The New York herald., 1921-01-13
HARDING HnTSAT
TELLING CABINET
CHOICES WEEK
Shows Physical and Mental
WEAKNESS as Result of
Long Conferences.
THEIR END NOW NEAR
President-Elcct Prefers to
Have Inaugural on East
Porch Of Capitol.
PRAISED FOR HIS ACTION
Col. William Boyce Thompson
Discusses Economic Condi-
tiOns With Senator.

Special Despatch to THE NEW YoEK HERALD
MARION, Ohio. Jan. 12.--There was a
hint from Mr. Harding tonight that
he may have Cabinet announcement
or two within a week. In n brief con-
versation with the newspaper corre-
spondents no clearly revealed the
physical and mental WEAKNESS that
oppresses him as a result Of nearly
five weeks Of Cabinet worries and un-
broken conferences
During the conversation he let It be
known that he has made very few
appointments after this week, and
that his labors In Marion are drawing
to a close.
Mr.. Harding is gratified at the food
Of congratulatory' kilograms that have
come to him in response to his action
in causing the abandonment of osten-
tatious inaugural ceremonies. Hun
dreds of such messages have been
received-from Senator'S. Representa-
tives, college presidents and prominent
citizens generally. There is no ques-
tion that Mr.. Harding's course in put
ting down his foot on the elaborate
plans Of the inaugural committee met
the approval of the country
Despatch TO Senator Knox.
He telegraphed TO Senator Knox. the
chairman OF the Joint Congressional
committee. his satisfaction over the
prompt acquiescence with his wishes.
To Senator Knox he telegraphed:
"Your telegram received. I am deeply
grateful to your committee for It's action
In arranging for the simplest possible
programme for the inaugural ceremony.
II Is wholly pleasing TO me to take the
oath of office IN the Senate chamber II
such Is the decision of your coimittee.
However, 1 am not unaware Of a natural
and becoming popular interest In
Presdent-elect assuming his official OBJ
legations, and would gladly have the
simple ceremony on the east porch OF
the Capitol. weather permitting, pro-
vided II can be arranged amid such
facilities as are afforded without special
construction for the occasion.
81 do not forget that during the late
campaign which eliminated in my
election ] spoke frequently to the people
from the front porch OF my home, and
they were courteous enough to stand
end hear me amid accommodations less
comfortable than the Capitol steps and
plaza afford. II this seems mpracticable
to your committee II deserves no further
consideration. In abandonment of pub
lie expenditure and the end to all sug-
gestions Of individual outlay have put
g.. A..1
details Of oath taking which your COM
mittee deems best will meet my ready
assent"
Mr. Harding's message to the chair
man OF the general inaugural committee
was as follows:
''In discharging the inaugural commit
tee and sub-commlttees, please convey TO
the members my grateful appreciation Of
the unfaiiing consideration given to me
and the generous pestowal OF time ano
means In preparing an inaugural pro-
gramme. Though we are putting all
celebration aside, trust there will be
the same good will and good wishes In
the hearts OF all Washington and all the
country which were so genero usly made
manifest by you and all your aseo-
ciates."
Col. Thorn pson's visit.
Mr.. Hardlng's only visitor OF prom
.nence to-day was Col. William Boyce
Thompson. New York. Speculation as
regards the purpose OF his call turned on
the possibility that he might have recon-
n.ended both VIII II. Hays and A. T.
Hort for the Cabinet.
Col Thompson. who headed the Amer
lean Red Cross work In Russia for a
long period during the war and who was
enc OF the directors OF the Federal Re-