Evening star., 1928-11-14
Plans to Go to Capital Of Re-
public, Probably on Last
Stop of Journey.
COL. DONOVAN CALLS
ON PRESIDENT-ELECn
Next Executive Slips Away From
Newspaper Men to Make
Shopping Tour.
BY REX COLLIER,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.


PALO ALTO. Calf, November IA
Believing that Uncle Sam should lose
no opportunity to cement cordial re-
lations with his neighbor below the Rio
Grande, President-elect Hoover has de-
termined definitely to visit Mexico on
his forthcoming mission of good will to
Latin America.
This much decided, he was yet un-
certain today whether to place the
Mexican republic at the forefront or
the end of his itinerary in Central and
South America.
He has the alternative Of stopping at
Acapulco, on the southwest coast, on
the way to South America, and thus
making q Mexican city the first port
of call; or of putting in at Vera Cruz
on the homeward voyage. and journey
ing by special train to Mexico City.
Hopes to Meet President.
In either event he hopes to meet per-
sonally the President of Mexico and to
impress upon the people there that he
is sincere in the wish to engender good
feeling between Mexico and the United
States.
BY making Mexico the first or final
Latin American nation on his list of
countries to be visited, he will give add
ed emphasis to the importance he at
tacheS to Mexico's friendship.
His determination in this respect Is
believed to have been heightened by
press dispatches from Mexico City
quoting the newspaper Excelsior as Civ
ing an editorial warning that only
concrete acts of friendship can serve
to remove the suspicion and resent
ment in Latin American countries to
the United States"
It is believed here that the President
elect Is leaning toward the Vera Cruz
Mexico City program. It is pointed out
that there are transportation difficulties
between the Mexican capital and Aca-
pulc0 that are not present with re-
spect to Vera Cruz. It would be o COM
paratively simple matter to negotiate
the two hlndred-odd miles from the
Gulf port to the capital.
Mr.. Hoover, it IS Thought, Is espe-
cially desirous of meeting the American
Ambassador to Mexico, Dwight Nor
row. Rumor about the Stanford campus
has 1t that Ambassador Morrow is in
line for Secretary of State in the next
cabinet, and the meeting would afford
an excellent opportunity to talk over
such matters with the Ambassador.
Donovan's Appointment Seen.
The visit here of Col. william j.
Donovan, assistant attorney general,
also has strengthened the belief that
the attorney generalship Is virtually out
of the way as cabinet problem.
Col. Donovan, himself, declared that
cabinet appointments was not the sub
ject of discussion at his conference
with the next President yesterday after
noon. He said he came to California
on departmental business connected
with motion picture litigation, and that
he "juSt ran over" ITO pay his respects
to the chief
There seems to be no doubt that Col.
Donovan can have the justice post for
the asking, however. He has been
close friend and confdante of Mr.. Hoo
yer since wartime days, and was 9
trusted advisor during the campaign.
It is not thought, moreover, that the
President-elect is worrying about the
Treasury portfolio. He thinks 1t Is II
reasonably certain that Andrew Mellor
will continue to attend cabinet meetingt
after March next.
Speculation as to other members ot
the Hoover cabinet Is much more OF z
gamble. The name of Claudius Houston
of Tennessee is being mentioned In
connection with Hoover'S pet branch OF
the executive Stablishment-the De-
partment of Commerce. 1t Is recalled
that Mr. Houston was former Assistant
Secretary of Commerce and long has
been closely associated with Mr.. Hoover
in official capacities. Besides, Mr..
Houston is from one Of the Southern
States that broke away from the main
stem of Democracy few days back. 1t
is suggested that the South should be
given some official recognition for con-
tributing to the support Of the Republl-
can administration.
The prospective Chief Executive
knows that in the selection of his cab
met his reputation as picker OF men,
is at stake. He will make every effort
to get men Of outstanding ability to Ill
the cabinet vacancies, for he intends to
place upon their shoulders much OF the
burden of governmental administration.
silk Hats in Demand.
It is improbable that he will make
any announcement of appointments
until the conclusion of his ambitious
journey across the Equator. He will
have his hands full from now until the
mission of friendship Is completed.
That he intends to do" Central and
South America in real style is evidenced
by the fact he has ordered a complete
outfit of formal dress clothes from a
San Francisco tailor. He came to Cali
fornia wholly unprepared for diplo-
matte tour in foreign lands, as did
also the members Of his staff and the
correspondents. Word has
reached the press that 1t should present
formal appearance, too, and conse-
quently vast inroads have been made
on Frisco's supply Of silk toppers and
swallow tails.
Mr.. Hoover spent several hours in
San Francisco stores yesterday. He
slipped away from Palo Alto, unnoticed
by newspaper men, because he Shuddered
to think Of trying on silk hats and
frock coats and spatS In front of the
admiring eyes of the correspondents.
1t is reported that he found time dur
ing the shopping tour to step into a
sporting goods store and purchase
some angling paraphernalia to take
along with him.
He hopes to spend some time fishing
in Florida before he returns to the
Nations Capital.
On his return to Palo Alto he found
awaiting him another Assistant At
torney General. Mrs. Mabel Walker
Willebrandt. She stayed at his home
but a short time and avoided news
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