Evening star., 1944-04-29
Forresta|Gets
Strong Backing
Funeral Services for
Secretary Will Be
Held Monday
BY the Associated Press.

~ bAaS <hoootloSCu iCsos
Strong congressional backing
developed today for the appoint
ment of James v. Forrestal, ST.
year-old Undersecretary of the
Navy, to the cabinet post made
vacant yesterday by the death of
Secretary Frank Knox.
The 70-year-old Secretary, who
died of heart attack at his home
here, had served just a few weeks
short of four years as one of two
Republicans President Roosevelt
appointed as cabinet members in
1910. The other is Secretary of War
Stimson.
No one in Congress professed to
know the Presidents intention. The
Chief Executive himself gave no hint
he had considered it. There were
some who believed it probable that
either MIR. Forrestal would be moved
up Immediately or another Demo-
crat named. Others expressed belief
that Mr.. Roosevelt would seek to fill
the spot with another Republican
in order to continue the policy he
began with the appointment of Sec
retaries Stimson and Knox.
Forrestal World War Veteran.
The promotion of Mr.. Forrestal
would place native New Yorker,
who served in the naval air service
in the World War, in administrative
charge of the worlds largest naval
establishment.
Members of both the Senate and
House Naval Affairs Committees,
who have come in close contact with
Mr.. Forrestal, joined in urging the
appointment of the slender, firm
jawed Undersecretary, who has
nearly always had a ready answer
for their questions when he has
appeared before them on fleet mat
ters.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, said he was greatly impressed
with tae efficient matter in which
Mr.. Forrestal, former Wall Street
banker, had operated. Chairman
Vinson and Representative Hebert,
Democrat, of Louisiana, of the
House Committee said they thought
he was "the logical man" for the
place.
Senator Brewster, Republican, of
Maine, a member of both the Naval
Affairs and Truman War Investigate
ing Committees, remarked that Mr..
Forrestal always seemed to know
the answer to knotty naval ques-
tions, adding that he had co-op-
Grated fully with congressional in
vestigating committee in ferreting
out mistakes in the war effort.
Strassen Held Possibility.
If the President decided to name
Republican, there was some
thought that the choice might fall
on 1t. Comdr. Harold E. Stassen,
youthful former governor of Min
nesota, now serving in the Pacific.
Meanwhile, as expressions of sor-
row came from every quarter, ar
rangements went forward for the
funeral of Mr.. Knox at pm. Mon
day at Mount Pleasant Congrega-
tional Church. The rites will be
conducted by DR.. Fred S. Busch
meyer, assisted by Navy Chaplain S.
W. Salisbury, and burial will be in
Arlington National Cemetery with
full military honors. Rear Admiral
Louis E. Denfleld will be the escort
commander.
The Navy announced that admit
tance to the service will be by card
only and said that cards of SYM
pathy should be addressed to the
chapel of Joseph Gawler's Sons, 1855
Pennsylvania avenue NV.
President Roosevelt is not expected
to attend the services, according to
the Associated Press correspondent
with the President in the South
Mr.. Roosevelt left Washington three