Evening star., 1927-09-07
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS


Wayne B. Wheeler wasn't destin ed
to hear in life the kind words being
heaped upon his memory, now that
he's left the embattled prohibition
scene. The field marshal of the Anti
Saloon League was far more accus-
toned to abuse. thrived upon attack,
and never allowed it to unnerve
him. Wheeler was calmness itself
under fire. Senator Jim" Reeds
heaviest shafts of cross examination
irony. when Wheeler was before a
Senate investigating committee
year ago, utterly failed Of their pur-
pose. The dry cZar kept on smiling
and parried Reeds insinuating ques-
tions with disconcerting nonchalance.
Wheeler was not unaware of the
power he welded in Washington. He
used to like to look across Capitol
Hill, from his office at its foot, and
discuss in terms of proprietOrship
the rock ribbed majority prohibition
commanded in both houses. Wheeler
concentrated. virtually TO the eXclu-
sion of every other thought, on his
life object--to keep the country dry.
He literally worked himself to death
in that cause. Money meant moth
ing to him except it's value for pro-
noting prohibition. He formerly
drew $4,000 salary from the Anti
Saloon League. 1t was raised to
$4,000 over his protest. He was con-
tent to know that secure niche in
American history is his.
Republican politicians now have two
nuts to crack-One, whether Coo1dge
will consent to be drafted; the other,
whether Hughes will run, If suffi-
ciently urged. Until the President
and his former premier themselves
settle matters beyond all question
one guess will be as good as another
The school of thought which believes
both Coolidge and Hughes have elimi-
mated themselves credits each of them
with too much Integrity to go back
on their previous statements. The
group which is persuaded that
neither Coolidge nor Hughes will re-
fuse a party summons argues that
circumstances alter cases in politics.
as in minor affairs. The contention
of this camp is that odium would at.
tach in no degree to the President
or to the New York jurist-statesman
If either decided, after all, to accept
nomination. One things certain-no
stone will be left unturned to induce
Coolidge to unscramble the situation.
Until he does. indefinite deadlock is
in sight for all aspirants Of the first
rank, except Lowden, who is already
in the field.
DIR. Julius Klein, whose review of
the commercial Renaissance" of Eu
rope is now attracting international
attention, is functioning as Acting
Secretary Of Commerce during
Hoovers absence in the Mississippi
flood district. Klein is highly amused
by the diversified comment his Eu-
ropean impressions have aroused.
One of the foremost American news
papers advocating free trade sees
classic vindication Of its theories in
Klein's reports on Old World eco-
nomic conditions. An equally ardent
champion of protection comments
that Klein leaves no doubt that the
United States must not relax an ad
valorem farthing of its customs tariff
system. The director of the Bureau
OF Foreign and Domestic Commerce
Is permitted to joy.ride in the Secre-
tary of Commerce's private automo.
bile while serving in his stead. Klein
claims it's the only perquisite he's so
Tar discovered.
** X
Another American citizen who's
helped to put an Old World country
on It's feet Is on his way home-Dr.
Arthur c. Millspaugh, who has just
completed five years of service as re.
generator of the finances and eco
| nomics of ancient Persia. DIR. Mills
paugh, when engaged by the Teheran
government in 1922, was a trade ad-
wiser and petroleum specialist in the
State Department. Persia gave him
| a $l5,O00-a-year contract and wide
| official powers, together with a resi-
| dence and staff. AS a result of the
| full sway he enjoyed, Millspaugh sue
ceeded in putting Persia's house in
order and leaves there full of honors.
| II Is understood he declined further
| period of service because the. govern
ment was not prepared to assign him
as free a hand as formerly.
| ~ n
Col. Oscar n. Solbert, U. s. A.. re-
tired, has just entered upon divert
! ing sphere of activity. When Solbert
a wartime American military attache