Evening star., 1930-12-08
Hoover Has Strong Support
In Selection of Labor Head

President Hoover's refusal TO recognize
the right OF the American Federation
OF Labor to have continuous represer-
tation at the head of the Department of
Labor in the Federal Government is
strongly approved in public comments
on the controversy. It Is held, as stated
by the President, that cabinet position
should be flled without any RESTRICTION
on the field of selection. William N.
Doak, afnliated with the railroad or
ganizations, is held by q large part of
the public to be qualified for the post.
President Hoover plainly selected
Mr.. Doak for his personal record and
qualities rather than because he rep
resented particular group in the labor
movement" says the New York Herald
Tribune, with the contention that 1T Is
not the American tradition, and 1t
should not be to select cabinet members
as representatives of particular organi-
zations." The Chicago Daily News adds
its opinion: President Green of the
American Federation of Labor threat
ems to fight the nomination when 1t
comes before the Senate. If he can
show that Mr.. Doek is personally un-
worthy Of the post, his fight ought to
succeed. If he cannot, the Senate
should not be swayed by his protests"
Quoting the Presidents statement
ciple Of debarment of the railway en-
ployes, or other labor unions or as
sociations, or any labor man in the
United States from the opportunity and
the aspiration to obtain any office in the
land" the Charleston Is. c. Eve
ming Post concludes: "Mr. Green
has put his great organization in a
hopelessly wrong attitude before the
American people. Mr.. Hoover has re-
asserted the American doctrine" The
Lincoln State Journal declares: "For a
time people were not sure whether it
was President Green or President
Hoover who was selecting q successor
to 'Puddler Jim Davis. Hoover won in
the end-that is, unless the Senate
balks.''
"a Secretary of Labor capable of tax
ing an economic, rather than political,
view OF labor and its problems Is needed
there. If Mr.. Doak happens to fill that
bill, fine," thinks the Dayton Daily
News. The Akron Beacon Journal
argues: This quarrel in the ranks Is
hardly likely to promote the influence
Of labor in the cabinet. But for
once the incident shows that President
Hoover has revealed q talent for deci-
sion. Doak was his supporter in the
1928 campaign. Green was not. Doak
comes from a section whose political
AIAcluSIllp Lne FTeSlueLC mas Deen at
much pains to win. The country will
judge the new Secretary by the way he
administers his official duties. Now that
he is chosen, his labor friends would do
well to Join with him in making good,
rather than putting distractions in
his way"
1.-The honor rendered DR.. Doak," in
the Judgment Of the Philadelphia Eve
ming Bulletin, "is a distinct recognition
OF organized labor in the United States,
in no whit less than If an off1cial of the
American Federation of Labor had been
named to the post. If 1t has the ap-
pearance in any way of being ininnical
or in any way uncomfortable for the
A. F. Of L., 1t Is merely because the Of
flcials of the federation have been too
jealous Of their own interest in assert
ing their right to dictate to the Presi-
dent in this matter of Nationwide in
terest and concern"
Emphasizing the fact that "if Mr..
Doak Is confirmed, he will be the
second Virginian in the cabinet in
thTee-quarters Of century" the
Roanoke World-News states as to the
effect Of the appointment: 'That an
official Of the rail brotherhoods should
come into office as Secretary of Labor
just at the time those brotherhoods