Evening star., 1924-11-19
MAY GET
PLACE IN CABINET
Seen as Likely Choice as War
Secretary in Event of
Weeks Retirement.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
Gen. John ]. Pershing. recently re-
tired chief Of the general stan OF the
United States Army. may be Secre-
tary Of War in the reorganized Cool
idge cabinet after March 1, 1928.
There is nothing savoring Of a cam
paign on Pershing's behalf. Presi-
dent Coolidge himself has not broached
the subject to the general and is not
likely to do so unless John w. Weeks
expresses a desire to retire from the
cabinet. But in the event that con-
siderations OF health. or any other
reason, impeI Mr.. Weeks to return to
private life, Gen. Pershing Is bound
to be seriously considered as his sue
oessor. The President has tust desig-
mated Pershing to be the Special am
bassador of the United States at tho
Forthcoming centennial OF the battle
OF Ayacucho In Peru.
Cen. Pershing's selection for the
Peruvian mission-a semi-diplomatic
representation-illum the many
sided qualities of the commander Of
the American Expedittonary Forces
in France. That is to say. Pershing
is far more than soldier and able
military administrator. The constant
exigencies of his Job overseas con-
verted him into an experienced diplo-
mat and executive. He would bring
to a cabinet portfolio talents and
background not equaled by many. II
any. of his predecessors at tho War
Department.
Would Break Traditf0n.
Inclusion OF Pershing in q new
Coolidge cabinet as head OF the War
Department would break with tho tradi-
,tien that only civilians. or. at least,
should occupy that post. a number
Of Civil War retesans for longer or
shorter periods were Secretaries OF
War. Ulysses g Grant was Secre-
tary Of War under President Andrew
, johnson from August, 1867, until
February. 1868. John M. Schofie1d
served for q few months under John
son in 1858 as chief OF the War De-
partment. In 1869 William Tecum-
sch Sherman was President Grants
Secretary of War for a period Of six
weeks. Russell A Alger was Nc
kinley's first War Secretary. Perish
ing would be the first Regular Army
officer to be promoted more or less di-
rectly from the military esta blish
ment to the War Department.
Apart from the all-around merits
OF executive experience and diplo-
matte skill which Pershing would
t.,
friends frankly would like to see
him made Secretary Of War for at
least one important military reason.
Pefshing has devoted himself since
the armistice to building up the ctti-
zens' military training movement and
the Officers Reserve Corps. Both Of
these institutions are virtually his
creations. They are prospering, but
their supporters believe that to carrv
tHrnnPh fn M
plete success they must be developed
around sentimental personality like
Pershing
Legion Wanted Psr>hInG.
The American Legion wanted to
make Pershing its national COM
mander and probably would take him
for life. 1t is Itself . hearty sup
porter of citizens training and would
see IN Pershings appointment to the
war secretaryShip y guarantee that
the movement would be fntensively
ana Systematically propagated
fershlHg was placed on the re-
tired list on September l3. 1924, be-
cause he had reached the statutory
age of 81. But there's not an Army
ofncer in the early fiftics who is in
better physical shape or more mem
ta1y alert in any respect than
BLACK Jack" Oficers who know
Pershing intimately say he has at
least eight more years OF virile serv-
Ice in his sturdy frame. They reflect
the views of large body Of Amer
lean citizens who feel that under the
circumstances, 1t is an indefensfbIe
waste of national resources" to let
John j. Pershing devote himself to
the duties of the Battle Monuments
Commission. or tour South America
ira
occasions. or otherwise lead a more
or less decorative life.
Anxious for HarH Work.
The general himself is VIGOROUSLY
anxious for hard work He has Just
returned from a flying visit to his
son Warren, at school on the shores
OF. Lake Geneva, in Switzerland, look
Ing and feeling ais sound as a West
crp cowboy. Secretary Weeks Is
anxious for the retention of Per-
shIngg's services In some active role.
Jt gis about a year ago that the Sec
reeRry introduced bill in Congress
providing for the keeping of Per
shfng on the active list for at least
another year. The bill was never
taken out of the military affairs COM
mittees Of the two houses 1t was
said that some of the enemies Per-
Slsing made in France, in the ruth
less pursuit Of duty. were ready to
XIII the bill if it ever reached the
floor of House or Senate But IL
Calvin Coolidge wants the counsel,
Experience and professional skill of
"'Black Jack" in his cabinet, few
authorities think any Senate majority
could be found to reject the nomina-
dion of the American soldier who on
Snore than one historic occasion, nut
lloyd George, Clemenceau and the rest
of the supreme war council their places