The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-02-14
RESIGNATION OF |CkES IS
 HOT SUBJECT
Reactions Are Started-. Western Man Sought for
 Interior Seueidryship


 WASHINGTON. Feb. i4.-The explosive exit of Harold L. Ickes from the cabinet showed President Truman today onto the toughest political spot of his White House career.
 In abrupt language, Ickes declar- ed the Presidents cabinet was one in which he could no longer serve and retain my self-respect.'"
 In even blunter language. Ickes called upon the Justice Department to investigate the truth of testi- mony which Edwin w. Pauley, MT. Truman's nominee for Undersecre- tary of Navy, has given in Senate hearings on his qualifications. Ick- es categorically charged that Pauley made statements under oath which were not true.
 This slam-bang leave taking of the man who has directed the De- partment of Interior since 1853 pos ed these immediate problems for MT. Truman
 Prooiems
 l. He has to select a new Sec retary of the Interior, and he was reported to be seeking an appointee of such top caliber that the nomi- nation would tend to offset the circumstances of Ickes resignation.
 ?. He faces the job of repairing whatever damage has been done in party ranks. Congressional cleo tions come up this fall, with presidential contest ahead in lg48 F and Ickes long has had sub stantial following in the New Deal wing of the party.
 3. He must decide whether to press for Pauley's confirmation to the Navy post, despite the fresh handicaps posed by Ickes' bitter attack.
 Political Dynamite
 4. He has to neutralize the poli- tical dynamite which Ickes created in post resignation statement that he did not care to continue in an administration "where I'm ex- pected to commit perjury for the sake of party"
 The end may not be yet. Ickes indicated he may have more to say about his charges that Pauley. Cal ifornia oil man, suggested to him in 1944 that $3o0.o0o could be raised from interested oil men for the Democratic campaign fund if the government did not push it's suit to establish title to off shore oil lands. It was President Truman's comment that Ickes could have been mistaken in this testimony that brought the resignation.
 Pauley To Appear
 The Senate Naval committee re- sumes hearings on the Pauley nom- ination next week, with Pauley scheduled to offer a rebuttal to the Ickes testimony. Ickes told report CTS his own reappearance before the committee depends on what Pauley has to say Monday"
 The resignation of Ickes as Sec retary of the Interior has touched off number of reactions One of these is campaign to replace Ickes with westerner
 Westerners To Act
 Governor Vail Pittman of New ada is urging the governors of ten other western states to back the appointment of western man for the Interior post. And he has sug- gested that they press the chair man of the Western Governors Conference--Mon c. Wallgren of Washington State-to initiate the movement.
 Pittman asserts that, under Ickes' administration, western interests suffered because western public land affairs were not administer ed in the best interests of it's in- dustries.
 Trumdn's Position
 A shrewd political observer once said that President Truman's sense of loyalty to his friends would bring him lot of grief. This may or may not prove true. Many folks admire that quality in MT. Truman The expressed hope is that his friends will lean backwards not to embarrass him that they will do their best to deserve his friendship and confidence.
 Apparently, Ickes doesn't believe this can be done.
 Some DO, Some Don't
 Some people like Ickes: some don't. But all agree that whenever he does anything of importance he puts on a good show. The buildup for the resignation was perfect.