The Washington times., 1929-01-25
HOOVER Looms
AS own CHIEF
OF STATE
tcontinued from First PAGE

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candidates for other berths. But
with no one, so far as is known,
has he discussed the State portfolio
in a serious way.
This has given rise to contra.
dictory reports. one to the effect
that he already has settled the mat
ter in his own mind, and another
that he has purposely maintained
an open mind in the matter until
he could confer with Morrow and
settle his future status. That
has now been done.
The impression prevails among
many of the President. elects friends
that he plans to be his own Secre-
tary Of State to q large extent and
to that end will choose q willing
'collaborator" for the biggest post
in the Cabinet, rather than a man
who has independent and positive
views Of his own about foreign
affairs.
Fletcher Fits Role
Hoover has spent 20 years abroad.
He probably has as intimate a
first-hand knowledge Of conditions
in foreign countries as any man in
American public life.
Moreover this knowledge has been
kept fresh and up-to-date during his
eight years in the Cabinet through
the Department of Commerce for.
eign service, which he hinslf or
ganized, directed and kept at q high
pitch OF efficiency sometimes to-
the secret discontinue OF the State
Department itself.
With such experience, ard given
such turn Of mind, many OF
Hoover's friends have argued that
he logically should be his own
Secretary Of State.
Whether he agrees with this point
OF view remains to be seen. The
speculation, however, continues to
center about Henry p. Fletcher,
now ambassador to Rome, and a
career diplomat Of long standing.
Fletcher has served in many parts
OF the world and under good
many Secretaries OF State, both Re-
publicans and Democrats, although
he Is a Pennsylvania Republican.
The Fletcher boosters argue that
his training and experience has
been such as to make him an ideal
collaboration for Hoover in foreign
affairs. He has had considerable
experience, at any rate, In carrying
cut the foreign policies of others.
Counts Latin Trade
That Hoover thinks highly Of
Fletcher there Is no doubt. He
leaned heavily upon him during his
two months good win tour Of South
and Central America. Most Of
Fletcher's experience has been in
Latin America. He has been am.
bassador to Mexico, to Chile, has
been an important figure in ell
Pan.American conferences in recent
years, and has been Under Secre.
tary Of State as well.
The development OF Eattn-A Ameri-
can good viii and trade Is to be
no small part Of. the Hoover
foreign policy, 50 from many angles
his appointment has much to recon-
mend it to the new President.
There are other names. however,
that figure prominently in the spec
uIation. Not the least Of these Is
Henry Il. Stinson, now Governor
General of the Philippines, who has
"a rich and varied background Of
public service. He was Taft's Sec
retary Of war, Roosevelt's friend,
and Coolidge special emissary to
Nicaragua during the late unpleas.
antness there.
StiH another Is Alanson B. Hough.
ton. ambassador to Great Britain,
who is said to be tired Of the
post and anxious to retire unless
there is q cabinet post in which to
continue his public service.
Hoover went fishing today, but
he took his work with him. With
a very small party, aboard q house.
boat, he was off the Florida Keys,
south Of Miami. intent upon be-
coming 3 member Of the sailfish
club.