Cohen

For some months the Controller of Customs at New Orleans has been Walter L. Cohen, former Republican State Chairman, a Negro. He was nominated for the post by President Harding and rejected by the Senate a year ago. In May of last year the President gave Cohen a recess appointment. Recently President Coolidge presented Mr. Cohen's name to the Senate. Last week the Senate retired into executive session and came out with the answer "No Cohen."

Cohen's rejection was largely a case of personal prerogative. According to tradition of the Senate, no appointment is confirmed if the nominee is "personally obnoxious" to one of the Senators of the state to which it is made. Messrs. Ransdell and Broussard, Louisiana Senators, were sure that Cohen was obnoxious to them. The Senate complied with tradition. No Cohen.

John T. Adams, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, exclaimed : "The position has been held by a Negro since Grant's Administration and I see no reason why a handful of Southern Senators should be permitted to dictate to the President the manner in which he shall dispose of his patronage."

It was reported that the President would not make another appointment in place of the Negro and that Mr. Cohen would probably get another recess appointment later.