office this morning, to take
IN anew the puzzling problems which
confront him. AS stated in a previous
1ispatch, the duties of the presidency
already are heavy upon him.
Copyright, 1921.D
expect HAYS TO TAKE POST.