The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-12
ADnrofConferenccs

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE crisis in
the relations between Secretary Noble and
Pension Commissioner Tanner, which, ac-
cording to the former, has been reached to
day, continues without settlement at late
hour tonight. Upon the best authority il
msy be said the commissioner has not been
removed, nor has his resignation been re-
quested by the president The same au-
thOrity says, what has been patent for
some time. that serious differences have
arisen between Secretary Noble and Com
missioner Tanner over questions concern
ing the administration of the pension bu-
reau. but not in any wise affecting the
commissioners personal sctlon IN the sense
of impuung any corru Jtion in his acts.
This same authority conceded that these
matters related principally TO the reratings
Of pension employers and officials of the
bureau and others, and to certain state
ments credited TO the commission In inter
views and speeches. That is the condition
OF affairs tonight, but when the authority
quoted wss asked If 1t would probably re-
main SO. he declined to commit himself,
saying he had no intention OF entering the
field of prophecy.
specting the case of Commissioners Tanner
and the unanimous impression Is change
Is imminent The commissioner has not
been at his Office to day. He spent most
of the afternoon at the white house IN c1n-
sultRtion with the president and Secretary
Noble. The secretary is reported to have
said the president must decide which one
of the two he will retain in his present po
sitiou, the commissioners OF himself, but he
will not talk of the matter TO newspaper
people and the commissioner at this time
is equally On-cOmmunicatlve. Since yes
terdAy The disposition OF the case has
been under Amusement at the WHITE
aN-
eral conferences with the president, and
Secretary Tracy, who is generally accepted
as the commissioners friend ana advocate.
has had many hearings, but the result OF
them all has not been declared.
AZ ia generally believed the principal
topic of discussion at these conferences
was what to do with Tanner IN case
change shall be made in the Office OF COM
missioner of pensions. Two appointments
have been discussed In this connection,
outside OF official circles-United States
marshal for the southern district of
New York and register OF the treasury,
The first, IL Is said, Com missioner Tanner
can have, II he leaves the pension bureau.
without any doubt 4s to the other Office.
the president is quoted as saying he had DO
intention of removing Gen. Rosecrans. Ii
was said to-day, however, that the presi-
dent was ignorant until yesterday OF the
fact that Rosecrans is drawing two salaries
from the government, one as register Of
the treasury and another as retired brign-
dier-general The gentleman who men,
toned this to him said the president was
much surprised at learning It. Tanner is
reported as being very reluctant 70 return
TO Brooklyn
With the rumors of a change has come
discussion of the possible successor
to Commissioner Tanner. Senator Hiscock
is credited with pushing the claims OF ex-
Pension Agent Pool of Syracuse, for the
place. EX Governor Foster OF Ohio, who
was alleged to have originated the scheme
80 ID fnr mil Tanner II
making him register of the treasury, Is said
u be supporting Gen. Charles Brown OF
Cincinnati, who was prominent candl-
date for appointment with Tanner. IL is
the general impression that New York viii
not again be favored II a change is made.
President Harrison, according To d dis
patch TO a New York paper, said TO
friend yesterday that Corporal Tanner
would have TO go out of the pension ottice
he said he was reluctant TO part with him
on account of the embarrassment IL would
place him in, considering the endorsement
given the commissioner at the Nil~aukee
encsmpmeDt; but he added, 1t was alto
Rether out of the question to keep him."
The president said be had repeatedly
talked 70 Commissioner Tanner and urged
him to give his tongue less exercise, but
that everywhere be went and upon the
slightest provoeation he put his foot
into il.
IL is understood the commissioners res
iQpatiOn is in the hands of the president
and his services Will be disposed Of within
q very few days. For ten days or more IL
has simply been a question OF how to drop
Tanner without offending the soldiers.
One report tonight was that President
Harrison had advised Commissioner Tan
ner &c resign. Gen. Alger, commander
in-chief of the G. A r.. Gov. Foraker. of
Ohio, and Commander Wilson of Kansas,
are all said to TO have teleRraphed Tanner
urging him not to resign. These mes
sages. together with the Influence of his
wife. are said 10 be Instrumental In hold
ing the commissioner from following
the advice of the president. To night a
committee of the G. A. K of the district,
headed by Gen BuTdette, ex commander
inehief called at the white house TO see
the president in behalf of the pension COM
missioner. but IL was after be mad retircd
several G.. A. r friends spent the evening
with the commissioner. but they declined
so say what. if anything, was the result
Of their conference. The commissioner
steadily denied himself 10 newspaper men.