New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-30
0RMSBY M'HARG TO 60
PRESIDENT WILL ACCEPT
HIS RESIGNATION.
Mr. Taft May also Hare to Set
tie the Pinchot-Baltinger
Controversy.

Beverly. Mass. Aug. 29.-The resignation of
Ornshy McHarg. Assistant Secretary OF the
department of Commerce and Labor. will be
accepted. Secretary Nagel the head of the de-
partment had q conference with President Taft
this afternoon. at which the question of a sue
cessor to Mr.. McHarg was discussed. Secre-
tary Nagel received letter from the Assistant
Secretary to-day saying that he must adhere TO
his first intention Of remaining in the aepart-
ruent only six months. This term of duty will
expire on September 4, and Secretary Nage
hopes to be ready to announce the choice of a
new assistant ny that time. Mr.. McHarg an
nounced some time ago that he soon would leave
'oe government service to- engage in private
business. In his letter to Secretary NageI to-
day ne reminds him of his intention to leave The
service but says that if a successor cannot he
found by September I he will continue in office
"htil october |. Mr.. McHarg's formal letter of
resignation will follow
Secretary Nagel said tonight that there was
no political or other significance attached 70 MFR
McHargs resignation He said il was under
STOOD that Mr.. McHarg when he accepted the
PIace agreed 10 serve only six months Mr. Nc
hsrs said he could not afford to remain in the
government service longer
MIR M'HARG's CRITICISMS
NO one in Beverly to-day was willing to say
that Mr.. McHarg's resignation was the result
ot an interview with him published in Wash
inston last week in which the Assistant Secre-
tary Is credited with having said some rather
sharp things about ex-President Roosevelt and
his policy of forest conservation
Mr.. McHarg is reported to have said that the
policy Of conservation outlined by Mr. Roose-
Welt was too dreamIike ever IN be Of practical
value. and that only the Lord Himself could
have carried it out" Mr.. McHarg was further
represented as saving that perhaps Mr.. Roose-
Welt thought himself equal to worker Of
miracles
Mr- McHars. i'm interview in Washington
yesterday. is quoted accusing tho Forest Ser
vice ot concealing facts regarding the timber
supply Of the country. His statement was de-
olsred by Mr.. Price. associate forester 10 be
untrue in all parts"
Mr. McHarg is said TO have become bitter
over the free manner in which some of the gov
eminent officials i'm Washington. generally
known as the Roosevelt clement have been
criticising members of the Taft administration.
Consequently he is reported to have expressed
his own views in rather forcible manner
PINCHoT- BALLINGER CONTROVERSY.
The controversy between Clifford Pinchot. the
chief forester. and Mr.. BaIlinger the Secretary
~ the Interior. is declared here 10 be growing 70
such proportions that the President will have 70
take hand in II and nut. the government house
40 Washington In order. Mr.. Taft has been re-
luctant 70 take official notice Of the controversy,
which began az the Irrigation Congress in Spo-
kane. continued through the Mississippi
Congress az Denver. and since then has been
wased with more or less intensity at Washing
ton. The President had hoped that tho whole
affair was tempest I'm a teapot which soon
would simmer down without any action on his
part. II seems now, however as though he
would have 10 take a hand IN the tangIe and
straighten il out
In addition 20 the Secretary Of Comnsrc. and
Labor President Taft had with him this after
noon the Secretary of State. Mr. Knox. and the
Secretary Of the Navy Mr.. Meyer II Is said
that the Pinchot- Balnger controversy had a
large share I'm the deHberation OF the Cabinet
conference. President Taft has no engagement,
to see Secretary Ballinger earlier than tust be-
fore his arrival IN Seattle on September % Mr.
Ballinger has been invited. and has accepted
the Invitation. 10 accompany the President on a
large part or the latter's Pacific Coast trip Tho
invitation was given before the controversy
broke out and has no especial significance +,
VIII offer an opportunity. however unless an
earlier one Is taken. for Mr.. BalIinger to Law his
side oil the controversy before the President
SUPPORTS CABINET MEMBERS
In All matters affecting departments under Nh,
Sohtroi OF cabinet officers il has been the Presf
dents policy to uphold the Cabinet member nm
failngly. Secretary Nagel recently had a con-
troversy with the former director OF the census
s. n. u. North. There we're MANY nredic,,ors
at the time that Director North would be IN
held. President Taft however. approved ,be
course OF his Cabinet officer, and Mr. Nortb's
resignation accepted
Friends of Secretary Ballinger are drawing n
parallel from this episode TO mt the present con-
troversy. They say that while Mr. Pinchot
hold-over from the Roosevelt administration is
a most valued public servant and is highly
esteemed by President Taft. il he has set him
self unalterably against a superior officer there
is little doubt OF the Presidents course
The President. while refusing absolutely TO
discuss the Pinchot- -Ballinger controversy in any
way, has intimated to friends that he hopes no
drastic action will be necessary. The President
is soon 10 traverse the territory where conser-
walton plans are OF supreme Importance Mr.
Pinchot is reported 10 have used tho name of
Mr.. Roosevelt freely in the West I'm support of
his own contentious as to what should be done
with the forests and the sources OF water supply
and to have indicated that the present policy of
the Department OF the Interior Is retrogressive
The President unquestionably will take advan-
tage of his presence in the West to state the
policy of his administration as to conservation
of national resources.
Orrnsby McHarg, OF North Dakota, was nom-
mated on March % TO be Assistant Secretary of
Commerce and Labor and was Immediately
confirmed by the Senate. He previously
special attorney of the Department of Justice.
In the last Presidential campaign he had charge
OF the interests OF Mr.. Taft in contests filed
with the Republican National Committee.
Mr. McHarg was a member Of the Legislature