Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-14
Resignation Timed
By Ickes, Says Writer
Quits Cabinet With Stigma of
Political Disloyalty, He Adds
By David Laurence


Political Disloyalty, He Adds
BY David Laurence
The resignation of the Secretary Of
the Interior was doubtless timed by him
to achieve the benefit Of an attitude Of
righteousness which would obscure the
departure from the Presidents cabinet
Of the man who probably holds the
record for unpopularity among the per-
sons who have been in high Office In
the last decade.
For whatever may have been the
stormy course Of the Secretary in be-
ing utilized by past Democratic admin
istrations as chief hatchet-man, the
fact remains that he goes out of the
Government carrying the disapproval
OF the leaders Of the Democratic party
itself and with the stigma of political
disloyalty to Democratic President.
1t Is the business of Republicans and
opponents of the administration to level
their attacks against President Tru-
man and his appointees. 1t was shock
ing to political leaders to see the Sec
rotary Of the Interior engaged in tor
pedoing presidential appointment.
Mr.. Truman says he continues to
support Mr.. Pauley's nomination and
that he does so because he thinks him
to be an honest man. This is but an
other way Of saying that, whatever may
have been Mr.. Pauley's political activi-
ties in the Office of treasurer of the
Democratic National Committee and
whatever may have been his business
connections before, the President firm
ly believes that if Mr.. Pauley becomes
the employe Of Uncle Sam, he would
look out for Uncle Sans interests. Any
other innuendo implies an attack on
the integrity and fundamental honesty
of Mr.. Pauley.
Fidelity to Friends.
The latter may not be qualified to be
Secretary of the Navy because he may
be unsympathetic with the retention by
the Navy of its independent status in
the armed services, but the controversy
raging in the Senate revolves around
the personal honesty and integrity of
Mr.. Pauley. Small wonder that Mr..
Truman, with characteristic fidelity to
his friends insists that the nominee is
an honest man and would conduct his
affairs for the Government in a man.
ner beyond reproach.
The Secretary of the Interior chose
to attack Mr.. Pauley before a Con-
gressional Committee and he probably
never would have done so If he had
not already been told some time ago
that he was not to be permitted to
remain in the cabinet 1t may be that
the Secretary felt aggrieved at Mr.. Tru-
mans desire to terminate his services
and thought it necessary to take a
parting shot at the President and clothe
his own resignation with an aura Of
protest against the making of the Pauley
nomination.
1t was foregone conclusion, as soon
as Mr.. Truman took the oath of office,
that he would not tolerate In his cabi-
net man who took sadistic delight
in assassinating the character of other
persons and who could not therefore
help but increase the number Of enc
mics Of the administration.
"Left-Wing" Maneuver Seen.
There Is another significance to the
episode. The 'left-wing" is riding Mr..
Truman these days by putting out ru-
mors that he will not run in 1948 and
spreading stories tending to discredit
the President. 1t is palpable maneuver
designed to coerce the President to turn
to the left lest he lose the left-wing
labor support. The truth is the left
wing cannot form a third party be-
cause, If it did, the White House would
be handed over on platter to a Re-
publican President. Certainly the re-
election of Mr.. Truman would seem
to be far more advantageous to labor
than the election of conservative like
John Bricker or some one who holds
his views on public questions.
So it would appear that the threats of
the left-wing are, aimed at illuminating
Mr.. Truman. His chief cause of con-
Germ might we'll be the growing number
OF middle-of- the-road voters who are
rapidly being forced reluctantly into
the Republican camp, but who would
rally to Mr.. Truman's support and help
elect him in 1913 if he manifested the
courage to rid himself both of reaction
airy and radical advisers and follow the
course that protects the public inter-
est irrespective of which economic group
is offended by the process
Mr.. Humans administration will
be better because it will have a new
Secretary of the Interior-a man from
the Pacific Coast area, which region
is entitled to the post. 1t may be that
Mr.. Truman will shift Secretary Schwel-
lenbach from the Department of Labor
to the Department of Interior. Mr..
Schwellenbach comes from the State
OF Washington. This would give an
opportunity to make John r. Steel
man Secretary of Labor, which would
be another good appointment, for he
has the confidence of both labor and
management groups.
Reproduction Rishts Reserved)
A Dancer Emphnsized