The Washington herald., 1922-06-13
SEC'Y WALLACE
URGED TOSTAY
IN TnECABINET
Congressmen Advise Him
To Fight Forest Serv-
ice Transfer.
HARDING SUPPORTS
FALLS PROPOSAL
Farm Bloc Promises to
Aid Chief of Depart
ment of Agriculture.


Secretary Of Agriculture Wallace
will stay in the Cabinet and fight TO
q finish the proposed transfer o.
the Forest Service from his juris-
diction to the Interior Department.
II he heeds the counsel OF his sup
porters, IL was stated yesterday By
leaders Of the farm bloc in Con-
gress
Farm bloc leaders, it was said.
will get in touch with Secretary
Wallace Immediately upon his re-
turn to Washington and insist that
he reconsider his recent reported
determination 20 resign in the event
his wishes were not considered In
reaching a decision on the transfer.
In the event Mr.. wallace will con-
sent to fight for the retention Of the
Forest Service. IL is stated. he will
have the support OF all members OF
the farm bloc in Congress ans
also every agricultural organization
throughout the country.
President Supports Fall
That no action will be taken
pending a final decision in the mat
ter by the President is the belief
Of Mr.. ws1lace's Congressional ad-
herents- II was pointed out that
while the President has indicated
he was IN thorough accord with Sec
retary Fall in some OF his plans. ne
had not yet announced a decision as
TO the fate of the Forest Service.
In urging that the Secretary OF
Agriculture continue his night lead
ers point out that the Forest Sers-
ice cannot be transferred to the In
terror Department except by an act
OF Congress. This move was at
tempted in four different bills Su.-
mitted to Congress during the past
year. all of which were abs ndcned
because OF overwhelming opposition.
it is stated Agriculturalists pre-
dict any similar legislation would
meet the same fate. In view of this.
IL is said. Secretary wallace need
have little fear that the transfer
will be made
However. It is pointed out that
none Of these bills had the tn-
dorsement of the President. Ard
while opposition may have dis
couraged previous legislation. Il -
admitted that inclusion OF the
transfer in the Presidents reor-
ganizstion Recommendation to
Congress would add greatly TO the
chance OF passage.
Can't Lessen Estrsnseueut.
Friends Of Secretary wallace feel
that while Congressional support
might save the forest transfer. IL
could not lessen the estrargeme
that would be caused by the PreSi-
dents approval OF secretEry ta,rs
proposal.
Added to the support which would
Frnvla . he
wallace. II is pointed out. would
have the backing of the conserva-
tion forces in Congress Members
Of this group look upon the con-
troversy over the forest transfer as
the issue which will determine the
fate Of Secretary Falls plan Of
public land exploitation, Il Is sad.
For that reason the proposed
change has attracted more attsn-
tion, IL is stated, than would be
warranted by an interdepartmental
shifting OF bureaus. Moreover. the
conservationists are concerned over
the attitude Of the President toward
the policy adopted by the Secretary
of Interior. President HardinSs
Endorsement of the naval oil re-
serve leases granted by Secretary
Fall has not only aroused con-
servstionists' apprehension, but is
regarded by friends Of the Forest
Service as an indication OF what
may be done TO that bureau.
Best Administrative Policy.
The Secretary OF Agriculture SO
far has opposed Secretary Falls
efforts to secure the Forest Service
only on the grounds that Il would
be the best administrative policy
to keep the bureau where q is.
However, friends of the Agricul-
ture Department IN Congress and
outside the government are said to
question the motive behind the
move. Conservationists charge
that the proposed shift is but part
of a general program and should
bear the closest scrutiny.
Previously, farm bloc leaders
state. the Interior Department mas
been subjected to attempted manip-
ulations by private interests en-
desvoring TO secure concessions.
The 12o,ooo.ooo acres Of minerals
and timber IN the Forest Service
was removed from the Interior De-
partment for this reason, IL h
stated. And conservationists feel
that Congress should move slowly
in disturbing this portion Of the
national wealth that has been pre-
served by the Department Of AgrI-
culture
Should the Cabinet controversy
create a situation of embarrars-
ment for the Secretary OF AEricul-
ture, members Of the farm bloc
declared. they will not abandon the
fight even II he resigns. And as
stated by one prominent member
yesterday. The agricultural ard
conservation elements in both ,
houses will not only fight the for
est transfer: they are anxious 20
back the Secretary OF Agriculture
in his opposition 20 Secretary Fails
campaign OF exploitation. He has
succeeded in acquiring and leasing
the naval reserves and Alaska coal
fields, but I am confident he will
be stopped when he tackles the De-
partment of Agriculture.