Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-14
CONFLICT Of VIEWS
ON NEXT CABINET
''Best Men," Regardless of
Politics, and ''Party Con-
troll" Divide Advisers.
By ROBERT n. SMALL.

MARION. Ohio. January lin ap-
preaching a final decision as to some
of the more important members of
his cabinet Senator Warren G. Hard
ing has had to listen to much conflict
ing advice. There has been Il play of
influences between those who believe
that cabinet should be made up of
the very best available men regard
less of political affiliatiop and those
who contend that government func-
tions best when party control is made
strongest.
There is much ground for the be-
lief that the latter forces have made
the deepest impression upon Senator
Harding, although there is still the
likelihood that the cabinet as actual
ly constituted may contain one o: ;wo
men who will not hold themselves
cipline. For the greater part, however,
the cabinet will be made up OF de
serving" republicans.
Soon after Senator Harding was
elected the report spread abroad that
he would put democrat in the cab
met Senator George Chamberlain of
Oregon. who unexpectedly met defeat
in the earthquake of November last.
was most often mentioned for the
place.
Democrat Not COnsidered.
Senator Harding had not long settled
down to the making up Of preliminary
cabinet slate before it was discovered
he had no thought of naming u demo-
crat The senator said he wanted the
best possible material. but he believed
this material was to be found only in
the republican party. This had been
the great contention i'm the campaign
that the democrats had shown no
capacity for government, and Senator
Harding, il he had ever given any
consid Grafton to the idea of appoint
ing a democrat. soon vas convinced
BY his party leaders that such course
would be "unhecoming." to say the
least.
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 zone man
rule" Leaders of the Senate were
largely instrumental in the selection
Of their colleague at the national con-
vention. and these same lesdefs have
been insistent now that i'll the selec-
ton OF cabinet Mr.. Harding shall
name men who will "go along" with
only a sense of loyalty to the repob-
lican party. but a sense of gratitude
as well.
These 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. Government is effective, they
say. only when certain policies can
be laid down by government leaders
and forced through by the cracking
Of the party whip. Students OF Ameri
can history will agree there is much
to this contention.
Wilson Experience cited.
1t is not necessary to go back OF
the first four or six years of the Will
the assertion. During these years
Mr.. Wilson controlled his cabinet. and
through party discipline hescontrolled
the democratic majorities in Congress.
AS result government was highly
effective. Let party lines be broken.
let discipline become lax. and gov
ernment falters. There must be no
division in the party councils. In
dividual views must be subordinated
to majority views. Senator Harding
has been searching therefore for the
type of men who will fit into such a
machine.
There is a strong desire on the
part of the Congress leaders at this
time TO cooperate 10 the fullest eX-
tent with President-elect Harding. but
they feel this cooperation might
easily be marred by the selection of
the wrong men for the cabinet.
New Drive On for Hert.
Party considerations have led TO
new drive being made for the ap-
pointment OF A. Tobias Hert Of Ken
lucky to the cabinet. Mr.. Hert's
claims are almost wholly political.
but he long has been popular in the
inner councils of the party. Harry
Daugherty's claims for cabinet con-
sideration are both personal and po-
litical. Will Fl. Hays. it is contended.
would bring to the Post Office De-
partment his wonderful gift of or
ganization. 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 assured of appointment.
Copyright, 1871