Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-01-08
U.S.. Anxiously Waits
Developments In The
European Disagreement
HARDING SEEKS
CABINET MAN
Hoover too Wrapped up' in His
Work-JOhn Hays Hammond
Mentioned For Job.
Rv Isaac Gregg

| Washington, Jan. o.
Harding is finding it difficult task
to find some one capable ct h'llng
the position of Secretary Of the Inter
ior to succeed Albert b. Fall, when
the latter retires from office on
| March 4.
With the announcement Saturday
bv the President that Herbcr1. Hoo
ver Secretary of Commerce Will not
accept the transfer from the mead
of the Commerce Department 10 that
of the Department of Interior con-
siderable speculation is centerei on
the names of several prospective nom
ineeS. 49,.
II was explained in declining the
offer to be transferred to remain at
his present post in order that certain
activities mapped out by him might
be successfully concluded.
II was further explained that a.
the time the President offered me
Commerce portfolio to Mr.. Hoover
lust prior to the formers inaugura-
ton. Hoover accepted the tender
with the announcement that ne was
determined to make the Department
of Commerce "real Commerce De-
nartment." 1t was stated at the
White House following the coIIer-
ence between the President and w
Hoover that the latter recalled thiS
statement to President Harding ana
declared that he was Of the same
mind ard determination today and
did not wish to be transferred 10
the Interior Department.
The official announcement IRON
.he White House sets at rest All
speculation regarding the possibility
Of Mr.. Hoover being chosen as Sec
retarv Falls successor. He has been
nersistently mentioned in this con
pection by the unoffiial Cabinet max
orc since the announcement OF See
retarhv Falls retirement next March
With the elimination of Secretary
Hoover from the list OF posslpi!t,eS
speculation is now centered cnle'iS
nnon the name of John Hays Ham
mond Chairman OF President Hard
ing's Coal Fact Finding Commission
F,,;ends and associates nj RepreScn-
tatiye Frank w. Mondell, Of WON
;np whose long service in the House
expires March 4, are also eXerthg
every influence to have him appoint
ed as the successor TO Secretary
Fall II is not thought likely, how
ever, that the President will tHaGe ,1, up
his mind about Secretary ran
successor for some time.
No reports have been received at
the State Department with reference
10 tha reparations situation nor have
onv indications been Dr.hcomn&
any of the Allied governments as TO
their attitude concerning the sugges-
lions which have been sent out by
the United States with regard 10
tbe appointmert of ar international
commission of economic and financial
exner-ts TO handle the reparations
onestion in case of the failure on the
part of the European nations 10
agree upon plan of settlement.
1t was stated that the government
expects some developments m the
Situation between now and January
TX +he date on which the next repa-
rations payment from Germany falls
1ue. There is no likelihood, however
according to official advices, that
| Germany will be able 70 meet her
navment on this date. In such event
the threat of France to start a
movement into the Ruhr Valley is
being watched with the deepest IN
terest bv American officials.
If such a contingency should arise
the attitude of this government win
resnect to thu ZOO American trooins
now on the Rhine would have to be
detremined. 1t was declared that NJ,
orders Wat tevpr have been issued
from the War Department with res
nect to the Rhire troops to Ma1"r
Henry T. Allen. in commend OF the
American force there ard that there
bes been no change in the situation
so far ss the American troops ore
concerned. The whole matter de-
nends npon the DEVELOPMENTS winch
ara looked for between now and me
date fixed for the meetir@ "f tne
next rerarations pav'nent RON TER
many. In the meantime. the Amer
lean Government is piaying waiting
game.