The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-05
PANAMA WAR
IS CONSIDERED
BY HARDING
Hostilities Between that Coun-
try and Costa Rica First
Subject Before New Admin
lstratlon.
WEEKS IS SUMMONED

WASHINGTON, March 5.-Hostili-
ties between Panama and Costa Rica
was the first subject to occupy the at
tention today of the new administra-
ton. President Harding had a long
conference with his new secretary of
state, Charles Evans Hughes, regard
ing the situation. and they called in
John w. Weeks, the new secretary of
war, who had with him the latest dis
patches as TO the conflict, between
the Central America republics.
Before calling on the president, Mr..
Hughes discussed the subject at some
length with Under Secretary Davis
at the state department.. Henry P.
Fletcher, who is to be the new under
secretary was present at this confer
ence but did not accompany his chief
to the white house.
Hughes Silent.
When Mr.. Hughes left the white
house, he said there was nothing to be
given out; that he had discussed a
number of subjects with the president.
President Harding went to work
early today appearing in the execu-
tive offices a few minutes after 9
O'Clock and debating to a stenograph-
er for some time. He was accompan-
led to the offices by his father. DR..
George T. Harding and his brother.
DR.. George T. Harding, Jr.
The new president was up early and
had breakfast with his family. Early
callers at the white house included
Henry c. Wallace, the new secretary
Of the agriculture, and Herbert Hoov-
er, secretary of commerce.
Swear in Hughes
Hughes became secretary of state
at 9:53 a. m. today. He was sworn
in at the state department by Asso,
ciate. ~stice Day of the supreme
court. Other new cabinet officers
sworn in during the morning included
John w Weeks. secretary of war;
A. B. Fall, secretary of the interior;
James J. Davis, secretary of labor;
and Henry G. Wallace as secretary
Of agriculture.
! The heads of ten departments ua
+ der the Wilson administration had
closed UP their records and cleared
away their desks preparatory TO turn
ing over their respective portfolios tC
the men selected by President Hard
! ing as his advisers.
| The nominations OF all ten members
Of the new cabinet had been con
! firmed. the senate acting on then
yesterday after the names had beer
presented by Mr.. Harding in person
i Their commissions also had beer
signed, the new chief executive hav
ing attended to that as soon as ht
was able to visit the executive office:
| late yesterday
Mellon Sworn.
One member of the new cabinet
Andrew w Mellon, of Pennsylvania
the new secretary Of the treasury
took the oath of office yesterday a
the capitol soon after the conclusio io1
of the inaugural ceremonies. Chic
Justice White, of the supreme court
administered the oath to Mr.. Mellon
in the office Of Senator Knox of Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Mellon accordingly tool
charge of tho fina ncial operations o
the government on reaching his Office
at the treasury today.
Swearing in of the other nine mem
bers was postponed until today.
! More than half of the new cabine
members had gained a preliminar,
knowledge of the duties they are t.
undertake through conferences will
retiring members.