The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-02-07

than whom there is no more independents
minded individual in public life today.
There IS no anticipation that under hIs
auspices the department OF state will be
turned upside down, for political purposes.
There IS every expectation that the per
ennial effort to put the diplomatic and
consular service on an efficiency, instead
of a political basis, will at last be real
lied, Tor Mr.. Hughes isn't the kind of Il
man who would listen to the pleading OF
politicians or the whisperings OF ambi-
tious Job hunters. The mere fact that "A
man who occupied position on the SIT
pTeme court of the United States and a
man who was himself within a few eec-
tOral votes of being president of the
United States should preside over the
department OF state Is counted upon to
bring prestige to the department and con-
vey an influence OF quiet dignity and firm
ness in the despatch of business with for
eign diplomats and statesmen, both here
and abroad.
Then there is the secretaryship of war.
John w. Weeks, former senator from
Massachusetts, is very wealthy man and
therefore has no reason to cater To any
interests for future gain as Is so often the
case with the official who looks upon his
position either as a stepping stone So
cially or as an opportunity in future bus
mess or the pursuit OF his profession.
John Weeks showed his independence
when as a member of the senate, he broke
away from his party and voted with the
Democrats in favor of the present federal
reserve act. He admitted that there
were imperfections in it, but he said he
could not vote against it because he be
lieved there was plenty OF good IN the
measure. Most of the Republicans at the
time took party view OF the matter and
voted against the bill. Mr. Weeks knows
official Washington and government meth
DDS. 1t win not take him long to familiar
ize himself with the war department.
Frank .. LOwden as secretary OF the
navy Is another piece of good luck for
Mr. Harding The navy department has
staff of naval officers who control ma
val operations, but the head OF the de
partment must know something of bust.
ness methods, for the disbursement OF
many millions of dollars in economical
fashion is the task of an administrator
and not necessarily a naval strateglst.
Mr. Lowdens record as a business admin
istratOr in Illinois was such that he sat
listed the Republican party as a whole and
he probably would have been nominated
at Chicago and elected to the presidency,
himself, but for the miXup over the use
of money to get votes IN the convention.
Senator Albert Il. Fall of New Mexico
who becomes secretary of the interior, IS
one of the ablest men in the senate, an
indefatgable worker, and a tlTeless stu
| dent of government. He knows the West
and its hopes. He knows the political game
and its diplomacy. He will be able to
deal with congress for the Harding adj
interior department. Like Franklin
Lane. so may Mr.. Fall prove to be the
utility man of the cabinet.
Henry G. Wallace of Des Moines, Ia,
IL termed by his admirers IAN outstanding
! Christian gentleman" He has fayed the
azine. The packers tried hard to dis
lodge him, but Mr.. Harding stood firm. He
trusts Wallace and will follow his guidance
| on matters agricultural. and Wallace, who
! as editor of the farm periodical which
bears his name has been dispensing agri
have a splendid opportunity to practice
what he has so long preached.
lis said the portfolios of commerce and
labor are undecided. As for the individ
uals who will occupy the chairs in the
department of Justice and the post -oflicC
Will II. Hays-the offhand comment OF
| many viii be that politics dictated the. Sc
| lections. Perhaps-but many a cabinet
would have been better off with few po
litical minds. Mr.. Daugherty can sense
the public pulse accurately and VIII
Hays has a reputation for organization
that will, it is hoped, relieve many an
irritation and many a trouble over the
mail service of the country.
Mr. Hays never hestated to spend
money to get results. lie can De couhIeu
upon to spend money in the government
service for the best interests of the coun
try He's that kind. And the fact that
he has been active in politics will be q
help, rather than handican to Mr.. Hard
ing, for both he and Mr.. Daugherty will
be alert to the changes that will be de
manded from time to time by a public
opinion of ver-increasing power. Mr.
Daughertv may not have the reputation
of a Wickersham, but he is by no means
a mediocre citizen. Anyhow, the solicitor
general argues cases for the government
The attorney general must be a careful ad
ministrator and man who knows how to
exact work out of other men. Harry
Daugherty can be depended upon to dc
that Critics may have their fling, but
Mr. Harding has picked a cabinet tina
will work as team and viii try at least
to render service to him and the country.
Chess HhArk@r@