Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-02
SENATE cunning
SEEN OFFICE BAR
Attacks Held as Influence
Keeping Good Men
From Politics.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.


BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
President Hoover, in accordance with
his cast-lron rule to keep hands of
controversies which are exclusively the
business of Congress, is taking no part
in the pending discussion Of Senate ex-
ecutive sessions. But the adRinistra-
ton has an interest in the subject which
thus far has escaped public notice. That
interest consists of the Presidents
desire to have nominations for high
Federal Office confirmed with the leaSt
possible amount of embarrassment to
the appointees in question. The White
Houses concern IS deeper even than
that. 1t lies In the knowledge, based on
actual experience in recent years, that
many distinguished American citizens,
who would adorn public Office and who
otherwise would accept it. shrink from
doing so because they are unwilling to
become targets for attack on Capitol
Hill.
There is ground for asserting that
Herbert Hoover, as President-elect, raj
into this feeling right and left when
he was engaged in building his cabinet.
That several men who now sit in the
Presidents official family were second
choices is Enthusiastically stated in well
informed quarters. A variety of reasons
assigned by various personages
asked TO take portfolios. Inability to
make the requisite financial sacrifice
sometimes a reason. But the cause
which, it Is understood, Mr.. Hoover en-
countered with frequency when he
sought this or that well qualified man
for this or that portfolio, was that the
citizen in question was not minded to
risk reputation built up during a life
time at the hands Of what have been
called political gunner"
Fear Fire From Congress.
Eminent Americans are VIGOROUSLY
becoming mor and more reluctant to
take big jobs from Uncle Sam. not only
because Of the gauntlet Of IRE they must
run before confirmation. but because Of
the perpetual danger Of being brought
under fire in Congress at any time while
In ONCE. Ever since the Charles
Beecher Warren episode in 1925, Wash
ington authorities in position to know
declare. there's been a growing dfsin-
clination on the part Of big men" to
place themselves in a position where
their regulations can De blasted. Many
Of them would like the honor Of high
appointive Office. Many are conspicu-
ously equipped to hold such Office. Many
are able to undergo the economic sacri-
flee which its acceptance entails. But
very many in recent times have said
to Presidents n to executive chiefs.
who have offered them responsible posts
at Washington, that they do o relish
the Spanish inquiSition" of q confirma-
ton ordeal or the seats on q powder
barrel which they continually occupy
a flor nonaiuin0 a Conofo -
President Hoover, himself. both while
food administrator and Secretary Of
Commerce, weathered a more or less
constant vendetta Of public criticism.
On recurring occasions he was attacked
in Congress in unbridled terms. Sen
ator Jim" Reed, Democrat, of Missouri,
specialized in asSailing the Californian.
More than once, as his intimate friends
knew, Hoover was bitterly indignant
over the sort Of treatment to which he
was subjected. Being q sensitive. as
well as q approximations, public
servant. the sings and arrows sent In
his direction O and then got under
his hide AS Secretary of Commerce he
came to. look upon them more or less
al all In the days work, although never
quite learning how to laugh them
of" The principal emotion they
aroused in him was that the system Of
wholesale shooting at American public
men-particularly those deprived of an
opportunity of shooting back. even in
elf-defense-worked to the direct dis
advantage Of the country and the Gov
eminent. It was a system. Hoover
thought, which was every day keeping
out of the Federal service men who.
other things being equal. would gladly
place their time and their talents at
the Republics disposal.
Amendments Won't Help.
Proposed amendments in the Senate
rules, regarding nomination roll calls
and debates, are not designed to alter
this situation to any appreciable de-
gree. Whether roll calls and debates
are kept secret, as in the past, or held
they ought to be. the occasional Wash
ington system of "crucifying' presi-
Dental appointees Is likely to continue,
as heretofore. to frighten many worthy
Americans u Of any disposition to face
the guns pointed at them from the mo-
ment their nominations are announced.
Statesmen who resent the tactics of
certain political gunner" do not for
q moment suggest that the Senate
should abdicate its constitutional pre-
rogative Of withholding approval of
presidential appointments. It Is merely
suggested that the system of scrutiny,
which the Constitution contemplated,
Is often ruthlessly abused, or at least
has taken o form which terrifies many
worthy, men from subjecting themselves
1t.
Some Senators who favor complete
publicity for discussion of and votes on
nominations believe gunner" practices
would be curbed by publicity. Although
proceedings at open sessions would have
the same Immunity they now enjoy-to
. larger extent-tn executive sessions,
the belief Is widespread that modera-
ton would be observed In public dis
cusSon of mems eligibility to ONCE.
Senators assailing q nominee, with the
whole country looking on and listening
in, WOULD be more likely, 1t Is argued. TO
guard\thetr utterances than II they were
themselves in an executive
session
when tse Senate during the next few
days decidAS Upon its future rules re-
garding nomination debates and roll
calls, the considerations above men
will bA In the minds Of many
members. They feel very profoundly
that the vital Question Of high-grade
service IN the uppsrmost Federal realms
tcopyrisAt. 1929