Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-03

constitute a reputation of the
conservation and power policies of
three and one-half years of the
Eisenhower administration.
Neither a McKoy Nor on lckes
Fred Seaton, Nebraska publish.
er, former Senator, former Penta-
gdh trouble-shooter. and presently
a White House aide, is apparently
neither Douglas Mckay nor Q
Harold IckeS. The news of his
appointment came as a pleasant
surprise to Senator Morse, and
other Northwest Senators who are
particularly conscious of policies
which concern natural resources.
Senator James Murray, Democrat
OF Montana, and Senator Richard
Neuberger, also an Oregon Demo-
crat, found the appointment quite
agreeable. It appeared that the
Secretary designate would be con-
firmed easily and take over his
duties by the middle of this week.
There was a bit of initial mys-
terry about the amiable acceptance
OF Mr.. Seaton by these Democrats.
Mr.. Seaton had said on Monday
that he thought the basic admin
istration water and power policies
not only make sense, but will
make progress" He could be speak,
ing only of the partnership" poll
icy which many Democrats have
found so abhorrent. But, as one
Democrat put it, there are part.
nerships and there are partner
ships" That the effect depends
mainly on where the emphasis is
applied is the unanimous reasoning
OF the Morse-Murray faction. The
feeling was fairly general also
among champions of public power
in and out of Congress that any
choice will be an improvement.
Then there were other reasons
for Mr.. Seaton's welcome on Capt.
toll Hill, The new Secretary, owner
OF a 95-acre farm in Nebraska. is
known to be intensely interested
in soil conservation-a trait easily
admired by Senator from the
Northwest. And there was his vot-
ing record. scant as it was, as a
Senator for one year Che filled the
vacancy created by the death of
Senator Kenneth Wherry in 1882.
Twice he voted against motions
to reduce flood control funds. He
voted for providing funds for a
survey Of Niagara power develop
ment. and against recommitting a
bill on the st. Lawrence Seaway
project. But best of all-in the view
OF the Notwithstanding voted
with the liberals against establish
ing and confirming State titles to
the oil-rich tidelands.
During his year in the Senate.
he voted with his party only SO
per cent of the time, while more
orthodox Republicans established
a party unity record Of 80 to 95
per cent.
Reputation?
Senator Neuberger, who will help
Senator Morse campaign in Oregon
against Mr.. Mckay. saw the snomi-
nation as clear reputation Of
McKay's policies" He reasoned
that If Ike had wanted to ratify
Hells Canyon, AL Serena and drill
ing on wildlife preserves, he would
have named Mr.. Davis" or someone
committed to Mr.. McKay's admin
istration in the department.
The power issue. of which the
Hells Canyon project is a symbol,
involves the question Of whether
the Government or private capital
will build the dams that will
harness the turbulent streams Of
the West. The liberals will not
have long to wait to learn exactly
where Mr.. Seaton stands on the
issue Of public power VS.. private
power. Sooner or later he will be
called upon to express his opinion
OF an application by the Pacific
Northwest Power Co. to develop
privately a stretch Of the Snake
River below the Hells Canyon site
which reclamationists and conser-
yationists have planned to develop
fully with the kind Of multi-purpose
dam private industry is reluctant
to build.
The day following Mr.. Seaton's
appointment. hopeful Democrats
began circulating q report urging
the Justice Department to cancel
the mining patents granted to the
AL Serena Mining Co. in the Rogue
r,ouflvuaa -, NJ. A a.