The Washington times., 1921-02-23
HARDING BUSY
ON HIS SPEECH
With Cabinet Practically Closed,
President.EIect Gives Time
To March 4 Address.
BY GEORGE X. HOLMES,
Int~rustIoaai News servtes.


ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, Feb. 20.
Having put the bulk Of his Cabi-
net worries behind him, temporarily,
at least, President-elect Harding
planned today to devote the biggest
part of his remaining time>in Florida
TO preparation of his inaugural ad-
dress, now but eight days from de-
livery.
LEAVES FOR HOME SOON.
Only four real working days remain
of the Presiden mt elects vacation In
tho South. He will probably start
North the hrst of next week, and from
then until he is inaugurated he VIII
be so on the move that there VIII De
little time for uninterrupted work.
Senator Harding has masses OF data
on most OF the subjects which he
will touch upon In his address. These
have been left with him by visitors
and some OF the advisers with whom
he has conferred during his months
sojourn In the South. II Is not ex-
pected that Senator Harding VIII at
tempt to 20 deeply into the interna-
tional situation in his address. leav-
ing that to be dealt with at a later
time. probably in a special message
to the sixty seventh Congress which
will assemble early in April.
CABINET IS CLOSED.
SO far as surface indications point
in st. Augustine. the Cabinet Is closed
up. There is one possible exception
that of the Labor portfolio for which
James j. Davis. of Pennsylvania, ana
illinois, is the foremost candidate.
1t was learned today, however. that
friends of James Duncan, OF the
Granite Cutters, who comes from
Massachusetts, have increased their
efforts in his behalf and IL there is
a change between now and March
In the Cabinet which Senator Hard
ing has tentatively selected, 1t Is be-
lieved 1t will most likely take place
in this department.
The labor portfolio has been the
most bitterly contested place among
the ten. Labor leaders and union
heads have Wed one another with in
sisting upon the appointment of this
or that candidate and many OF them
have protested against Davis selec-
ton on the ground that Davis has
been out of labor executive ranks so
long that he can no longer be con-
sidered a labor appointment"
KEEPS OWN COUNSEL.
Senator Harding has listened pa
tiently to these arguments and has
kept his own counsel here.
Herbert Hoover's appointment as
Secretary of Commerce is regarded in
St. Augustine as settled. despite de-
malls made by the former food ad-
ministrator's friends IN the North tha at
he would not enter the cabinet.
Senator Harding himself while he
has not officially announced that his
cabinet Is complete, nevertheless con-
siders his labprs about finished. He
recognized, however, that in the next
eight days conditions may arise which
would make changes necessary. In
talking with callers recently the
President-elect recalled that most OF
his predecessors have had eleventh
hour difficultis and have been forced
to make shifts at the last minute.
Senator Harding said he had been
told that this was true particularly
Of the Roosevelt. Taft and Wilson
administrations.
Literally scores of amba assa dorial,
diplomatic and other appointments
have had to be held in allegiance un-
til the Cabinet was out of the way.
with that virtually accomplished now,
it is expected that the President-elect
can begin to consider seriously for
the first time the men whom he will
send to important posts in the for
eign capitals.