The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-10-30
Our WashingtonLette
National Editorial Association Spec
ial to the Herald

T.
the confidence publicly expressed b.
the leaders of all groups as to the
Q outcome of the elections next weel
can dissipate the haunting spectre Of
: change which hovers over Washing
ton. 1t was not until this. week that
those in public life awakened to a
full realization Of the situation. No
matter how the pendulum -
= will bring changes to Wash
.ngton more than any other commun-
ity for here the nations activities
are conferred.
Ii you chat with the men and wo-
men holding minor positions. it be-
comes evident that every change is a
cause for uneasiness to those now
favored Of fortune. They tell you
tnat whatever candidate wins the
presidency, it will mean new faces
and new ideas in all government de-
partments.
Assuming for the purpose Of illus
tration Mr.. Coolidge is the victor
at the polls, it is pointed u tina. he
viii drop his role of trustee for the
Harding Administration and select
his own advisors. This means. in
turn. that the so-called "higher-ups7
will be removed to make way fo~ the
new Cabinet members friends You
must reward men in politics by ap-
polntment to posts of honor or allow
them to designate the patronage
wlsch falls to the lot of the winner.
If Coolidge won, it would be up
to him to do the gracious thing with
the present Cabinet The story is
circulated in inner circles here that
only Acknowledgements Stone is sure
OF holding his job after March
fourth. The question is asked what
will become of Mellon, Hughes and
Hoover, the big three Of the present
Cabinet" If the prediction of this
timer circle" can be accepted on
their face value at this time, these
C~abineteers will be honored by Mr..
Coolidge by re-appointment and with
their standing thus made clear to the
political world, the mighty trio, it is
assumed will retire to private life
and make way for new men. We are
also advised that these men have sold
themselves to the country by actual
service and at considerable personal
sacrifice. They will be glad to sur
their titles with the knowledge
Of a deed we'll done though not al
remembered.
1t is limited that MI. Stone is the
only personal selection of Mr.. Cool
.dge and aside from his friendship
as a college companion of the Presi-
dent, has given strong indications to
make good in his official job. The
underground story says that.
Bascom Slemp will relinquish his post
IS secretary to the President and that
William Butler has changed his mind
about giving up the reins as chair
nan Of the Republican National
committee. With these prospects it
S small wonder that the hundreds of
public officials dependent upon pat
are concerned over the dis
ribution of political plums.
1t is conceded that in event Mr..
Davis wins the Presidential race or
Indirectly it is handed to Gov. Bryan,
hat the present list of Federal office
except where protected to
ONE extent by the Civil Service
avs, would be thrown out, bag and
'aggage, to halt the clamor for re-
Yards. The same would hold true
or Mr.. LaFollette and those now in
know it would be of little avail
o expect retention of appointees of
administration. Roughly, the
bove digest represents the fears and
opes of official Washington of to-
ay as they wonder what the ballot
will decide.
Aside from the election hubbub,
ne departments are having their
roubles The Treasury Department
uncertain as to the publicity fea-
Ires Of the income tax law. 1t
GEMS that Congress is so indefinite
nd ambiguous in framing laws that
lie taxpayers must pay for the errors
E their legislators. At least, the
ontroversy as to what Congress in
ended has provided a good livelihood
n hundreds of lawyers and cost
:countants here.
At the Federal Trade Commission
'nsiderable i'll feeling has developed.
hose with their ears close to the
art Of things say that the Com
i%ssioners are at odds as to methods
trust-busting and the publicity
1t was only yesterday
Iuesday) that the Commission made
Iblic a report dismissing the COM
amt against lumbermen on the
Coast. Commissioner Thomp-
n refused to agree with the ma
rity and filed a long dissenting
inion. The Federal Trade Com
ssion has been a source of trouble
all Administrations because of its
ethods. Recently, it was charged
political bias in making public