The Washington times., 1936-09-02
GOV. M'NUTT
DOOMED FOR
. DERN POST
By GEORGE DURNO
International News Service

International News Service
The vacancy in President
Roosevelt's Cabinet created by the
death of Secretary of War George
H. Dern will remain untitled for
at least 80 days, officials here
indicated, but that fact today
failed to stop widespread Specu-
lation in political circles as to the
ultimate successor to the War
portfolio.
, One name was getting more
early mention among informed
politicians than all others COM
bined. 1t was that of Gov. Paul
v. McNutt, of Indiana.
May Be WOOdring
Pressure also was expected to
start soon to bring about the ele-
walton of Assistant Secretary Of
War Harry H. Woodring, former
governor Of Kansas, to the post.
Meanwhile, those close to Mr..
Roosevelt expressed the belief
there certainly would be no ap-
pointment to the vacancy within
a month, and possibly not until
after election. Woodring auto
matically became Acting Secre-
tary upon Dern'S death. Under
the law, with the Senate out of
session, he may remain in that
capacity for 80 days and then be
formally designated to continue
for another 80 days, thus reliev-
ing the President of the necessity
of making any immediate choice
for the permanent job.
McNutt Favored
The possibility McNutt would
eventually be named Secretary
of War appeared rather well re-
garded in certain quarters close
to the White House. Former ma
tional commander of the Amer
lean Legion, McNutt is now round
ing out a four-year term as Gov
ernor of Indiana and under the
State law may not succeed him.
self. It had been reported some
time ago that Senator Sherman
Minton, Of Indiana, was to be
appointed to a Federal judge
ship, leaving Senate vacancy
to which McNutt could be ap-
pointed. He recently told friends
fatty, however, he was not 60
ing to the Senate but declined
to reveal the exact nature of his
future plans. McNutt, a hand
some and gifted orator, has been
Stumping earnestly for the re-
election Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
Friends Rally
Before any final decision Is
reached, however, friends of Act
ing Secretary Woodring were ex-
pected to press his claims to
the War portfolio with vigor.
Woodring was Governor of Kan
sas for the term preceding the
first election of ALI M. Landon.
He is a Son-in-law Ct retiring
Senator Marcus A. Coolidge, of
Massachusetts. He is a past State
commander of the American Le-
gion. Those who should be in a
position to know, however, ex-
pressed doubt that the Kansan
would be promoted.
Other names have been put ten.
tatively into the early running,
but experienced politicians cited
reasons why they were unlikely to
get-or consideration.
Guffey "Out"
Reports, which circulated
through Pennsylvania Immediately
after Dern'S death that Senator
Joseph F. Guffey would be taken
into the Cabinet, were discounted
here. Guffey has four more
years to serve in the Senate. He
is an Administration supporter in
the Upper House. He has sue
ceeded in building up a powerful
political machine in Pennsylvania
which many observers predict will
swing the State into the Demo
cratic column this fall. His value
to the Administration, it was
pointed out, is much greater as
a Senator than as Secretary of
War.
Murphy's Hope Slim
Similarly, the suggestion Frank
Murphy, now running for cover.
nor of Michigan, might get the
choice a SIS gnm en- ESPECIALLY
should he be defeated-did not
meet with favor in informed cir
Giles. Murphy reluctantly took a
leave of absence as U. S. High Com
missioner to the Philippines to
contest for the Democratic guber-
material nomination in his home
State, it was recalled. He did so
with the express understanding he
would return to the Philippines
should he not come through, and
those who know him best here say
he will insist that the bargain with
Mr.. Roosevelt be carried out.
VOTE AMERICAN
UNNEDGAIICM