Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
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Perhaps you do not know the reason for the Billings recommendation. Lieutenant Governor Walsh advised it.
When Dudley Malone told me of this, I insisted that he see both Mr. Brandeis and Mr. Grozier, and find whether they concurred in the advisability of naming him. They both thought it an excellent selection.
There is no substantial opposition to him outside of Mayor Fitzgerald himself. The Congressmen are being told by him, that if they permit Billings to go through that he, Fitzgerald, will hold them accountable. This is the reason for their unusual activity.
I have had lunching with me today Francis Carroll, a man whom you have met and who is clean and fairly able, and whom Fitzgerald likes better than almost anyone.
I believe if you will make Carroll District Attorney, and Reilley, who is now State Chairman, United States Marshal, that the tempest in the teapot will subside.
I will know definitely about this before McAdoo and Tumulty arrive.
The material that you have to appoint from is not of the best, but I think willth Billings for Collector of the Port, Maynard for Surveyor, Malley for Internal Revenue Collector, Francis Carroll for District Attorney and Reilly for United States Marshal, you will have done the very best that could be done.
This will give Fitzgerald, and the Boston democracy which he represents, two of the best places, and if he is not satisfied with this consideration I would let it go at that.
Please do not think of it while you are at Cornish, for as a matter of fact it is not as serious as the Massachusetts Congressmen try to make it.
EM House
Beverly, Massachusetts
September 11th, 1913.
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