The Washington herald., 1922-06-11
Forest Service Transfer
Likely to Cause Cabi-
net Break.
FARMERS PROTEST
PROPOSED CHANGE
Over 200 Unsolicited Lee
tiers Against Transfer
Shown Harding.

unless plans for reorga nizztIon Of
the government departments are
altered. according TO friends close
TO the head OF the Agriculture De-
partment.
The move that would force Sec
retary wallace to resign is the re-
ported Endorsement by the President
OF Secretary Of Interior Falls plan
to transfer the United States Forest
Service from the Agriculture to the
Interior Department. II is believed
the reorganization bill will be sub
m!tted by President Harding %
Congress about the FIRST Of July and
will have his approval Of the
transfer.
In view OF the. strained relations
between the two department heads
over the proposed change. and o.
the definite stand taken by secre-
tary Wallace against such a move,
it is pointed out that the indots--
ment by the President Of the forest
transfer would be equivalent 10 ask
ing the Secretary of Agriculture for
his resignation. And there is little
doubt In the minds Of his friends
that Secretary Wallace would re-
sign II is known that he hes been
urged to do so ~ the President
sides with his former Senate col
league. not only by friends. but by
scores Of farm organizations and
agricultural interests
FaII's Intentions Qaesttoped.
Transfer Of the Forest Service
would not in itself lmpel the resiE-
nation Of the Secretary Of ACricuI-
| ture, Il Is believed. But the fact
that this shift has been linked with
other efforts OF Secretary Fall to
obtain possession OF natural re-
sources in Alaska and the United
States has raised a question in the
minds OF conserva tionists as 10
what he intends doing with them.
The Forest Service controls l2O.-
oo0.oo acres Of mineral and timber
lands As cited by the Secretary of
the Interior. his reason for asking
that this be placed in his control is
to promote efficiency and TO clint
nate duplication of work" in the
two departments. According 20
forest officials this is the first time
in twenty years that charges Of In
efficiency have been brought again4t
that bureau. And declaring IN
branch OF the government Is the
most efficient in any Department.
Secretary Wallace produces NOR.
than 200 unsolicited letters from or
ganizations OF ranchers. foresters
and farmers. protesting the PR
posed transfer and praising the
work OF the Forest Service.
Storm Of Opposition.
Introduction OF four different bills
effecting the transfer in Congress
less than a year ago brought such
storm OF opposition that all es-
forts to have them passed were
abandoned. The "conservatfon
bloc" however. anticipated that the
change would be included in tie.
REORGANIZATION bill. Although there
is strong opposition by members
who believe that the natural re-
sources should not be turned over
to private Interests. il is recognized
that the Presidents Endorsement as
the Fall plan" would weaken on
position.
Secretary Fail has announced ths.
he will open the mineral and tim
Der lands to private exploitation.
He hes said he will ask Congress
TO provide revolving fund with
which to develop the resources
With a ConGressionsi appropriation.
he has stated. he will build paper
mills. open mines, erect ore smell
ters. etc. These will be operated
under his direction until they be-
come self-sustaininE, at which time
they will be sold to private invest
ors.
This IS one Of the causes q. the
strong opposition OF the Agricul-
ture head to giving the Secretary
Of Interior the Forest Service The
plan TO exploit public resources on
this scale. II is reported. ha.
aroused not only the apprehension
of the Secretary Of Agriculture. but
has resulted in direct charges of
another public land scandal by con-
servationists
Conservstionists Back Him.
In the position he has taken or
4 posing the Forest transfer. Secre-
tsry wallace is known 20 have the
backing Of the conservation ele-
ment of both parties These groups
are said 10 be willing 10 accede 20
1 certain minor shifts in the reer-
ganization. However, they have
raised the question as to whether
the real motive back Of the pro-
posed change is efficiency.
II IS pointed out that since his
accession to the head Of the Inte-
rior Department Secretary Pail
has acquired control of millions Of
dollars OF wealth in natural re-
sources Through negotiation vsth
other department heads he has
added 20 his department. the rich
tChickaloon coal mines OF Alaska.
also the Mstanuska zelda. both
of which were set aside for use By
the Pacific feet. Three naval oil
reserves in Wyoming and tcaiifor-
MIA the leasing OF which q being
Investigated by the Senate. are
other instances. ~
The issue at stake H. not only
the transfer OF the Forest Service.
IL Is explained by Secretary WAL
laee's friends. but whether secre-
tary FAN will have the support ef
IfhE pr&rfa~na In MI