The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24

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 PRESS ON MIR. DENBY
 Mir. Edward W. Denby's resignation from the cabinet marks the first tangible result oi the senate investigation into the naval oil leases Although few have ventured to say that Mir Denby had any guilty connection with the transactions, yet he himself made his official incapacity so obvious that 1t was a painful spectacle for the country to Wit ness. Perhaps the next step will be the resignation of MT. Daugherty, who, at the time of this writing, is going through with those denials of intention to resign which usually preface such a step. MT. Daugher- tvs resignation is doubtless much more widely desired than was that of Mir. Denby, for MT. Daugherty has long been popularly regarded as the exemplar par excellence ot Official ineptitude. Mir. Denbys incompetence, while only lately revealed, appears almost as pronounced.
 The analysis of Mir Denby's connection with the scandal is perhaps fairly presented by the New York World No $100,000 loan, all in bills, no $25O00 package of Liberty bonds, has been traced to Mir. Denby's door, and in the matter of the leases he played part subordinate to that of Fall. His friends might with greater hope of success appeal for sympathy in his behalf, as one rather more of g victim than a conscious conspira- tor, if he had not taken the preposterous course of defending what had been done and saying that in like circumstances he would again approve the leases. That folly left Mir. Denby in an impossible position. Even as he thus attempted to brazen out the sit nation the administration of which he was Still part was moving energetically to void the leases which he defended. And as indl- eating to what degree the people were aroused, even the senate, by a vote dividing both parties. had asked President Coolidge to rid himself of his maladroit secretary The World might have added that the chief argument employed in the senate in Opposi- tion to the resolution calling for the resig- nation was that the question was properly one for the president and not the senate to consider.
 In somewhat similar manner the Philadel- phia Public Ledger observes: "The country had turned against Denby. He was one Of the sgners of the leases now under fire. He had asserted he would sign the same leases again under the same circumstances. His was kind of helpless and stubborn de- rfiance. Few people believed he had been guilty of such acts as have been revealed in the case of Albert B. Fall. Nobody claimed he had received improper Inducements Men came to believe him incapable in his high
 
 ment, his political party and the administra- tion of which he was a part into disagree able situation
 A While approving of the Denby resignation, the Chattanooga Times proceeds to cast an Feye ahead, and declares: 1.-The next resigna- tion, perhaps, should be that of Attorney General Daugherty, who, though not charged with any part in the deal, was nevertheless the head of the department of justice and, f0r ha Of governmental transactions. It is reflection upon his department when the president has to go outside to get competent and disinter- ested attorneys to prosecute the governments suit against the evil-doers. MT. Daugherty is doubtless, innocent of any connection with the scandalous proceeding, but he appears to have been entirely too innocent for the good of the administration
 Even Republican papers do not attempt any defense of Mir. Denby. For example, the New York Herald says: Tt was clear that Mir. Denby's usefulness to the administration was ended. No matter how complete his in- nocence, no matter how high his motives in the transfer of the oil reserves, the country lacked that perfect faith which it should be able to repose in its high officials. It had no wish to see him condemned without the complete inquiry which President Coolidge has started. But it had lost confidence in him in a large measure"
 If the Republican press does not leap to Mir. Denby's defense, it may be said with equal truth that the Democratic press does not hasten to condemn him. Indeed, there is, on the whole, very little distinction to be drawn between the two newspaper divisions on the score of partisanship in this matter. As the Atlanta Constitution sincerely re- marks: There is an element of sadness at- tached to Mir. Denby's case. No man, during his long service in congress. had a cleaner record. But the people expect a jealous guardianship of their interests by public off, ficials who serve them, and whether guilty of crime or not, lack of proper regard on the part of one for that responsibility meets such storm of public disapproval that the further services of such an official are un- wise, for the usefulness of such one be- comes thus destroyed
 While admitting that ''it may be said in his behalf that his reluctance was inspired by his belief that his personal character was under attack" yet the New Orleans Times picayune thinks that "his voluntary with drawal should have followed without delay. Out of line and out of step with respect to a national issue of recognized importance, his prompt retirement would have displayed sound judgment, a graceful acceptance of the countrys wishes, a fair and courteous con alteration of the administrations wishes" However, it may be said for Mir. Denby that he probably remained as long as he did partly because of the presidents wishes.
 The Memphis Commercial Appeal, in a wig orous editorial, holds that "Mr. Secretary Denby should never have been appointed to membership in any cabinet. He may be hon est, but if he is, he is as gullbe as child. . Decent Republicans and decent Democrats have right to be governed not only by honest men, but by strong men, and woe this fall to any party that does not nominate such" Perhaps Mfr Denby might relish even a slight suspicion of guilt rather than to sui fer such widespread expression of belief that he is a man of mediocre capacity owing his position to political accident
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