, 1923-02-21
II SoUkREST CITY
Without a Peer

A S a rumor factory Washington has it all over
"a the rest of the country. Rumor is largely meat
and drink to the denizcns of the national capital.
Without it they would languish and die. Very
frequently some of these rumors penetrate the hide
of Washington correspondents and later get on the
wires and reach the intermost reaches of our glor-
ious republic. Such n one is the rumOr that Frank
Mondell is to be made governor of Porto Rico to
succeed Z. Mont Reilly who has been unable to
maintain harmony in the domestic affairs in that
island possession
The rumor admits Nj. Mondell's superior suit
ability for the interior department vacancy in the
cabinet occasioned by the resignation of Secretary
Fall, but disposes of the matter by moving DIR.
Work over from the p~ostoffice department and
filling the vacancy thus created by the appoint
ment of Senator New of Indiana.
The manufacturers of rumor have scarcely
taken into consideration the fact that cabinet sec
~retaries are selected because of their special fit
ness to direct the department over which they rule.
They are executive heads of a great business not
merely political appointees. DR.. Work has done
very well as a postmaster general and he should
be retained to complete n work not by any means
completed-to place the p~ostoffice department up
on the basis of usefulness to the people, it &C.
cupied before Burleson jimmed it. AS an inter
Tor secretary he is in no sense qualified and in.
stead of adding lustre to the Harding administra.
ton he would be simply mediocre. That is not
what Republicans want and is not what they are
expecting ut the presidents hands.
The country agrees that there is only the one
man really fitted for the interior portfolio, among
all those favorably mentioned. He, himself, nor
his close friends would not urge the selection, be-
cause the appointment of a cabinet member is
rather a close and personal matter with the presi-
dent-practically taking n new member into the
family. But at the same time the country knows
and the president ought to know that by reason of
his executive ability, his training and experience
covering years and years, aside from all the other
qualifications required in such a position Frank
Mondell stands without a peer.
In contrast with the Wilson administration Mr..
Harding has displayed unusual discrimination in
anlectinp men Of high class and high character for
the public offices he has filled. 1t is the hope of
the party, and of the people as well, that he will
continue to select men of the same quality. And
the surprising thing about the successor to Senator
Fall is that there should be any hesitancy on the
presidents part as to who the successor should be
and the prompt announcement Of Frank Mondelps
name.
1t is conceded that the appointment should go to
n western man for the reason that the depart
ment deals largely with western problems. 1t is
believed the president acknowledges the business
of this view and intends to conform to it. In that
event no other name can occur that holds n higher
claim than that. Of Frank Mondell.
Mr.. MOndeIl would possibly make an excellent
governor of Porto Rico. He is possessed OF dlplo-
macy sufficient TO bring peace to our brethren in
that island, where local turmoil has obtained, but
the thing comes right back to the original PROPOSE.
tion, why waste a splendid secretary of the inter
ior on n job like the govcrnorship Of Porto Rico.
It doesn't take so great n man to make n good
governor of Porto Rico as it does to make a good
secretary Of the interior, and Frank Mondell is
primarily and essentially fitted for the interior.
His equal is unobtainable, while governors of
Porto Rico are numerous.
1t is not because Frank Mondell Is our own,
that We speak so highly of him, 1t is because We
could not say otherwise and tell the truth. Even
"pizen" Democrats will say the same things of
him.
We arc relying upon the we'll known Harding
judgment of men and fitness of things and await
the announcement of Frank w. Mondcll to be
secretary of the interior.