The Washington times., 1912-12-27
FISHER IS URGED
FOR RETENTION IN
WILSON'S CABINET
Many Anxious to See Secre-
tary Continue Interior De-
partment Policies.

oscrstaty OF the Interior walter L.
Fisher 10 being backed by considerable
influences for retention In the Cabinet
Of Precedent Wilson.
30 far a. 10 known. MIR. Fisher has
not been consulted by those friends
who are desirous that Mr.. Wilson
should consider his continuance In the
Cabinet. Doubts have been expressed.
sen Ss some o. .ns sIp, peops, os,nns
whether he would do 30. The Secretary
has been an exceedingly hard worker.
f.miliarising himself With the details
ment, and has imposed . highly lnde-
pendent policy. As an executive. he 10
not unlike Roosevelt. who made 1t his
business to know everything that was
took no unnecessary chances. but kept
IN touch everywhere. Mr.. Fisher has
done the same 30 far as II was possible
for one man to be In touch with all the
vast array OF business that the dc.
overwork and close application have
not tended to make his administrative
experience altogether pleasant: but none
the less Mr.. Fisher has had the salts:
confidence from people Who we're the
most severe critics OF the department
under the Bailinger regime. II was by
his order that the famous Cunningham
casion for the old Ballinger scandal.
were Cancelled.
Like His Decisions.
Back Of tho talk about Mr.. Fisher
A. . possible member Of the Wilson
Cabinet. 10 q strong element Of the con.
servation advocates. who believe that
he has been sincere. earnest and de.
termiued to protect the public inter.
est Ills rulings In various watel
power matters. his management OF
policy nc toward % Aiasss. % have %e streasth. I Il.
ened him with the conservation forces
While he has some opponents among
this element. he has his chief strength
there.
It Is reported In Washington today
that n particularly strong fight Il
making In behalf Of Fred b. Lynch, oi
Minnesota. for the headship Of the In.
terror Department. Mr.. Lynch wal
sroSnds n Srs Should J. s entiiisa a OF dissn
guished consideration. But there ar.
indications that he will have Il harc
light and some very specific opposition
i 10 declared tina. the Jane. J. Hill n,
Kreat railroad system runs through tn,
public land States Of the Northern
tier, and perhaps no railroad Interest
In the entire West has so large a con-
Germ about the policy Of the interior
Department.
Big Timber Owner.
The Northern Pacific. for example
was listed by the Commissioner Of Cor
porations. in his study Of the standins
timber holdings Of the country, as one
OF two or three Of the biggest owner,
Of timber. II was charged, moreover
that the .ssailroad got the4e extpemei,
valuable holdings by exehanki6k '0thel
lands for them under the '1ieu land
law. .. ~
The Hill crowd has always been deep
~ concerned about interior manage
ment. and Its influence has been re
peatedly detected In connection witt
Alaska affairs. These circumstances
have caused some OF the conserva
tionists to oppose Lynch. and they ar,
preparing. I Ii said. to make thei
Eatagonism felt In case II develops tina
Lynch Is being seriously considered b,
Governor Wilson.
Former Mayor Pheian, OF San Fran
cisco, Is another whose name Is urget
by some OF the Western interests 10
the Interior portfolio. Yet another Il
Governor Norris. OF Montana.