The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-10-18
WHY THORESEN WAS ASKED TO
RESIGN

A great many papers have made a
great-to-do about the action of President
Harding in asking for the resignation of
Hon. l. G. Thoresen, former Surveyor
General for Utah. Some have criticised
the President while others have upheld
him, and now comes The Outlook with
some inside information that is interest
ing. From the statement of The Outlook
it appears that the President went out
of his way for consideration of the feel
ings of Mr.. Thoresen. In analysing the
matter The Outlook says in part:
ut appears upon inquiry, however.
that the Presidents letter, pehaps out of
too great consideration for Mr.. Thore-
sens feelings, failed to give the real rea-
sons for the request for resignation. 1t
is the announced and definite policy of
Secretary Fall, carefully followed by the
Land Office, that the employees in the
Department of the Interior who were ap-
pointed by President Wilson and who
are. rendering satisfactory service be al
lowed to serve out their full terms. In
Mr. Thoresen's case this would be term
of eight years. 1t is true that surveyors
general registers, and receivers are con-
sidered as political appointees. as are
collectors of customs, revenue collectors.
and others; but the etiquette of political
changes is being carefully followed by
this Administration"
IF there had not been reasons for the
good of the service which prompted the
request for Mr.. Thoresen's resignation,
he would have been allowed to remain
until his term expired.
when the new Administration, how
ever, came in, Mr.. Thoresen assumed an
independent position which seemed a
challenge to those in authority over him.
His zeal took the form of suggesting
ways by which not only his office but
other similar offices should be managed.
end it happened that his suggestions
were not in line with those that were
considered efficient in conductino the
big undertaking of Governmental sur
veying. AT present the Governmental sur
vevs are being made under a different
method from that which formerly OBJ
tanned. Heretofore it has been the prac-
tice fer the Government to let out sur
veying to contractors Now the entire
work has been assumed as Government
tai undertaking with very competent
man in charge. Under him small armv
of competent surveyors is establishing
lines and correcting errors made by the
contractors. 1t was felt that Mr.. Thore-
sen was not adapting himself to the
change in the policy of the Land Office
He was asked to resign; he refused to dc
SO, and he was consequently dismissed"
at is not to be inferred that there are
any diScIeditable charges against Mr.
Thoresen, for there are not; but his ne
cord was not such as to include him il
the class of those whose tenure of office
would rot be disturbed until thew haC
served OFT their two terms of eigh
ve"r7."
"Perhaps this case might not hav,
rained such publicity if it had not beer
for the chance that made the nomination
of his successor seem like the cure of /;
lisp. In putting Mr.. Soreson in place O
Mr.. Thoresen, the Administration cav
the newspapers an opportunity for head
lines which was not overlooked 1t shoulC
be said, however, that in this proceeding
the Administration has not served nc
tice uDOn former Democratic official
that thew have to 90 whenever it suit
the appointing power to replace them"