Evening star., 1928-12-20
WEST NOMINATION
GIVEN APPROVAL
Fight on Floor of Senate
Expected Before Con-
firmation Vote.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Any further fight on the nomination
of Roy 0. West of Chicago to be Sec
retary of the Interior will be on the
floor of the Senate. His confirmation
has been favorably reported by the
Senate public lands committee by
vote of seven to three. but only after
Chairman Nye had read a statement
in Mr.. Vests presence in which he
said the appointment was unfortunate"
Vests nomination was sent to the
Senate along with that of William F.
Whiting, Secretary of Commerce. Whit
ing was confirmed several days ago,
but predictions that fight would be
made on West were borne out
He was questioned before the public
lands committee about the Salt Creek
Royalty oil lease and about his connec-
tionS with Samuel insult. power utility
magnate. The inquiry took on the char
acter of an oil investigation before 1t
was through, DR.. Hubert Work, former
Secretary of the Interior, and William
j. Donovan, assistant to the attorney
general, being called. 1t then shifted
back to West and after more talk of
Vests relations with insult and Nye's
statement, the vote followed.
Two Do Not Vote.
Nye, Republican. Senators Walsh of
Montana and Wagner of New York.
Democrats. voted against West. Those
voting for him were: Senators Oddie,
McNary. Glenn and Larrazolo, Repub-
llcanS and Pittman, Kendrick and Ash
urst, Democrats. Senators Smoot. Utah,
Republican, and Dill, Democrat. Wash
ington, did not vote.
In his statement, read before West
and committee members, Nye said there
was no question about the moral fitness
or the general qualifications of the Sec
retary. He declared that he based his
objection to him on his background and
his long connection with Samuel insult.
Remembering that the Federal
Power Commission (of which the Secre-
tary OF the Interior is a member) not
only has the power to grant leases upon
power sites in our great streams" Sena-
tor Nye said but has also the power of
fixing valuations of power developments,
1t is extremely hard for me. in view of
Mr.. Vests connections and background,
to feel that the great public interest in
volved in these power schemes fostered
under the leadership of the insult in
terestS. can be positive and secure in
the hands of Mr.. West"
says IAc AS UnDAdScus
After completing his statement, SEN
atOr Nye invited West to reply.
The Secretary said he felt that he was
| unbiased and had judicial mind, but
| that he was willing ito refrain very
carefully from participating in any de-
| ciSion or finding wherein the insult
properties are involved"
Senator Nye had previously read a
| report received from the Federal Water
Power Commission which said that there
| are 10 applications from insult COM
panies for waterpower licenses pending
| before the commission of which the
! Secretary of the Interior is a member
! The other members of the waterpower
commission are the Secretaries of War
and Agriculture.
| In the course of the hearing before
the committee, Senator Walsh of Mon
tana, said some committee members
we're not satisfied with the testimony
Mr. West gave the Senate campaign
funds investigating committee in Chi
cago in 1926. He was quoted at that
time as saying that he always" con-
suited insult only in a general way.
West replied that his use of the word
always, was wrong and that he con-
suited insult only in general way.
Vests friends are confident he will
be confirmed, but further opposition is
: expected A vote on confirmation may
not be reached until after the Christ
mas recess.