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that he regarded himself as a political force. He was also very vain, and very pleased with being Secretary of War. I also became aware of the fact that many people were dissatisfied with his activities. I don't know how I got that except that you heard it gossiped around. There had been some kind of political trouble before his appointment in which Louis Johnson, who was the Commander of the American Legion, and whose principal fame was due to that, and the veterans had demanded something or other. It came down to being Johnson's preferment for the appointment. I think that Jim Farley took a hand in straightening things out and that he got Johnson to agree to be Assistant Secretary of War.

Going back to the Navy Department for a minute, I now remember that Edison, who had been Secretary of the Navy, after Swanson, left to run for the governorship of New Jersey. I'm not sure that Jim didn't think that would be a good idea. Edison was a very good Governor and did a great deal to strengthen the whole Democratic Party team. I don't believe that Edison would have been pushed out for the sake of getting Knox in. I think it was already under discussion that Edison should go to New Jersey. Edison wanted to run for Governor and then the question came as to who should