Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-19
NAMING EASTMAN
HELD HOOVER TEST
Reappointment Seen Indica-
ton of independence of
Chief Executive.

President Hoover faced a real test Of
progressivism when he weighed the ar
guments for and against the reappoint-
ment of Joseph Eastman as member
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion.
Most railroad officials don't like Mr.
Eastmans views because he avowedly
leans toward Government ownership. AS
one railroad spokesman said the other
Gay, Mr.. Eastman is most ingenious in
devising ways and means OF trying to
conflscate railroad.
And yet Mr.. Hoover sent the nonina-
ton of Mr.. Eastman to the Senate and
that body confirmed him. This is be-
cause, although differing with Mr.. East
man, there is respect for his opinion
and conscientious application to his job.
There have probably been more dissent
ing opinions signed by Mr.. Eastman
than any other member of the Inter
state Commerce Commission in recent
years. He was originally appointed by
President Wilson.
In making public list of those who
Endorsed Mr.. Eastman the White House
revealed that only few railroad OFF,
Gals favored Mr.. Eastman's reappoint-
ment, but that many representatives OF
shippers organizations were outspok-
emily for him.
Presidents Dilemma.
Mr.. Hoovers dilemma was this: If
he failed to reappoint Mr.. Eastman he
would be charged with prejudice in
favor of the railroads, the Senate would
probably hesitate to confirm anybody in
his place, and situation similar to that
which arose when Commissioner ESch
failed of confirmation would probably
be brought about. and the Senate would
argue, not about the fitness of the indi-
vidual but the views he held on railroad
regulation.
The word has been passed around for
several weeks that the Progressive group
In the Senate was ready to battle for
Mr.. Eastman. A clear majority could
have been marshaled for the Eastman
side of the controversy If it had de-
veloped. Mr.. Hoover would have been
attacked by the ProgreSsives as failing
to give liberal" a chance. The Presi- |
dent avoided all that by calmly decid- !
ing to reappoint Mr.. Eastman in the
face OF determined opposition.
The Eastman appointment will be re-
garded as an indication of Herbert |
Hoovers independence. It will be par
ticularly well received in the West, and |
various Government commissions, so
many Of whom have become more or |
less inundated by political considera-
lions or at least fear of Senate pun
when they come up for reap
pointment. If there ever was a case of
individual and independent thinking, 1t |
is that of Commissioner Eastman, and
the fact that he can earn a reappoint-
ment is healthy sign in the evolution
Of government.
Not All Opposed.
It is not to be inferred, on the other
hand, that all the railroad authorities
opposed Mr.. Eastman, even though they
did not come forward with an indorse
ment. The truth is, many railroad men
have come to believe that any one who /
has sat on the commission for a number I
Of years is better than q novice, and
that anything which passes muster after
being considered by commission which
has both conservative and radical view
points represented on it is likely to get
the support OF public opinion.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, owing to the number of vacancies
that must occur through expiration of
terms, will probably be reconstructed
during the Hoover administration. Mr..
Eastman's reappointment will be q
source OF mueh encouragement to the
members OF the commits
sion, some of whom were discouraged |
when Mr.. Esch was rejected by the
Senate. The President is much more
familiar than any Of ais predecessors |
with railroad problems, but this is not |
saying that he has been particularly |
popular with railroad executives. In |
fact, there is lingering hostility here
and there as q result Of Mr.. Hoover's |
efforts to mediate In the shopmen's |
strike few years ago.
The argument brought to Mr.. Hoover, !
however, was that Mr.. Eastman had !
earned reappointment on the basis of |
the work he had done. and that it would |
be bad precedent to establish for the |
Chief Executive to attempt to use the :
power Of appointment to place on Gov |
eminent commissions only those men |
who agreed with his viewpoint. The |
purpose of Congress in putting Republi- |
cans and Democrats on the independent !
commissions was to have both view |
points represented, and Mr.. Hoover has
decided to follow the letter of the law
and to inquire only into the personal
integrity of the individual and not at
tempt to dictate the policies of the !
independent commissions by the selec-
ton beforehand of men whose views
are known to coincide with his own.
Copyright, 1927