The San Francisco call., 1909-09-13
BAll|NGfR TO QUIT
PLACE IN CABINET
Washington Advices Say Presi-
dent Is Not Satisfied With
Explanation of Coal Deal
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

NEW YORK, Sept. PA special to
the World from Washington says:
Secretary Ballinger. it is understood.
will retire from the Taft cabinet. This
does not mean that his resignation will
be Immediately accepted. 1t is the in
formation of his subordinates that the
president is not satisfied with the ex-
plantations which have been given re-
garding his connection with the Cum
ningham coal tract in Alaska. So far
as known the fntimation of wrongdoing
on the part of the secretary of the in
terror has not been established
"The secretary's connection with the
Cunningham deal has been explained
as entirely proper in a professional
way. 1t is mainly a question of good
TASTE
Important financial interests have
backed the Cunningham people in their
efforts to secure these valuable coal
lands in Alaska. The issue is to be
fought out before the department. The
official position of the secretary will
have nothing to do with the outcome.
Nevertheless his friends in the depart
ment think that in the end he will be
compelled to retire.
BALLINGER TO ACCOMPANY TAFT
"At present every effort will be
made to give the semblance of good
feeling and confidence between the
president and his secretary of the in
terror. Ballinger will be with the
president part of the time on his west
ern journey and nothing will be said
or done to indicate that the president
expects to lose Ballinger as cabinet
officer. But these amenities will not
save him. He must retire, and it is ex-
pected that he can do this in way
that will not be personally embarrass-
ing either to the president or Ballinger.
L. r. CLAWS, the inspector for
the head of his chief in COM
planning to the attorney general,
has been very strong against Ballinger
in his reports. He has worked by
Forester Pinchot in the effort to bring
to the attention of the president the
relation of Secretary Ballinger to the
Alaskan coal deal He is now attend
ing to his ordinary official duties in the
department. Ballinger unquestionably
would not stand for this if he had full
swing I'm his own department.
A special to the World from Bever-
ly takes a different view of the situa-
tion. Tt says:
Attorney General Wickersham, after
conference with Secretary Ballinger
spent this morning and this afternoon
with the president. The two discussed
the report of the commission to reor-
ganize the interstate commerce COM
mission, the bureau of corporations and
the department of justice.
Although no statement was given
out today, it is understood that the
president has reached decision in the
Ballinger-Pinchot affair, and 1t it ex-
pected that the decision will be an
nounced tomorrow, or at any rate be-
fore the president starts on his western
trip.
BOTH MEN MAY BE UPHELD
1T is probable the decision will favor
Ballinger, but that it will not carry
with it the dismissal of Pinchot.
Whether there will be such criticism as
to call for the resignation of the chief
forester remains to be seen.
The decision is expected to assert
that both men in the controversy have
the same object in view-the conserva-
tion of the natural resources of the
country-but that Secretary Ballinger
has interpreted the law strictly, and that
withdrawal of lands from public entry
can not proceed with the broad sweep
of the Pinchot enthusiasm under pres