Reagan's Cabinet: Mixed Grades

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"Sic 'Em"

When James Watt was signed on as Interior Secretary, he told the President exactly what policies he wanted to pursue. Federal lands must be opened for development of energy and mineral resources, said Watt, pledging to undo "50 years or so of bad Government." Said a delighted Reagan: "Sic 'em." And Watt did, promptly becoming the most ideologically controversial member of the Cabinet. As he puts it: "I was brought in to yell down a new chain of command on environmental issues. I yelled, and to my surprise, I was obeyed." He proposed offering for lease 1 billion new acres of offshore tracts for energy exploration, despite ecologists' protests that drilling on many of the sites threatened coastline areas as well as endangered species. He also advocated selling energy and mineral lease rights in wilderness areas in Montana and other Western states.

Watt, 43, has managed to keep the full backing of the White House on matters of substance, though not of style. In seeking to redress what he calls the "environmental extremist" bias of the past, he has alienated not only liberal environmentalist groups like the Sierra Club but such conservative organizations as the National Wildlife Federation and the National Audubon Society. Even the Los Angeles Times, which endorsed Reagan's candidacy and his pro-development policy, has called for Watt's resignation.

Ideally, an Interior Secretary should try to balance the conflicting demands of development and conservation. Watt has yet to prove to critics that he cares very much about the latter. He far too often sounds as if he is still a litigator for the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which was founded by right-wing Brewer Joseph Coors and other businessmen to fight wilderness conservation efforts in the West. Last week, for example, Watt decreed that members of the National Park Service and top Interior Department aides should refrain from "wasting Government money by talking to national conservation leaders." He also requested, in a move of dubious legality, a list of department employees who are members of environmental groups. Although the Secretary might award himself an A for effort and many developers grade him A for achievement, others flunk him cold for his insensitive attitude toward conservation and his megawatt manner in dealing with controversy. Because it is not yet clear if his policies will improve the economy or endanger the environment, or both, he gets a C.

Farmer in the Dell

He is likable, charming and always has the best interests of farmers at heart. But Secretary of Agriculture John Block, 46, is regarded in Washington as something of a political lightweight, lacking the toughness and savvy to handle an all but impossible job. Time and again, Block has been outmaneuvered by powers within the Administration and on Capitol Hill who do not share his priorities, which are to make farming profitable again and to reduce the Government's role in agriculture.