Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-21
SAYS SITUATION HAS
BECOME INT0LERARLE
President Said to Have Yielded to
Demand Which Has Endorsement
of Attorney General Wickersham'
Postmaster General Hitchcock and
Other Republican Leaders.
(By Associated Press.)

President Taft today yielded TO the
demands of both Secretary Ballinger
and his critics for a public investiga-
ticn Ct the whole subject matter I'M
deriving the so-called Ballinger-
Pinchot controversy.
Mr. Ballinger this afternoon served
upon the President virtually an ulti-
matum to the effect that such an IN
vestigation was indeed the price or
his remaining IN the cabinet. He
made il clear to the President that
h was no longer willing to sit silent
and wait fer the thing to blow over
Mr. Taft, il is said, reluctantly
admitted the disappointment OF his
hope that the country at large would
accept as final his own vindication or
Mr.. Ballinger in his dismissal of the
charges brought before him against
the secretary of the interior by L.
r. Claws, the former special agent
cf the land office. and his conclusion
that the investigation demanded by
both sides in this matter was newt
ahle.
Republican Leaders Support Demand.
Mr. Ballingers attitude has the sup
port of leading Republicans in both
branches of Ongress7senators ana
represe natives who feel that. entire
ly apart from the merits Of the con-
troversy itself. fostering sore of TINS
character. will poison the whole sys-
TEN OF the party in power and that 1t
-. 40
These leaders. determined that
cleansing of this wound is necessary,
hav enot hesitated to go to the White
House and impress their views upon
Mr. Taft
Conferences of a confidential char
acter. in which members of the cabi-
net. party leaders in both houses OF
congress. and the President himself.
have participated. have been held at
various times during the past few
DAYS. They eliminated today when
Secretary Ballinger, Attorney Gsner-
al Wickersham, and Postmaster Cen
eraI Hitchcock met in MIR. Wicker
sham's Office and proceeded thence to
the White House. where the matter
wss laid before the President.
Situation is IntolerabIe.
Mr.. Ballineer told the President,
1T is said, that the situation had be-
come intoleTable to him. and that
though the constant charges against
him had come from irresponsible PER
sons he could net longer sit supinely
by. and in justice to himself. he felt
compelled TO insist upon an investi-
gsticn.
The President was given TO UNDER
stand that Mr.. BalIinger's demand car
ried with it the endorsement OF Doth
Mr.. Wickersham and Mr.. Hitchcock
II Is a known fact that he has the
sympathy also of ether members OF
the cabinet.
Tomorrow is cabinet day. There
can te little doubt that this vii. be
che Of the important subjects Of that
meeting. Presumably this is one of
the principal reasons why the inves-
figafiou. backed AZ the administra-
tin probably will not be preached in
congress before it's adjournment TO-
morrow for the holiday recess.
Democrat Forces Issue
Several things have served 20 brins
the matter TO a head. The speech OF
Representative Hitchcock. a Demo
crat. Of Nebraska. in the house few
DAYS ago demanding action upon his
resolution providing for an invesiiga'
zion Of the land Office. was a factor
NJ. Rsllingcr. Il is said. fearsd that
his r. solution might be laid upon the
table By the Republican majority and
thai such action would be construed
~ his enemies a. an esoT. on the
part Of the administration 10 white
wash him.
A few days ago be received pointed
advice from a close personal fFif nd. 2
man who has recently left The gov
eminent service. who has himself
been an Investigator OF the depart
ncut Of justice and who L. an cx
pcri N land lava. urging Just such an
uItimatum - MI Balling,r carried "a
tContinued on Seventh Page.)