C. Bascom Slemp

President Coolidge's first act of any importance was the appointment of his Secretary (TIME, August 20). It brought on the President the first criticism which he has received on his Presidential conduct. The points made against Mr. Secretary Slemp, former Congressman from Virginia, were:

1) That he was appointed for political reasons--to round up Southern delegates for Mr. Coolidge in the next Republican National Convention.

2) That he is a "Lily White" politician who is trying to make the Republican organization in the South white, by divorcing it from the Negro element with which Republicanism has been much associated in the South.

3) That he has been accused, not without reason, of selling appointments, if not for his private gain, at least for the Party purse.

4) That his name is C. Bascom Slemp.

In favor of Mr. Slemp's appointment it was said:

1) That it marks the occupation of the office of Presidential Secretary by a man who is himself a figure, not the appointment of a mere overseer of clerks, maker of engagements--that it is a return to the policy of Presidents Wilson, Taft and Roosevelt as opposed to that of President Harding.

2) That a political appointment is highly to be favored as the only immediate means of lightening the work of the Chief Executive by removing from his shoulders much of the work that comes from being head of his Party.