The Washington herald., 1920-02-19
CABINET CLASH
MAY FORCE OUT
WM.B. WILSON
Labor Department Head
Refuses to Comment on
Disagreement.
DISPUTE WITH PALMER
Attorney Generals Alleged
Interference Involves
Caminetti.

Amid the maze OF rumors that fur
ther Cabinet designations will follow
that of Robert Lansing, a hint stands
out strongly today that Secretary Of
Labor William B. Wilson may shortly
leave the Presidents changeful group
Of departmental executives,
1t was freely predicted that Secre-
tary Wilson would take such action
last December as the result of, his
disagreement with Attorney General
Palmer over the governments use
of the injunction in the csal strike
and the discardinS of his plan for Il
i3l per cent increase to bituminous
miners in favor of the Il per cent
advance advocated by DIR. Harry A.
Garfield, then Federal fuel admin
istrator.
CnminettT's Course Questioned.
The cruX of the present situation
is an alleged usurpation OF power by
the Department of Justice over
United States immigration stations.
involving Anthony Caminetti. commits
sioner general of immigration. From
Il source usually authoritative come )
word that Caminetti recently has ad-
ministered his bureau in co-opera-
ttion with the Attorney General and
that he has fallen under Secretary
Wilson's strong displeasure.
Questioned as to these reported
developments last night, the Secre-
tary of Labor replied:
Il cannot discuss a story of the
kind"
Would you undertake to deny it
outrightT' he was further inter
TogatCd.
- will not discuss it at ALL" was
the final answer.
Absent from Conference.
Another factor in the reported
split between Attorney General
Palmer and Secretary Wilson is that
the latter has been conspicuous by
his absence from outlaw meetings"
Of the cabinet since the coal strike
wrangle. This bas been explained bs
citation OF the fact that Mr.. Wilson
is chairman of the Second Indus
rial Conference now sitting in
Washington and could not spare the
time from his labors with this body
to attend sittings of the secretaries.
on the other hand. some officials
declare the Secretary of Labor stu
diously avoided all cabinet gather
ings at which the Attofney General
was present, which 10 practically
all held since December.
Several times, il is disclosed
White House functionaries telc-
phoned Mr.. Wilson's Office to know
whether he would he in attenda nee
and We're always informed:
MIR. Wilson has gone to the in
dustrial conference"
A test of strength between the
two mon, it is thought in most
quarters. could only result to the
disadvantage OF MIR. Wilson,, who is
not conceded the standing in the
administration possessed by Mr..
Palmer.
Congress Might Inycstigac.
Another difficulty would confront
Mr.. Wilson should he elect to de-
mand tho resignation of Commits
ting under pressure undoubtedly
would mean a sweeping InvestIga-
ti"n OF the Department Of Labor by
Congress. in which is to he found
"a large and powerful element set
against this government division
and all its ways.
The selection Of Mr.. Wilson. a
former miner. for a Cabinet post
always has been regarded as a move
by the President to align labor for
the Democratic party. And while
there is no imputa ton nf favCritiSm
toward labor ON Secretary Wilson's
part. he is extremely anxious that
nothing should occur to damage or
cripple the functioning of his de-
partment. through which labor Is
represented, and through whose ad-
ministration he largely retains his
popularity in labor circles A Con-
Cressional investigation might mean
just this and the avoidance of an
investigation is felt to be dependent
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.