Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-08-26

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TO be sure, Frank always had been
known as a Republican up to the
time of his appointment to d Roose-
welt cabinet post In fact, the presi-
dent, desiring to make his admins
tration somewhat d coalition affair in
the present critical state of world
conditions, undoubtedly picked him
partly because of his Republicanism.
Nevertheless it evidently did seem
queer to most folk to think of 4 big
newspaper publisher as a member
of F. D. RS official family with his
paper Git it is his paper) plugging
for Wendell Willkie.
Secretary Knox himself appears to
have considered that the situation
called for a few words of clarifica-
ton, for he issued statement to
the effect that he was on leave of
absence from the News while holding
his navy portfolio, and, while his
leave continues, isn't directing its
policy.
All the same, plenty of people still
expressed the opinion that it was
peculiar.
Answer To the Puzzle.
Maybe the answer to the puzzle is
that the Chicago Daily News isn't,
outright, Secretary Knox's paper.
He has substantial financial in
terest in it unquestionably, but not
a majority of interest, though he was
put in, as general manager, as the
majority interests representative.
He's first rate neWspaperman.
Also an excellent businessman. In
those two capacities (Which are rath-
er an exceptional combination) all
accounts are that he delivered the
goods to the majority's entire salts
faction. Newspaper gossip, however,
is to the purport that, though Re-
publican, he became so friendly with
Chicago's local Democratic organiza-
ton that the News majority owner
ship didn't like it. It's even whisper
ed that there was majority talk of
pushing him overheard as general
manager.
Naturally it wouldn't have been to
his professional advantage to be I'M
loaded in such fashion-might have
prejudiced his subsequent career.
But d mans future career isn't
prejudiced by the circumstance that
he's been member of the cabinet.
That's good advertising for him. An
eX-cabinet member, looking for a
new job, has only to mention that
he is an ex-cabinet member to get
respectful attention.
Secretary Knox may not be an eX-
cabinet member for quite a while,
either. II President Roosevelts re-
elected, presumably Frank will stay
on as navy secretary for another four
years. Then he'll have distinguished
past to recommend him for some
new berth. And even if Wilkes
elected and Franks supplanted as a
cabineteer, he still will have it to
his credit that he was chosen for a
cabinet position at one of the most
critical junctures in the worlds his
tory. That will be a heap sight better
than merely having been canned
from the Chicago Daily News gen.
eral anagement-simply assuming,
for the sake of argument, hat that
was the News majority ownership's
notion as to Franks case.
Very Largely Speculation.
All this is mainly speculation, ex-
cept as to the item that Secretary
Knox isn't the out-and-out owner OF
the Chicago Daily News. That's pref
ty we'll established.
That the Chicago Democratic ma
chine, wishing Frank well, was the
outfit which suggested him to Wash
! ington as a suitability for the navy
portfolio is pure surmise, though
there are those who are to be heard
surmising it, just as matter of un-
adulterated guessWork.
Yet it's impossible to get away
from the oddly of the News Will
kie-esque attitude, if Frank actually
is the boss of the paper.