The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-21
MAY SHAKE WHOLE
REPUBLICAN, PARTY
President Taft Consents 10 Pub.
lie Investigation of Ballinger-
PiHchot Fight.
SECRETARY HAS SERVED
ULTIMATUM UPON TAFT
Would Not Remain in Cabinet
With Cloud Hanging
Over Him.

WASHINGTON. Dee. 2O.--Prcsidcnt
Taft today Yielded 10 the demands OF
both Secretary Baliinger and his critics
for Il public investigation of the whole
subject matter underlying the so-called
Rallinser- Pinchot controversy
Mr.. Ballinger this afternoon served up
on the president virtually an ultimatum
to tho effect that such an investigation
was indeed the price Of his remaining in
the cabinet, He made il C!car il!at he
was no longer willing 10 sit silent and
wait for the thing To blow over
Taft Seems Worried
MIR. TAFT. II is said, reluctantly admit
ted the disappointment OF his hope that
the country at large would accept as
final his own vlndlcauon Of Mr., Balinger
in his dismissal OF In" charges brought
against the secretary OF the interior by
=. Il. GlaEls, former special agent of the
land office. and his conclusion that the
investigation demand by both sides was
inevitable.
Mr.. Bplinger's attitude in this matter
has the support o! leading Republicans
in both branches OF congrcss-senators
and representatives. who feel that, en-
tircly apart from the merits OF the con-
trorersy itself. fostering sore OF this
character must poison the whole system
OF the party in power. aad that IL Is high
time 10 resort To the lance.
These leaders. determined that cleans
ing OF this wound is necessary, have not
hesitatcd TO go 10 the White house and
impress their views upon MIR. TAFT. Con-
ferences OF confidential character. in
which members OF the cabinet. party lead
erS In both houses of congress and the
been held in the last few DAYS. They
eliminated today when Secretary bali
niger. Attorney-General WlckeTSham ana
Postmaster General Hitchcock met in MI.
understands office and proceeded thence
10 the White house. where the matter
was laid before the president
Intolerable Situation.
Mr.. Ballingcr told the president it is
said that the situation had become in
tolerablc TO him and that though tho SEN
ate charges against him had come from
irresponsible persons. he could no longer
sit supinfly by. and in Justice TO himself
he felt compelled 10 insist upon an lu-
Nestigation.
The president was given TO understand
that Mr.. BallinGers demand carried with
il the endorsement OF both Mr.. Wicker
sham and Mr. Bltchcock u Is known
tonight that he has the sympathy also
Of other members OF the cabinet.
Tomorrow is cabinet day. Ther" can
be little doubt that this Will be one of tue
important subjects OF the meeting. Pre-
sumbably this Is one OF the reasons, mat
tho Investigation. backed BY the admins
tration. will not he hroached IN congress
before The holiday recess.
Contributing Causes.
Several things have served TO brins tho
rescntative Hitchcock. Democrat OF
Nebraska in the house a few days ago,
demanding action upon his resolution
providing loV an Investigation OF Inc
land Office, was factor. Mr.. Balltn-
ger. il is said, feared that this resolu-
ton nigh, be laid upon the table b.
the Republican majority and that such
action would he construed by his enemies
as an effort on the part OF the admin
istratiou TO "whitewash" him
y few days ago he received pointed
advice from "A clos" personal friend, .
man who has recently LEFT tho govern
mrnt service. who has himself been an
Investigator of the department Of Justice
and who is an expert ON land laws, urg-
ing Just such an ultimstum a. AR Bal
lugcr carried to the White House today.
He impressed upon tho secretary the con-
viclinu that the time had come when
he must either d"mand an acquiita! or
vclirc 10 private liCe.
Significant Aspects.
-Four important aspects OF The silua ton
arc taken into consideration by party
leaders:
First-The effect upon the future or
the Republican party and Of the TAFT
administration If attacks upon the in
tsgritv OF member Of the president 5
official family may bc made with impun-
ity and allowed TO pass unanswered. even
unchallcnscd.
Continued on Page Two.