The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-06-18
Sentiment Favoring Sec.
retary Wallace in For
est Fight Grows.
WAIT HARDING BILL
OF REORGANIZATION
Concerted Action Threat.
ened When Measure Is
Sent to Congress.

The program of Secretary of the
Interior Fall to have vast natural
resources in the Department of
Agriculture transferred TO his de-
psrtment. which, 1t is reported, has
created an embarrassing situation
In the Cabinet for Secretary Wal
lace, has aroused a sentiment In
Congress which may lead to de-
mands for Falls resignation. &C.
cording TO prominent Republicans
IN both Houses yesterday.
In addition to the farm bloc, II
is said that at least twelve Sem
ators regard Secretary Falls pres
ence in the Cabinet as a constant
menace to the natural resources of
the nation. Not only have these
Senators prepared to block exploita-
tion plans announced by the Sec
retsry OF the Interior, but tney
have made it plain they will initi-
ate a movement to compel his res
ignation unless efforts to PARTITION
the Agricultural Department cease.
Congress for Wallace.
Should the Cabinet controversy
between Wallace and Fall become
acute, leaders declare that the
overwhelming sentiment of Con-
gress is that the Secretary of the
Interior should be the one to 60.
while Secretary Wallace is de-
clared to have a majority in Con-
gress supporting him in his fight
against the proposed transfer Of
the Forest Service to the Interior,
opponents of this move recognize
that. up to the present. Secretary
Falls plans have been indorsed by
the President. Any fight to dis
place the Secretary of the Interior,
1t is pointed out, would therefore
meet strong opposition from ad-
ministration sources.
However. a strong group of Sem
ators is said to be determined to
keep Secretary wallace in the Cab
met, even IL it involves q movement
to oust the Interior head.
Attempts of the Secretary Of In
terror to have the 100000 acres
of forest lands, comprising the For
est Service. transferred to his con-
troll. it Is said, is responsible for a
growing distrust among members of
Congress.
Fall Presses Claim.
Notwithstanding the fact that
Secretary of Agriculture wallace
has made a definite stand against
giving up this part of his depart
ment. Secretary Fall, IL Is said. has
continued to press the President
for approval of his plan. That
President Harding has acceded to
the proposal and will make his de-
cision public with the presentation
of the department reorganization
bill is predicted by persons in White
House circles.
June IS was the date set two
months ago for presentation to Con-
gress of the reorganization legisla-
tion. However, IL could not be
learned yesterday whether the
President will ladhere to this sched-
ule.
Belief that President Harding will
indorse the proposed transfer of the
Forest Service rests. 1t is pointed
out by Senate leaders. upon senti-
ments expressed by close friends
and advisers, as well as upon re-
cent support of Secretary Fail in
the Senate investigation of the Tea
pot Dome oil lease.
II is recalled by these leaders
that when Secretary Fall turned
over to the Senate correspondence
relating to this lease, President
Harding sent a letter to the Senate
with the material. This letter. it
IS said defended the Interior Secre-
tary by indorsing the leasing of
the naval reserve.
Believe Letter Indication.
Friends of the Forest Service see
in this letter an indication of the
Presidents attitude toward turn
ing that bureau over to the Depart
ment of Interior. Both the naval
reserves and forests, they point
out. are a part of the national
wealth. Secretary Fall secured the
first from the Navy Department 1t
is said and is endeavoring to ac-
quire the other from the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. With appro-
val of the President he turned the
naval reserves over to private ex-
ploItation. which, friends OF Agri-
culture declare. indicates that he
will have the Presidents support
in his plans for the forests.
Four months ago. 1t Is, said. Gif-
ford Pinchot called at the White
House and urged the President to
block this change. At that time
President Harding is said to have
declared that while he woulC have
final decision. on the matter he
would rely largely upon the rec
ommendation OF the Reorganization
Board.
Hrowl Recommends Change.
Subsequent TO Mr.. Pinchot's visit.
Walter F. Brown, a close friend
Of the President and head of the
Reorganization Board, recommended
the transfer of the Forest Service
to the Interior Department. This
Recommendation, II Is said. was in
eluded in the general reorganiza-
tion report, which. because of other
objections. was recommitted to the
board However, another report
has been rendered, Mr Brown has
said. and Is now in the hands of
the President.
Whether an organized demand
will be made for Secretary Falls
resignation. Senators say, depends
upon the Reorganization bill which
they expect will be presented
shortly. II this carries the provi-
sion to shift the Forest Service to
the Interior Department. they say
II will precipitate a crisis which
could end only In the resignation
of Wallace or Fall.
Senate leaders announce they
will demand the resignation of
Secretary r,li II the crisis arises.