The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-04-04
Appointiue Power
By ARTHUR KROCK

ton, was emphasized in two recent Senate
episodes and further stressed at dinner here
last night in honor of Aubrey Williams. This
viewpoint is that it is an intrusion on the
Presidents prerogatives, a challenge of his
responsibility under his oath, and almost
criminal conspiracy when the Senate rejects
one of his nominees for public office.
Comment by Mr.. Williams and his sup
porters, after the Senate overwhelmingly re-
jected his appointment to be REA Adrninistra-
tor, and by speakers at last nights dinner
who included Mrs. Roosevelt-bore the i'm
print of this line of thought
The REA (Rural Identification Administra-
tom has half billion dollars to spend in
bringing light and power to remote and back
ward farmsteads-one of the worthiest objec-
tives and best contributions of Mr.. Roosevelt's
New Deal. Like all such government projects
1t is susceptible to use in businesSlike way
its policies and procedures geared strictly to
the stated reasons for its creation; or its
activities can be directed to serve POLITICAL
factional or theological ends. Under an engi-
neer who is also conscious of it's humanitarian
purposes, and is good administrator, REA
becomes an agency which is efficient and
benevolent at the same time. But under an
administrator whose mind is more on theology,
factional politics or social work than on his
practical assignment REA becomes an in
strument for partisan advantage and radical
social reform"
The Senate, after much investigation of Mr.
Willimas' previous government service, pro-
fessed social-economic opinions and fractional
connections, decided by large majority that
he would be inclined to turn REA into such
an instrument and would not bring to his
job the general and particular efficiency it
requires. That was the tenor of the speeches
against him, and, though some of the ques-
tons addressed to him in committee dealt
with extraneous matters or were unworthy
Of the issue and had nothing to do with it, that
was clearly the ground for his rejection.
But his confirmation was denied by a COM
bination of Southern and anti-New Deal Dem
ocratic Senators with most of the Republi-
cans. And this fact plus the nature of some
of the committee questioning and the circum-
stance that Mr.. Williams belongs to the group
which calls itself 'liberal' and all others
''conservative or worse brought the protest
which exemplifies the point Of view herein
noted.
Mr.. Williams and his principal agrarian
sponsor, the National Farmers Union declar-
ed that the common people, had been be-
trayed' by the Senates action, that liberal
ISM had been victirnized once more by what
was implied to be an unholy political alliance
of illiberals, and that those guilty of the act
would hear from these common people in
electoral terms they would recognize Some
of the Senate oratory in Mr.. Williams behalf
was based on the position that presidential
appointees should be confirmed unless some
moral charge is made and proved against
them, or unfitness is demonstrated to the
point where the President would himself with
draw the nominations.
| At last nights dinner Mrs. Roosevelt link.
| ed Mr.. Williams indissolubly with the cause
of democracy" And Secretary Wallace left
the inference that the Senate rejected the
nominee because lone of Aubrey Williams
| greatest sins is believing that human erosion
| is just as important soil erosion
| Yet the Constitution imposes on the Presi-
dent the duty and responsibility of advising
with the Senate on appointments, and to the
Senate the authority to reject them Congress,
| Of which the Senate is a part, is the source
of the appropriations that are expended by
| agencies like the REA and of the legislative
conditions under which the expenditures are
to be made This legally establishes the veto
power to its deliberate judgment. And the
practical partnership of Congress with the
Presidents on appointments is further estab-
| lished by giving it the exclusive authority to
| appropriate for the executive branch or to de-
ny funds that are sought. In these commits
| sions there is no trace of the rubber-stamp
which the Senate and Congress would be if
appointments and appropriations could be de-
MED only on the conditions implied by the
critics.
| Something of the same reasoning was heard
when the President named Mr.. Wallace to
take over the full duty of Jesse H. Jones; and,
| after Congress separated the loan agencies
from the Commerce Department, the argu-
ment was repeated to those Senators who
thought Mr.. Wallace unqualified for what re-
NAMED Of the job. 1t prevailed in the second
instance. because Senate majority still feels
that a Cabinet appointee should not be reject
ed except on clear proof of general incom-
petence or moral turpitude. But it was I'M
successful when it extended to Mr.. Will
hams' appointment to head REA.
| REA has many functions. It may make self
lquidating, 35-year loans for rural electric
systems; for wiring, plumbing and pressure
water-systems in individual homes and on
farms. It may provide technical assistance to
new borrowers. And it may base extensions
| OF Its loaElng powers promised production
and conservation Of food for the special needs
| OF war Little in Mr. Williams public record
seems to qualify him to make these deci-
sions effectively York Times
| -V w
The Wyoming moose which is reported to
have attacked snowplow and three auto
mobiles is probably just undergoing spring
practice for a bout with a bulldozer.
Beef Situation Liquid headline. We pre-
Ter ours bit more dehydrated