New-York tribune., 1921-11-02

upon him that he would recognize no
groups or classes in appointing the
Big Four" it was generally assumed
that he would be compelled for prac
tical political reasons to recognize
these groups in some other way, and
when 1t was announced that there
would be an advisory committee most
OF the political observers thought the
way was very clear.
1t was admitted at the White House
that qualifications other than sheer
ability to advise were considered. Geo
graphical considerations forced the
size of the advisory committee up from
the original intention of twelve to
twcntyone. Then it became desirable
TO add the three assistant secretaries
o. the state, war and navy departments.
A little geography even figured in the
selection of the women, the Northwest
being recognized by the appointment
OF Mrs Thomas G. Winter.
reasons. or because they represent
large groups of citizens, are all recog-
nized as of outstanding ability, and
there is also the highest praise on
every hand here tonight for the four
women elected. Mrs. Winter is declared
by men from her own state, Minnesota,
to be one of the ablest women in the
country. Mrs. Edison displayed marked
ability during the campaign last year
in California, her native state.
The keen insight into Far Eastern
affairs, notably conditions in the Phil
ippines. which will be of the highest
Importance at the approaching confer
ence, displayed by Mrs. Eleanor Frank
lin Egan in recent articles in a weekly
publication, has attracted much atten-
tion in diplomatic and Administration
circles in Washington. Mrs. Egan, in
relationship with the British in the
Near East and the very high regard for
her felt by high British army officers,
will add something more than knowl-
edge to the advisory committee.
The value of a brain like that of
Herbert C. Hoover's to the advisory
committee is self evident, but the ap-
pointment shows the purpose OF tie
Administration to make this committee
real effective agency in working
toward solution of the problem to be
confronted, rather than d method of
smoothing over sore spots engendered
by other actions of the Administration
notably in refusing to recognize classes
or geographical lines IN selecting the
Big Four"
Willard Salisbury, of Delaware, is
like George Sutherland, a former Sena-
tor and former colleague Of President
Harding on the Senate's Foreign Rela-
tions Committee. He is one of the
four Democrats on the advisory com
mittee. President Harding is warm
personal friand of ex-senator Sauls-
bury, and came to have high regard for
his knowledge of international affairs
his breadth of view and his real diplo-
matte ability during their service to-
gether.
The other Democrats are Governor
John NJ. Parker of louisiana who was
elected on the Democratic ticket, al
though he ran for Vice President on
the Progressive ticket in 1916; Samuel
Gompers and Charles S. Barrett
The appointment of Mr.. Gompers, OF
course, is considered more as recog-
milton of union labor than of the Dem O.
cratic party. The naming of John j
Lewis also is recognition of union
labor, while the naming of Charles S
Barrett, in addition to being a recogni.
tion of the minority party, gives 3
membership on the committee to ar
important factor in the Farmers Union