The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-12-15
STATED BORAH
FAVORS DAVIS
FOR CABINET
Western States United
in Choice Of Idaho
Governor Secre-
tary Of Interior

BOISE, Ida.--ParamOunt among
political issues In Idaho is the pos
sibility of. Governor Davis being
named by President-elect Harding
secretary Of the interior. Governor
Davis is not candidate, but II Of
fered the portfolio he would not de-
cline It, his friends who are very
active In his behalf say. Interest
was added when the president-elect
said he would name the next. secre-
tary Of the interior from the west.
The west believes, even more than
ever, that 1t is imperative the next
secretary Of the interior shall come
from It's territory. Idaho Is partic-
ularly interested because 1t has
greater irrigation development than
any other state and still has unde-
veloped a vast territory that can be
reclaimed If the government will
loan its assistance.
Friends of Governor Davis point to
the fact that he is president of the
western States Reclamation associa
ton. He has made his home for
many years in southern Idaho, and is
thoroly familiar with reclamation in
all of its stages. AS governor he has
studied conservation problems, in
Guiding those which deal with ma
tional forests. Public lands have
also come under his observation, be-
cause this state has vast areas with
which the state is constantly deal
ing. These are qualifications, his
friends say, which few men in the
west have.
Senator Borah discussed with Mr..
Harding the matter of naming q
western man for secretary of the in
terror and believes the man selected
should be thoroly at sympathy with
the west and its people as well as
its resources. While he has not pub
licly expressed himself, it is gener-
ally known that Senator Borah looks
with favor upon the selection of
Governor Davis.
When Frank K. Lane resigned as
secretary of the interior and ex-
Governor Hawley was mentioned as
a successor, he was strongly Endorsed
by Republicans, altho he is Demo-
GRAFT Republicans worked as hard
for his appointment as Democrats.
When he was not named there was
general disappointment, but Idaho
party leaders are not discouraged
and irrespective of politics, they are
getting behind Governor Davis as en-
Enthusiastically as they did behind
Hawley.
The Idaho public utilities commits
sion has Joined in an appeal to Presi-
dent-elect Harding urging an ap-
pointment to the interstate COM
.merce commission of a representa-
't-'a of the intermountain country.
Copies Of the appeal have been sent
~ governors of various states and
to public utilities committees and
railroad commissions. Montana, Utah,
Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are
parties to the appeal which it is be-
lieved will bring results. The COM
mon interests of the several states
led to the action
There are several candidates from
this territory, one nj VII I'm is A. r..
Freehafer, president of the Idaho
commission, whose term expires Jan
"ary 1. He is a Democrat and will
be succeeded by Republican. J. B.
Campbell, attorney for the chamber
of commerce, Spokane, a Republi-
can, is another applicant. 1: is pos
s'ble that bob Republican and a
Democrat will be named from the
western territory and that both these
men will be selected Every effort
will be made for tnem.