Evening star., 1925-08-12
MANY NAMES ADVANCED.
New and Work Suggested for Cabinet
Raises.

Renewed indications that Secretary
Weeks will retire as head of the War
Department were followed today by
preparations in several quarters here
to lay before President Coolidge the
qualifications of various potential can
didates for the vacancy.
1t is likely that great number OF
names will be submitted to the Presi-
dent by Senators and party leaders.
Mr.. Coolidge is expected to look into
the qualifications of all of these avail
ables and others of his own choice
before he makes his decision.
The first question he will have to
decide is whether to go outside his
present cabinet in naming his new
Secretary of War. Among the pres
ent cabinet members are two whose
names always have been held in mind
in such tentative consideration as he
has given to the matter.
Secretary Work, as head success
sively of the Post Office and Interior
Departments, has made an admins
trative record of which Mr.. Coolidge
thinks highly and has some knowl
edge of Army administration through
his service in the World War. Post
master General New, a Spanish War
veteran and a former member of the
Senate military committee, likewise
as man of demonstrated fitness for
the war portfolio.
Objections Raised.
Some of the Republican leaders have
pointed out to Mr.. Coolidge, however,
that a shift of either Mr.. Work or
Mr.. New to the War Department
would, by creating another vacancy,
make it necessary that two members
Nf h.a or,tif +nI Enin e., i1r- i,,
stead of one would have to learn the
particular ins and outs of the official
machinery placed under their care.
1t is emphasized. too, that neither the
Interior Secretary nor the Postmas-
ter General Is seeking a transfer.
Among those outside the present
cabinet, Charles D. Hilles of New York
is conceded to rank high among the
availables, but one influential section
Of the Republican leadership in Wash
ington will strongly advise that the
President look to the West to supply
the cabinet appointee. Western Sen
ators have a number of names they
want to present.
The apparent conviction of Mr.. Weeks
that he cannot return to his post is a
source of much regret among many
officials in Washington, but of genu-
inc qualification among many of his
several friends. Some Of his closest
intimates here have strongly advised
him not to undertake again the seri-
Gus duties which during the past four
years have overtaxed his strength and
gradually depleted his health.
Butler Mentioned.
With Mr. Weeks withdrawal, the
Presidents home State of Massachu-
setts will lose its representation in
the cabinet, and one suggestion heard
today was that Senator William NJ.
Butler of that State, now chairman
of the Republican national committee,
might be elevated to a place in the
official family of the President. Should
such an appointment be made, Mr..
Butler probably would become Post
master General, a post held by numere
Gus party chairmen in the past, and
Mr. New transferred to the War De.
partment.
In the opinion of some Republican
leaders here Mr.. Hilles may eliminate
himself from consideration in order to
remain active in New York State
politics. His name has been men
toned in political gossip here regard
ing the Republican gubernatorial
nomination in 1926, and there have
been some indications that he would
be acceptable to a powerful group of
New York party leaders.