Evening star., 1946-02-27
Speedy Confirmation
OF Krug as Successor
To Ickes Predicted
By Joseph A. Fox

speedy senate cOnnrmatlOn OF
j. A. (Cap) Krug, President
Truman's surprise selection for
Secretary of Interior, was fore
cast today on Capitol Hill, al
though some lawmakers ex-
pressed regret that the President
had not gone to the Far West
for a successor to Harold l..
IckeS. i
Mr.. Krug, former chairman of the
War Production Board, and earlier
power manager of the Tennessee
Valley Authority, was named yes-
terday by the President, who an
nounced the appointment at late
afternoon news conference.
Earlier, however, word had leaked
from the Capitol, where the Presi-
dent was lunching with Sehate
cronies, that the 38-year-old Krug,
who halls from Wisconsin, was to
inherit the cabinet portfolio va
Gated by the 7l-year- old Ickes in
bitter break with the President
over the nomination of Edwin w.
Pauley to be Undersecretary of the
Navy.
Never Figured in Speculation.
Mr.. Krug had never figured in
the speculation surrounding the
post which has been filled tempor-
arily since February Is by assistant
secretary Oscar L. Chapman. Up
to the time the appointment actually
was made, some thought it would
go to Senator OMahoney, Democrat,
OF Wyoming. Mr. Truman told his
news conference that he would have
liked to have had Senator OMa-
honey in the cabinet but thought his
talents could be used better in the
Senate where he has served IS years.
Senate Majority Leader Barkley
was happy that Senator OMahoney
was remaining, the President
commented.
The President, said incidentally,
that Mr.. Chapman, assistant
secretary for 13 years, would keep
that post.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico, chairman of the Senate
Public Lands Committee. which will
consider the Krug nomination. told
reporters that Il am disappointed"
that Mr.. Truman did not choose "a
man familiar with the problems of
our Western States" but he added
that the appointee met his first
specification that the new Interior
Secretary be man of intelligence.
integrity and ability
Was Personal Selection.
Senator Gordon, Republican, Of
Oregon, said Mr.. Krug has made
an outstanding record in the War
Production Board, and if he repeats,
ne is certain to please" He added.
however, that he had hoped the lob
would go to man from west of the
Mississippi.
Similar views were expressed by
Senator johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado, who thought that the
West would be "keenly disappoint-
ed although Mr. Krug had proved
an able administrator.
Those were the terms Mr.. Truman
used in describing his appointee to
reporters, saying he thought he
would do an excellent job because
Of his experience in administrative
positions.
Was he your personal selection?"
the President was asked.
With chuckle, Mr.. Truman said
yes, it happened that he was, and |
n answer to another question the
President said he had not told the
White House inner circle of his |
choice until yesterday morning.
Since Mr. Krug departed from the
WPB last fall, as the agency passed |
out of existence. he has acted as an
consultant to private
concerns.
He turned down a $75, ,0O0-a year
job as vice president of the Motion
Picture Producers and Distributors
Association last October, saying he
felt better equipped for industrial
work.