The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-09
BALLINGER ON
The DEFENSIVE
CONCLUSION FROM WAY TAFT
TREATS HIS SECRETARY OF
INTERIOR AT BEVERLY.

Beverly, Mass, Sept. 9.-Secretary OF
the Interior Ballinger had another long
conference with President Taft last
night. 1t is announced at the conclu-
sion that no statement win be forth
coming. 1t can be stated on authority
however, that there will be no state
ment for some little time. President
Taft has not made up his mind with
regard to the merits of the dispute
between the secretary and Chief For
ester Pinchot.
Secretary Ballinger comes here to
present reports on Investigations or
dered by the president 1t is somewhat
significant that no investigations into
Mr. Pinchot's side of the case have
been ordered. This. In effect. seems to
put the secretary OF the interior on the
defensive with the president.
Another trivial circumstance, but one
which may indicate the drift Of the
wind, Is the fact that though Mr.. Bal
linger came all the way from Seattle
to see the president, he has been com
PEELED to watt around Beverly for a
chance to talk to the president more
like an officeseeker than like a mem
Der of the oficial family.
Waits on Presidents Pleasure.
Mr.. Ballinger got here at o'clock
yesterday. The president was out at
the Myopia horse show, where the sec
rotary of the interior went The presi-
dent was busy and Mr.. Ballinger got
but few words with him.
When the president got tired Of the
horse show he left, and he did not in
vite his secretary of the interior to go
home to dinner with him, but left him
In the hands Of Secretary Meyer. Mr..
Ballinger went back to Boston. At the
Touraine hotel he waited today until
Capt. Archibald Butt, the presidents
military aide. came in from the Brook
lyme Country club. where the president
was attending Yale celebration. Capt.
Butt conveyed the information that
the president would see the secretary
tonight.
Finally the secretary himself said II
was not certain when ne would toin
the presidents car on the western
trip. He thought ii might be about
Denver or Salt Lake city, but ne add
ed that the president would Ak the
time and place. Until today there has
been no doubt about Secretary Bal
linger accompanying the president. II
goes without saying that the presence
of Secretary Ballinger on the presi-
dents train might be accepted as a
leaning on the part of the president
toward one Of the disputants, which it
is known he distinctly desires to avoid
Considers Himself JUDGE.
Whether any or all of these slight
manifestations mean anything or win
weigh in the long run, it can be said
positively that the president desires in
the matter to preserve the attitude of
judge. He desires II to be known that
he favors neither side in the dispute.
OF more Importance than that is the
fact that he has not made up his mind
He will not make up his mind for some
time yet. He is insistent upon having
all of the facts presented to him before
he decides anything, There is involved
vital question. He is pledged to the
Roosevelt policy, but he is also sworn
to uphold the law.
Therefore 1t is that, in the case OF the
Cunningham coal claims In Alaska, as
well as in all the points that are in
volved in the dispute between secre-
tary Ballinger and Chief Forester PIN
chot, he wants ell Of the facts before
he decides. The two may have another
conference tomorrow.
5aIinser Full Of Fight.
For Secretary Ballinger IT is to he
said that he is as full Of fight as ever
At the Touraine hotel in Boston TO-DAY
Just after he had secured the appoint
ment with the president Tor tonight,
the secretary said he could make no
statement, and that everything would
have to come from the president.
Cant YOU at least give us hint ~
the secretary was asked. "as to when
this cruel war will be over?D
$50 far as | am concerned the sec-
rotary said, the war can 60 on
Secretary BaIlinger ID accompanied
by Oscar LAWYER, the deputy attorney
general, who is attached to the interior
department.