Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-08
Mr.. Potter's Designation
May Be Made Permanent

Secretary Wilson Of the Agricultural
Department made 1t clear to the COM
mittee on agriculture of the House. be-
fore whom he appeared this morning,
that Albert F. Potter in all probability
will be the permanent forester Of the
United States. succeeding Clifford Pinchot
He expressed the highest regard for Mr..
Potter, whom he has designated as tenn
porary head OF the forest service, and
who has been assistant forester and con-
nected with the forest service for years.
The Secretary said. however. that while
at present be expected to make such a
recommendation in regard to Mr.. Potter
he must not be considered bound to take
this course, and that II 1t appeared in the
future for the best interests of the serv-
ice to recommend another man as forester
he would do SO.
Secretary Wilson also made it clear to
the committee that Mr.. Pinchot's letter
to Senator Dolliver has been, in his opin-
ion. an act Of INSTRUMENTATION. There
were members Of the committee inclined
to believe early this morning that the
President had acted too hastily In dis
missing MIR. Pinchot, but after listening
to all the facts brought out by the Secre-
tary they changed their views.
Questioned by Members.
The Secretary had an appointment to
appear before the committee on agrfcul-
ture to discuss some of the items in the
coming agricultural appropriation bill. and
he did not appear before the committee
to discuss athe Pinchot matter. But the
committee members asked questions free
ly and Secretary Wilson gave them the
infOr nation they desired.
When Secretary Wilson left the COM
mittee room he was asked by a reporter
for The Star If he had anything further
to say about Mr.. Pinchot's removal from
office
II think not; the papers in the case
explain everything" replied Mr.. Wilson.
You know that Mr.. Pinchot intended
to send such a letter to Senator Doliver.
did you not. Mr.. Secretary"
THAT was all shown In the President s
letter to Mr.. Pinchot,' the Secretary an
swered.
Who is going to be the next forester.
Mr.. Secretary"
Its little too early to say. Mr.. Pot
ter has been selected to act as forester
for the present He is still In Utah, how
ever. and until ne reaches here Mr.. Nc
Cabe, solicitor for the department, will act
as forester. l designated him to take
charge there this morning.
MI. SCOTS Comments.
Representative Scott of Kansas, chair
man or the House committee on agriCul-
ture said in regard to Mr.. Pinchot's dis
mssal:
Il can say still, as I have often said be-
fore, that l have the highest personal re-
gard for MIR. Pinchot, and that consider
the work he has done in organizing the
forest service and in bringing public SEN
timent to the support of the great con-
servation policies with which his name
will always he associated to have been Of
inestimable value to the country. l re-
greet exceedingly, therefore. that his sense
Of public duty has led him to pursue a
course which left the President no self
respecting alternative but to terminate
Mr. Pinchot's official relations with the
government service.
Fortunately the forest service is so
we'll orgnized and SO efficiently manned
that it's work will go forward without
serious interruption. MIR. Potter. who has
been designated. for the present at least.
as forester, has been in the service a
number of years and Is thoroughly ia
miiiar with the details Of the work as
we'll as with the general policy of the
bureau. He is a man Of wide practical
experience and Of good address, and l
feel very confident that the administra-
ton and conduct Of the forest service
under his direction will be as perfectly in
accord with public interest as 1t has been
under that Of Mr.. Pinchot.'