Hungry Horse news. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1948-current, 1955-10-14
Questionable Choice

We question the wisdom of the national administra-
ton in appointing former Montana congressman Wes-
ley D'Ewart as Assistant Secretary Of Interior.
It is high position in the national government,
and one Of considerable consequence for western
state like Montana whose destiny is so closely aSSoci
ated with the Department Of Interior.
Mr.. D'Ewart was Montana congressman for 10
years, and Republican whip for the western states
While we disagree with number of his stands, the
man apparently has ability.
In 1854, Mr. D'Ewart became the Republican can
ddate to unSeat Senator James E. Murray. The cam
paign injected the 'phoney" Moscow influence over
Montana issue, something that Republicans now junket-
ing to the capital Of 1.-THE smiling Reds would just as
soon forget.
Senator Murray is not forgetting that campaign
and he should not.
It happens that the senator is chairman of the
Senate Interior and Insular Affairs committee, and
the senator from state to which Interior Department
policy and practices are especially important.
The Republican Administrators selection of the
losing candidate in so bitter campaign and under
the circumstances is not which indicates desire
of the executive branch to work in harmony with the
legislative branch
Mr.. D'Ewart incidentally has continued on the
federal payroll in Washington aide to Secretary
of Agriculture Benson.
We see the D'Ewart appointment as 'boner''
from the standpoint of harmony in the federal gov
eminent.
Furthermore the D'Ewart record on certain major
issues is one that large number of conservaonsts
question.
There was the wellknown D'Ewart sponsored bill
in the 83rd Congress which would have given western
cattlemen permanent rights to grazing the public
domain.
Provisions of this bill not only amazed conserva-
tonsts, they brought forth the term, lousy from
Secretary of Interior Douglas Mckay, DEwart's new
boss
Mckay said at that time: House Resolution 4O2s
would give cattemen vested rights to their grazing
permits - I'm an old cowhand and I'm confident vel
live up to the campaign pledge to do something fol
the cattlemen, but not at the expense of all the res
of the people"
Last month the National Congress of American In
dams meeting in Spokane passed resolution which
said in part: Whereas the National Congress of Amer
lean Indians is of the opinion that the record of Mr.
D'Ewart as member Of Congress and of the House
Committee Interior and InSular Affairs was one
which showed him to be unsympathetic toward the
Indian people and their efforts to maintain their dim
nishing land base: Now therefore be it resolved tha
President Eisenhower be advised Of such facts anG
that he be urged to desst from nominating Mr.
DEwart as Assistant Secretary of the Interior any
other position involving administration of Indian at
fairs
Last month the House considered and sent bacl
to committee, H. r. 1916, the Ellsworth timber ex
change BILL which would have permitted private tim
Der operators to cut their way into the national parks
Senator Murray states that Wesley D'Ewart was the
floor manager for this bill.
The new Assistant Secretary Of the Interior has
jurisdiction over federal grazing lands Indian affairs
and the National Park Service.
Murray in preparing his fight to block the D'Ewar
nomination from approval by the Senate says: g
believe too that the record Of my than 20 year:
in the U. S. Senate and previous experience in othe
elective offices, will show that have never beer
indicative against unsuccessful candidates who op
posed me, Mr.. DEwart did in 1854, even though IL
this latter instance the campaign tactics used agains
me were reprehensible."
The Hungry Horse News has not liked Mr.
D'Ewart's approach to number Of western prob
lems We said so before the last general election ant
ator Murray.
Ordinarily it would be an honor to have Mon
tanan appointed Assistant Secretary Of Interior. W.
do not feel that this is the case with Mr.. D'Ewart
appointment. MF