The Alaska daily empire., 1923-01-03
FALLS RESIGNATION.

In the forthcoming re ignaIon of Secretary A B Fall from his position the head of the Department Of the Interior. Alaska will lose aycwed friend
 nd one who has sought in the light the knowledge he had information obtained from various sources prove his friendship in practical ways It does not follow that because many residents of Alaska have not aways agreed with the wisdom of the steps he at one time advocated they did not realize the sincerity of his desire to aid the Territory This has never been questioned by any responsible individual authority
 Signs are net lacking that Mr. Fall responsive to some of the objections raised to certain sou- tions Alaskas problems suggested by him. Al though at time in his administration, he seemed de etermned force certain changes in the alignment o Federal bureaus in the Territory without consult ing eeal sentiment-eyincing apparent desire to put into fierce preconceiyed policies without due con sideraton of all the efects-recent developments n- dicated possible change of mind by him. From being certain that he knew the real nature of Alaskan problems and the of solving them, he has ap- parently progressed to point of realization of the need for closer study of such problems. That there is in progress such study for the Department of Intericr is secret and the nature of this study from what be learned is probably the first real, practical effort made along this line The failure of the Secretary te make any detailed recommendations for Alaskan policy in his recent annual seport at staches significance to the survey it would not other wise have possessed, it logical conclude that he Is awaiting it's completion before committing himself to definite program
 MT. Fall has been sincere in his belief that Alaska once freed from the incubus of top-heavy Federal administration, would make rapid progress indus trial development His desire to bring about remedial action was and is, not less sincere In view of the fact that he realized the necessity for sst accomplish. minute survey of the field before at tempting to effect a remedy. coupled with his ac- kncwedged friendlness desire to aid it is unfor tunate for the Territory that he has presented his resignation It is greatly 10 be desired that such survey be made by who is in no way con nected with any of the bureaus funconing in Alaska or connected with them outside of the Territory It frees it from possible bias, or prejudice which con sccusly unconscously. might be present under other circumstances
 The official announcement that Secretary Fall is to resign did not come without it's foecastng shadow and occasions very little surprise While if is un doubtedy voluntary action on his part and no profit can come from speeulatng it's caue, the fact that ms championship of the proposal to consolidate the responsibility of all public resources under one de- partment was futile is the most probable cause for the resignation. On this reform he had staked much He advocated it eourageousy under the conviction that it would lead 10 uniform policy of ra- tiona development of all public resources and in j creased governmental efficiency The storm of criticism "hlch the movement aroused was oentered largely asaihst him although lie was but vocing a measure iohs heia py many national leaders be vital i'm governmental reforms This criticism created an ad verse sentiment to the Secretary among a certain in huehtal element, politically, and would probably have hahdicapped his effectiveness in office during the re- mander of this Administration In resisnine b v,iui not only step out of situation which is personally hot agreeable 10 him but will tend to relieve the Ireaueht whose elose personal friend he is from any possible embarrassment in future dealings win .noSe Wno nave opposed the policies advocated by MT. Fall '