The Washington times., 1921-03-31
VIVA. MAY GET
REVENUE POST.
McDermott Has Inside Track
tor Commissioners lob to Be
Filled This Week.

A new Commissioner of Inter-
nal Revenue will be appointed this
week, unless all indications fail.
OF the two men most prominently
mentioned for the place, Col.
Joseph Henry McDermott, Of West
Virginia, and Col. Edward Clifford,
Of Illinois, it is believed that Col.
McDermott stand the better chance.
CONFER WITH MELLON.
Colonel McDermott. accompanied by
Senators Elkins and Sutherland, had
q conference. at the Treasury Depart
ment today with Secretary Mellon for
some time, and then Senators Elkins
and Sutherland left Colonel McDer-
mott alone with the Secretary. They
talked for about half an hour.
After the conference neither the
Senator's nor Colonel McDermott
would comment on their visit, saying
that anything for publication would
have to come from the White House.
: Colonel McDermott not only has
the backing Of the entire State dele
cation from West Virginia, but he
also has the support Of the Anti
Saloon League of West Virginia He
many years and wrote into the West
Virginia platform the prohibition
and woman suffrage planks. Senator
Davis Elkins, of West Virginia, is
backing him strongly, and has been
singing the praises of Colonel Nc
Dermott to President Harding.
Colonel McDermott mangaed Senator
Elkins' campaign for the Senate and
was also campaign manager for SEN
ator Elkins' father. the late Stephen
b. Elkins.
VISIT WHITE HOUSE.
Colonel McDermott. accompanied
By Senators Elkins and Sutherland,
visited the White House yesterday
and had a conference with President
Harding.
President Harding is being urged
to apopint a commissioner as soon
~ possible by Commissioner Will
Hams, who has held the office since
Commissioner Williams has notified
Secretary OF the Treasury Mellon
that 1t is urgent that some one be
appointed. even II only temporary.
He says that the work OF the bureau
10 being hampered by The fact that
the heads do not know how to pro-
csed with innovations for fear Of
embarra RAISING the new Commissioner.
II is also said that the delay is Sc
rfously injuring the morale Of the
large force. as there are constant
rumors among the chiefs Of units
and divisions that sweeping changes
are to be made. and they spend hAlf
OF the time discussing the changes
and the other half in working.
Commissioner williams Is anxious
to be relieved. Several OF his depu-
ties have resigned and he does not
want to fill them. preferring to leave
this work to his successor.
BEER SALES HELD Up.
Probably the principal thing that
the country Is interested in Is the
liquor regulations-particu the
beer regulations-which are being
held up pending the appointment OF
a new commissioner. Commissioners
williams said today that he would
not issue any more liquor regula-
tions. preferring to leave this feature
to his successor.
The post Of Commissioner Of In
ternal Revenue is considered a West
Virginia appointment by many. who
point out that in former Republican
administrations the post has always
been given to men from that State.
President Cleveland appointed Joseph
8. Miller. OF West Virginia. Nathan
b. Scott. who was later United States
Senator from West Virginia, held the
post under President Mckinley. and
John w. Mason, Of West Virginia,
held the post under President Roose-
.vsat In the last thirty years three
West Virginians have held the post.
Colonel C1iford's chances for get
ting the post are said to be somewhat
hampered by the divided politics OF
the Republicans in Illinois. 1t is said
that this same division prevented the
appointmnt Of Gen. Charles G. Dawes
a. Secretary of the Treasury.