The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-10-02
National Editorial Association Spec
ial to the Herald
Washington the Center
of Political Gossip.

dSAliiS LOi, 0CpI. OO."lIlQQlIlG
received from various sections of the
country indicate that the people
want to know if Washington is ex-
%periencing the same emotions as
other communities which form the
backbone of the nation. Washing
ton has been aptly called "the whis-
pering gallery of the nation" for
here the Federal Government is To-
Gated and thereby centralizing, to
some extent, the political, social and
economic life of all citizens, The
war gave Washington a cosmopolitan
atmosphere, and it has been the
world capital since that time because
of the dominating position Of the
United States in international af-
fairs. With this exception the CAPT
tai city differs not a whit from
"Main Street" or the average Ameri-
can town.
Familiarity Breeds Les Majesty
Like n other community, Wash
ington revels in gossip, mostly of a
political or social nature. Being SO
close to the hub of things, those
living within the city do not attach
the Importance to activities of Off
Gals as those some distance away.
1t is merely a difference of perspec-
tive. This is the reason that a Con-
gresham or government office
holder looks bigger to the folks in his
home district. Recently, a new
m in Congress from the South
west became incensed at the failure
of people here to recognize his i'm
portance and suggested to his col
leagues that a bill should be intro
duced moving the Capitol west of
the Mississippi. His proposal only
made this uninitiated representative
the laughing stock of the House for
two years. More experienced legis-
lators know just where they stand IN
official life and govern themselves
accordingly.
cabinet Making"
With the elections drawing close
the most popular form of mental
activity is the formation of prOspec-
tive Cabinets for the next President.
Of course, it is somewhat premature
but people, as a rule, speculate on
everything. With the resumption of
the social season on a small scale,
Misunderstanding" is the chief topic
in the drawing room and at the club
houses. Whether one agrees with
the predictions made during a con-
v~ersation with high officials and
their families, the fact that a nota-
bic is the authority for a statement,
no matter how vague, always adds
a dash of color. In Washington, and
elsewhere, most people like to believe
that they have the "low-down" on
doings of the great men and women
whose names appear prominently IN
the daily newspapers. The fact that
information. relatively worthless, IS
given in strictest confidence height
the value to the confident. 1t
has a tendency to strengthen convlc-
because discussion might bring
doubts.
In Case of Coolidge
AS the imagination is usually en-
livened by conversation, much OF the
done on future Cabinets must be
taken with a grain of salt. Those
who anticipate the election OF Mr..
Coolidge expect several new faces IN
his advisory council. The tea-table
and golf course gossip is to the et-
feet that there will be at least four
vacancies. These OWNERS say that
Postmaster General New has out
lived his usefulness and may be sue
.eeded by Bascom Slemp, now secre- {
,ary to the President, or one OF the I
eading Republicans of the House. t
0+hers saw that the Coolidge cam
,aion w. M. Butler, will
ind a berth as the PING or Secretary {
# Commerce succeeding Hoover VINO (
6 looking for other fields to con- L
after recognizing his depart {
nent successfully. Over the tea l.
.ups they say that Secretary OF La
,or Davis will retire and make way
or another award. Trouble has fol
owed the Secretary of the Navy and
ONE expect Mr.. Wilbur to return to
lis law practice in California.
Disraeli, a wise statesman, once
aid that there is no gambling like
,olitics and nothing in which the
,ower of circumstance is more evl-
lent. No doubt there are thousands
f men who feel qualified and de-
CRYING of Cabinet posts and seek
he lob. There are others who de-
line invitations to this high honor
they know that Gin politics, merit
S rewarded by the possessor being
aised, like target to a position to be
ired at" Serving on a board of di-
ectors in the business field, a cap
BILE mar has a chance to defend |
Iimself but as a member Of the Cabi- |
let he is constantly under pressure
rom political sources The glory is
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