The Washington times., 1922-07-09


AA ernment and adopt the
British parliamentary system?
Periodically that question 10 raised
fn washington. debated for Q
WINE, the pros and cons consid-
cred. and then It IL put in cold
storage. to be brought out again
when the dog days arrive or the
executive department is dissatis-
fled with the siowness Of Con-
gress in doing what the executive
branch has recommended.
They have revived the talk Of
g1vinx members Of the Cabinet 4
seat in Congress. I do not gather
whsther the Cabinet minister is to
have one seat or two. II he is to
be able to explain to both SEN
ators and Congressmen. 1t viii be
necessary TO initiate the example
of Gov. Bob Taylor. Of Tennessee.
A gentleman called to see the
witty executive, and, upon presen-
tstion of his card. the gracious
governor said:
..Have . seat. Mr.. Shelby"
The visitor had Introduced him
:, self as Mr.. Shelby, of Pulaski
county. He thereupon added:
"Governor. am the SON Of your
cid friend, Colonel Shelby"
take two seats. Mr.. Shelby"
aid the polite Tennessean. Il
wANTED. sUPERMEN.
y,tsIf q Cabinet officer II to be able
10 explain to both houses the pro-
visions of the legislation he recon-
. fnends he win have to be q two
headed MANN fact. three-headed.
for he must be able to attend to
the executive duties Of the depart
/, mont over which he presides ana
! attend Cabinet meetings. with all
ne responsibilities incident there
unto, and he must be on call to
address both the Senate and the
! House. II he can servo well In an
these capacities, We shall have an
answer to the universal demand IN
Washington-enough supermen 70
hold all the Cabinet Jobs.
4. sI am often impressed" said
,Prssidsnt Wilson. with the recon-
lmsndations made to me for POSI-.
tions of trust Ny caller or corrs-
/, spondent win enumerats the quail
sies which tr~ person to fiji the
-position under consideration must
tpossess. When he has finished I
IND that he must possess all the
Z virtues and an the wisdom and all
ths discretion TO fin the place.
And when I turn to ind such .
! man, he does not exist. Only Q
superman would have what Ii pre-
scribsd - the essential qualities
,fpr fitness"
X Another Chief Executive, when
q caller enumerated the capacities
!, o man should possess, replied:
~Yeu are mistaken In suppo1ing
yeu want Q man for the job. What
200 are calling for b q God"
QUICKER ACTION DEMANDED.
There are certain distinct ad-
vantasss, theoretically. In the
British system. where members Of
the cabinet serve In Parliament
and are required to explain al the
tsgisistion d-5ired, the reasons for
~, and successfully navigate the
/. insasurs through tbs rapids Of
parliamentary debate or fan cut
and appeal 70 the country. II
inaees for quick action upon 90
'lcasion, and that n the appeal Il
makes to many thoughtful Anert
Enns. And there - argument for
quicker action than II possible
under the American system
s;.In 1910 the American people by
IN overwhelming majority rspu-
dated the Payus-Aidrich tarfff law
and the Taft Administration. but
! under our. system Of government
not enc step could be taken toward
the repeal of that taxing law and
sths other policies which had been
rsbuked at the polls. Indeed, un-
DER our antiquated system . men,
ber Of the House Of Representa-
ttives elected at . November cleo
!. don docs not take his seat until
thirteen months after he 10 elect
Z "a unless the President calls an
extra session Of Congress. This he
d not likely 10 DO in order to carry
cot the mandate Of the people.
Instead OF that the new House Of
m opposite political party knows
that II It passed q bill to repeal
fhs measure the people have dis
approved either the Senate will
2 sidetrack II or the President will
veto Il. Tho result Is q stalemato
/. for two years. a. we had in 1s11.1s.
J NEITHER WOULD HAVE LOST
!, ! It was moro than two years after
! the people demanded tariff revision
Before Il could be successfully
sundertaken. All that time was