The Washington herald., 1922-06-15
DEATH BLOW SEEN
TO PRESENT POLICY
Constructive Program of
Secretary of Agricul-
ture Highly Praised.


the Forest Service under control Of
Secretary of Interior Fall. accord
ing to Gray Silver. head of the farm
federation. in a statement issued
yesterday.
Alarmed at the recent support
given Secretary Fal! by the Presi-
dent in the leasing of newly ac-
quired naval oil and coal reserves.
Mr.. silver declares that a deluge OF
letters has been received from farm
leaders all over the country pro-
testing against the efforts of the
Secretary of Interior to control the
120. .OOO. 200 acres of forest lands.
Among the farmers. Mr.. silver de-
Clared. there is Il strong feeling of
apprehension that Falls plans for
the exploitation of natural re-
sources has the Presidents ap-
proval. and that the forest lands
are the next to be sacrificed.
Regarded as Death Blow.
That such a program would be a
death blow to the constructive
work of the Agriculture Depart
ment is the belief of Mr.. silver.
For more than twenty years. he
pointed out. this branch of the gov
ernment has maintained a policy OF
forest land development unequalled
by anything accomplished while the
forests were administered by the
Interior Department. Not only has
the Forest Service built roads and
reforested treeless lands. but it has
supervised the removal of timber
So as to insure a permanent sup
ply. he says
Mr.. Silver stated also that there
is Il feeling of resentment among
agricultural elements at the ap-
parent move to create a situation
Of embarrassment for the head Of
the Agriculture Department. Re-
calling the strong stand taken by
Secretary Wallace against the pro-
pcsals of Secretary Fall. Mr.. Silver
believes that an open Cabinet break
Is inevitable if the President
ignores Wallace's stand and ap-
proves the forest transfer.
Sees Popular support.
Referring to statements of farm
bloc leaders. who urge Secretary
Wallace to fight the proposal TO a
finish. Mr.. Silv,r said:
While believe that the trans
fer should be fought. it is hardly
fair to expect Sc sretary Wallace
to submit to the situation that
would be created il President
Harding sides with Fall He has
already made the issue clear. To
remain i'm the Cabinet longer than
to ascertain the Presidents stand
would he unnecessary. unless the
President side with him. Mr. Wal
lace is not the type of man to sub
nit to an enhancement. He will
resign. and he will have the sup
port of the right thinking people
Of the country in SO doing"
Mr. Silver expressed the belief
tina Secretary Falls efforts to oh
tain the forest lands involve more
than has been revealed. While Sec
retary Wallace so far has refrained
from alleging any irregularities in
the activities of the Secretary of
the Interior. Mr.. Silver called at
tention to the charges that have
been made in Congress.
These charges. he recalled. not
only accuse Secretary Fall of per-
sonally drafting legislation to
place the forest lands in his con-
troll. but caused the Cenate to in
stiEate a probe Of his disposal Of
the three naval oil reserves, ac-
quired from the Navy Department.
Departments Methods Contrasted.
Referring to what he terms the
economic ideals" of the two de-
partments. NJ. Silver contrasts the
methods of administration. Where
as the Interior Department is
looked upon as the real estate
agent of the government. he pointed
out. and as such has been the con-
stant target for attempted land
fraud. the Agriculture Department
has been free from this.
The public has a bad taste in
its mouth with respect to the In
terror Department" Mr.. Silver
stated. Memory of the Ballinger-
Pinchot scandal has been recalled
by the present controversy. 1t
remains to be seen whether the
fight to control the forest lands
will bring out motives not yet
revealed"
Testifies to Efficiency.
W. b. Jamison. counsellor and
former director of the American
Farm Bureau Federation. yesterday
testified to the efficiency of tine
Forest Service Himself a cattle
man with a ranch in Colorado. Mr.
Jamison stated that his contact
with cattlemen reveals a universal
Endorsement of the present Forest
Service administration
Previous to assumption of con-
troll by the Department of Agricul-
ture. Mr.. Jamison said. cattle herd
ers would move their stock from
valley to valley. destroying the
grass as they went. Homesteaders
were afforded no protection from
this practice. he declared How
ever. when this land was placed
with the Forest Service. Mr.. Jami-
son said. a system of land appor-
tionment was put into effect. As
a result. cattlemen pay to the
United States a grazing fee and
are guaranteed a permanent range
for their flocks-
Mr.. Jamison pointed out that the
public lands under the Interior De-
partment are still free lands" No
attempt. he said. has been made to
administer them in the interest of
permanent settlers.