The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-18
.LOWDEN DECLINES
 ID BE CONSIDERED
 AS HEAD OF NAVY
Destination Leaves Blank in Harding's Cabinet Slate Which May Not Be
 Easily Filled
By Associated Press

St. Augustine, Fla February It. President-elect Hardings cabinet prob lem developed another difficulty today when Frank O. Lowden former gover- nor of Illinois and 8 leading candidate for President at last years republican convention. sent word that he could not permit himself to be considered longer for Secretary of the Navy.
 The former governors definite declina- tion left a blank in the cabinet slate which may not be readily filled. Al- though he had indicated before that he did not desire the appointment, MT. Harding and his advisors had stood pat and counted on change of mind to make selection. As result, they now begin sorting over a considerable list of other men mentioned for the navy port folio. Wherein choice may fall is re- garded as the most uncertain question left in the whole cabinet situation
 In asking that his name be erased from the tentative cabinet list MT. Low den wired the Presdent-elect that his personal affairs made it impossible for him to enter the public service at the present time Thus he removed himself , also from the field of possibilities for l diplomatic appointments, with which his , name had been linked many times in speculation close to the President -elect. NO RIC HUN ENIDEN(E ! Whatever inside story may have been behind Mir. Lowden's action, there was no outward evidence at Mir. Harding s headquarters that serious friction had developed regarding it. The President elect himself expressed extreme regret at the development saying he held the former governor in high regard and hoped ever since election to bring him into the service of the government. | It iC of ba ,act Lowden supporters at the Chicago con- vention have brought influenceN to bear for Mir. Lowdens election to the secre- taryship of the treasury. 6 post now understood to be virtually awarded to Andrew Mellon of Pennsylvania Others sought his appointment as ambassador to Great Britain or France.
 It is considered likely that in casting about for an available man for. the navy portfolio. MT. Harding will give particu.
 lar attention the qualifications of tn,
 southern republicans now being put for
 ward for cabinet honors. It is under
 stood this possibility was discussed by
 him today with National Committeemar
 Pert from Kentucky.
 POINDEXTER URGED
 As Pacific coast representative 1T
 the cabinet circle, the qualifications O
 Senator Miles Poindexter of Washington
 to be Secretary of the Navy have beeI called to the Presdent-elect's attention
 and he also has received recommenda
 ticns for several members of the Hous'
 naval committee. In the first reaction from the Lowden declnation, however there was no evidence that even MT Pert or MT. Poindexter were under SC
 rious consideration.
 The navy problem and available candi dates for the portfolios of commerce ant . labor, the only others which have no
 been virtually awarded, were talked ove at length by the President-electt oda. with Harry M, Daugherty of Ohio, hi . former campaign manager and one of hi closest political advisors.
 , MT. Daugherty, who is expected to b the next Attorney General, will remai here for several days.
 Along with the cabinet situation, Nil
 Harding is giving considerable attention
 to appointments he must make early |
 his admins tration for membership on tn i, interstate commerce commission and tn . shipping board. He is known to regar
 these two bodies as holding particu
 larly important missions at the presen . time He has talked over the railroa , problem with a number of prominent rail v road men and today he heard advice O the shipping situation from I. Parke
 Kerlin, a New York attorney. A wa , to get the transportation lines back [ : normal earning basis has been the sub i. ject discussed by the railroad men wh
 have come here, though it is understoo j, that few of them have recommended q : increase in rates