The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-19
AND KNOX
 W|N--MELLON SURE
 0F CABINET BERTH
Pittsburg Multi Millionaire and Close Friend of Pennsylvania Senators Seems Certain as
 Secretary of the Treasury
By ROBERT T. SMALL

St Augustine, Fla, February 1s.-(Spe- cial )-Senator Harding decision to ap- point Andrew w. Mellon, the multi-mil- lionaire banker of Pittsburg, as Secre- tary of the Treasury now may be said to be definite.
 As matter of fact, the situation has progressed to the point where Mir Hard ing is receiving congratulations upon getting MT. Mellon, man of such wide affairs, to accept public service. MT. Mellon, it is reported here, has been ne- gotiating for house in Washington.
 Mir. Harding is perfectly aware of the attacks certain democratic newspapers have been making upon MT. Mellon, but having satisfied himself as to the desir- ability of having Mr. Mellon in his of ficial family he has turned deaf ear to the partisan critics. The attacks upon Mir Mellon are having no more effect tlian those which have been leveied against Harry. M Daugherty of Ohio, who is to be the new Attorney General MT Harding may hesitate for long time before making a decision as to the va rious cabinet members, but once ne makes up his mind it is next to lmpos> sible to shake him.
 HE ISN'T HURTING
 MT. Harding's hesitancy to commit himself definitely as to the cabinet mem bership is shown by the fact that m the last four weeks only two additional de- cisions have been made. One of these was that Senator Albert Fall of New Mexico should be Secretary of the In terior, and the other is the selection or Mir Mellon for Secretary of the Treasury. This fact also shows how completely sen ator Harding has put official pusiness hi
 When the President-elect left Marion four weeks and more ago five cabinet positions definitely were settled. These were Charles E. Hughes for Secretary or States, Harry M. Daugherty for Attorney General, Will H. Hays for Postmaster General, John M. Weeks for Secretary of War and Henry C. Wallace of Iowa for Secretary of Agriculture. At that time it seemed Charles G. Dawes of Chi. cago would be appointed Secretary Of the Treasury despite the drive that was be- ing made for MT. Mellon by such influen- tial men as Senators Knox and Penrose.
 Mir Dawes has since stated that he would not accept cabinet position' anu it is believed here now that his decision in that respect is just as final as is that of former Gov. Frank O. Lowden of H. Iinois. who has written to Senator Hard ing in the friendliest possible manner asking that he be eliminated from consid- eration for any public service at this time.
 HAMMOND A PROSPECT
 When Governor Lowden was at Marion some six weeks ago he declared that his public career was at an end, but senator Harding was among those who believed the former chief executive of Illinois, and one of the most formidable candl- dates for the republican nomination at Chicago last June. could be induced 10 change his mind.
 The three cabinet posts which remained open for speculation are the secretary ships of labory commerce and navy. Tne elemination of Mir. Dawes and Governor Lowden, both of Illinois would seem to leave the way open more than ever for the appointment of John J. Davis as Sec retary of Labor. Mir. Davis generally has been credited as resident of Pittsburg, but as head of the Loyal Order of Moose he really is resident of Moose Heart, Ill, and his appointment virtually could be credited to that commonwealth.
 John Hays Hammond remains as for midable candidate for Secretary of Com merce, although MT. Harding has not committed himself in any way. The same may be said of A. T. Hert of Kentucky, for Secretary of the Navy. Mir. Hert has been in St. Augustine the last two days and has been in conference with Mir. Harding Being somewhat fond of having a little leeway, Mir. Harding is likely to kep these three places open until the last moment, not making any formal an- nouncements before inauguration day.