Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-26
COLONEL MILLER
IN CONTEST WITH
COL. ROOSEVELT
Both Warriors Aspire to Position
of Assistant Secretary
of War.
MILLER SAID TO BE
LIKELY TO SUCCEED
Special Dispatch to Every Evening.

special iSVcIy tSs'hihks
Washington. Jan. 26.-Col. Thomas
w. Miller of Delaware and Col. Tbeo-
dore Roosevelt of New York are run
ming an intensive, but entirely good
naturcd race for the office of assistant
Secretary of War in the Harding ad-
ministration. So far tho race between
the two colonels is In the nature of "A
private contest, neither admitting that
he is actually going hot-foot toward
"A goal that he hopes TO reach in time
TO land the prize,
The Intimate friends of the two run
ners are quite cognizant of what each
hopes to- obtain and are watching the
rnce with almost feverish interest.
The New York colonel. IL is said here,
had hoped to land the higher prize,
but that is thought to be the sure re-
ward FOR services performed by former
Senator Weeks, of Massachusetts.
Moreover, Colonel Roosevelt has been
informed that he must not expect to
hold a more important post than was
held by his distinguished father at his
age.
1t is believed. Notwithstanding the
distinguished parentage OF Colonel
Roosevelt and the services he per
formed for his country in France. for
mer Congressman Miller has tho in
side running. Notwithstanding the name
of Roosevelt is surrounded by glamor
that does not enshrine the name OF
Miller. To Offset certain advantages
eptoyed by young Teddy, Colonel Mill
er has the powerful support of Sens-
tors New and Watson OF Indiana. lie
served with Senator New on the speak
ers bureau >f the Republican National
Committee, last year. and the two be-
came fast friends as a result OF their
experience in that work.
Ii is also presumed that Senator
Ball OF Delaware will be heart and
soul for Colonel Miller, and the latter
also has "A good deal Of valuable sup
port among members of Congress with
whom he served when he represented
Delaware in the House. Members OF
the military affairs committee in each
House are giving support to the claims
of the friends Of Colonel Miller that he
should receive the appointment.
on the other hand. Colonel Roosevelt
has the undivided support of Senator
Calder of New York. Thus far there
is no evidence 20 show where Senator
wadsworth would stand in relation TO
the youthful warrior. IL iH said Wads-
worth would like 10 see Congressman
Sanford of the Upper Hudson district
placed in the position coveted by the
two young co.oneiss~ Sanford was de-
tented by a Democrat in a district
which normally gives majority OF
ten thousand 10 a Republican candi-
date.
II is pointed out that President-elect
Harding failed 10 invite either Of the
New York Seators 10 confer with him
-, nd Watson
were in quite frequent conference with
him. This is taken 10 indicate that the
influence OF New York with the new
President will not he as powerful as
that OF Indiana Hence. il is argued.
strategIcaHy Colonel Miller is better
placed than Colonel Roosevelt.
In connection with the race IL is in
teresting 20 note that the American
Legion is taking no action Each con-
testant is prominently connected with
that organiza tion and they have won
the respect Of the rank and file. To
indorse either would be an insidious
act on the part of the Legion and il
is believed the difficulty will be solved
by the organization assuming the part
merely of spectator.
Colonel Miller and Colonel Roose-
welt recently came TO the city and en-
tered the marble room at the Senate
almost at the same time. This caused
almost at the same time. fThiss-, sic
some temporary embarrassment to
each aspirant for office. but they met
frankly and joshed each other in a
pleasant manner.
1t is possible the two may be put out
of the running by a third man. II
Senator Weeks becomes Secretary of
War. he may suggest his assistant
man from New England lie would
naturally have the support of Sena tor
Lodge. but whether Lodge world be
more influential with Harding than the
Indiana Senator is doubted by frisn Is
of Colonel Miller