Recasting

Some one--some wit--better endowed with sharpness than with taste, composed a little rhyme:

Who, who, who remembers ?

Harding's Cabinet had ten members:

Poor old Denby had to resign,

Then there were nine;

Such was Harry Daugherty's fate,

Then there were eight;

H. C. Wallace went to Heaven,

Then there were seven;

Hughes was next to quit the mix,

Now there are six;

All the rest are going strong--

How long?

The history of the rhyme is accurate enough. Weeks, Mellon, New, Work, Hoover, Davis remain. Wilbur, whom President Coolidge added to the group as Secretary of the Navy, likewise is at hand. Last week, the President announced that "except for unforeseen emergencies" in the Cabinet, no further changes would be made. The announcement came after the previous two weeks had wrought major changes that mean a new Cabinet in several respects after Mar. 4. The following is a summary of Cabinet changes, by portfolios, with the prospects that each has roused:

State. Secretary Hughes' resignation, and the announcement of Ambassador Kellogg's appointment (TIME, Jan. 19) remained the object of much comment. Here is a collection of reasons assigned for Mr. Hughes' resignation :

1) That he desires to retire from public life after 20 years of service, with the implied corollary that he will build up his personal fortune, too long neglected, by returning to his lucrative law practice. (The official reason.)

2) That the presence of Senator Borah, with whom Mr. Hughes differs on policies, at the head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate meant lack of team work and Mr. Hughes preferred to resign. (Probably a contributory reason.)

3) That Mr. Hughes desired to undertake a policy of more active participation in international affairs, which policy the President opposed. (Secret explanation of the "real reason.")

4) That the President wanted a policy of more active participation in international affairs, which policy Mr. Hughes opposed. (Another secret explanation of the "real reason.")

5) That Mr. Hughes wishes to be a candidate for President in 1928 and looks forward to strengthening his position by leaving the Cabinet. (Still another secret explanation of the "real reason.")

It is impossible to say how, if in any way, Mr. Kellogg's foreign policy will differ from Mr. Hughes.' The President announced that there was no prospect of a change in policy. It was suggested that Mr. Kellogg's appointment is but temporary. This suggestion was made largely because of a general impression that Mr. Kellogg is not very able, that he is an indecisive, worrying, nervous little man, a capable lawyer but without much driving force. Mark Sullivan, one of the aldest of political observers, was inclined to discount this impression of the Secretary of State-to-be, declaring that the impression of timidity comes mainly from physical fidgetiness, that no one, saving only the late Boise Penrose, of Pennsylvania, ever stood up and gave battle so boldly to Senator LaFollette as little "Nervous Nellie" Kellogg.

But if Mr. Kellogg is to be Secretary of State temporarily, who will come after?

War. No rumors were abroad concerning Secretary Weeks.

Treasury. Secretary Mellon has been known to be closely allied to the President in all matters. No reason is there for expecting his retirement.

Justice. Attorney General Stone, the teacher of law, he, the greatest part of whose career has been within the precincts of learning, was nominated for transfer to the Supreme Bench. It was suggested that in the Cabinet ha had proved too nonpolitical, that the handshakings and granting of little favors which is the politician's life and success, did not come easily to him.

Into his shoes is to step Charles Beccher Warren of Michigan. It is said that the President wanted Mr. Warren as someone to whom he was close, someone he could rely on, now that Mr. Hughes is to depart. Intellectually he is probably the ablest man whom Mr. Coolidge has added to the Cabinet. Suave of face, almost good looking, the broad-headed type of statesman, like Borah or Underwood, he is able, active, arduous -- especially in mind. He might have had a place in Harding's cabinet, but Harding, the man of good heart, was perhaps a little repelled by Warren's swift-mindedness. The departure of Mr. Hughes breaks up the "Big Three" of the Cabinet-- Hughes, Mellon, Hoover. If one of the newcomers is to take Hughes' place in the trio, it is likely to be Warren. He is not as Hoover, the man of method, of slow exactness, the efficiency expert of a Nation, nor like Mellon, a solver of the financial intricacies for the biggest business, the largest trust, the only absolute monopoly of the country--the U. S. Government. Rather, Warren is a man of more diversity, all mobile, a capable strategist, hard to trick, always ready for sortie or counterattack, complete and instant master of the forces of his mind.

It was probably in recognition of bis character that he was given diplomatic posts, made Ambassador to Japan, coupled with John Barton Payne to arrange for the resumption of diplomatic relations with Mexico, then made Ambassador to Mexico. In view of his diplomatic service, he may have hoped for the Secretariat of State instead of the Attorney Generalship. In fact, it is not impossible that he took the latter post in hope of later being raised to the former. If Mr. Kellogg's term of office as Secretary of State should be brief--who would follow after?

Post Office. According to official announcement, Postmaster General New was asked, and agreed to remain in office.

Navy. Secretary Wilbur seemed to be slated to continue for the time being.

Interior. Secretary Work gave no intimation of a forthcoming resignation.

Agriculture. Secretary Gore retires on Mar. 4 to become Governor of West Virginia. For several weeks, the President has been meditating on the choice of a successor. For many years, the holder of the post has been a man expert in the technical side of farming. The President announced his belief that, at the present time, it was more important to appoint a man familiar with the business side of farming. He offered the post to Secretary Hoover who declined it, promising to assist, however, in the selection of a proper person. It was reported that the President has on his desk a report on 150 to 180 men who have been suggested for the post.

Commerce. In announcing that he had declined to accept the portfolio of Agriculture, Mr. Hoover declared that it was his belief that he could serve agriculture best by improving conditions in the whole distribution system and the general industrial situation--thereby implicitly declaring that he would retain his post.

Labor. Although Secretary James J. Davis had declared some months ago that he wished to retire on Mar. 4, he changed his mind. He arrived back from a trip in South America and last week saw the President. After the interview, it was announced that he would stay in the Cabinet.