Diplomacy vs. Politics

POLITICAL NOTES

Diplomacy vs. Politics

An embassy, $17,500 a year, the honor and titles of Ambassador do not tempt a man well placed in politics any more than they seduce the average successful man from business. R. B. Creager of Brownsville, Texas, a friend of President Harding and friendly with his successor, refused a nomination as Ambassador to Mexico. A White House announcement emblazoned his refusal in these words: "Hon. R. B. Creager of Brownsville, Texas, has been tendered the post of Ambassador to Mexico by President Coolidge, as had also been done by President Harding. Mr. Creager, since the death of President Harding, has been chosen National Committeeman and has become the head of the Republican Party organization in his State and a very influential party leader in the Southwest. He is unwilling to give up this work that his fellow citizens have entrusted to him, and has therefore declined for the present the opportunity to be Ambassador to Mexico."

Another politician, retired by vote of his constituents, following the confirmation of his appointment by the Senate, packed his trunks and announced that he would sail on Dec. 22 for the Court of St. James. He is ex-Senator Frank B. Kellogg of Minnesota. It is not impossible that Mr. Kellogg would have declined the nomination also, had he still been Senator, Nevertheless Senator Shipstead (his successor), Senator Magnus Johnson --both Farmer-Laborites -- Senators Wheeler, Dill, Ferris and Copeland-- Democrats -- and Senators Frazier, Brookhart and Norris--Republicans-- voted against the appointment for the reason that Mr. Kellogg had been taken out of politics by the ballot. Seventy-five other Senators, with favorable votes, sped their former colleague from politics to diplomacy.