The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-24
Likely to Be Involved in the
Ballinger-Pinchot
Controversy.
SECRETARY WILSON
MUCH INTERESTED
George Woodruff Resigns in Ha-
wall 10 Come Back TO
Washington.

Two members OF the present Cabinet /
and one member OF tire Roosevelt Cabinet [
arc likely 20 be mixed Up 20 their necks /
in the investigation OF the Ballingcr- /
Pinchot affair before It shan have PRO /
ceeded FAR.
These are Secretaries Ba.iinger and
Wilson, and former Secretary Garfield. /
Mr.. Wilson Is involved because he Is
the superior Of Mr.. Pinchot, nOminally.
at least, responsible for the policy and
proceedings OF his subordinate. and com
monty understood to be disposed to stand
vigorously by the general policy Of the
Forest Service.
Now that investigation seems assured.
st is recalled that the first symptom OF
disturbance in the new Administration
came to light when Secretaries Wilson
and BaIlinger sharply disagreed about
the matter Of Withdrawing from entry
certain public lands for which the Forest
service asked. for administrative uses.
Secretary Ballinger, replying to the re-
quest, demanded to be assured specifical-
y that the lands were needed for the
express purpose named. or whether in
fast that purpose was given as pre-
text to get them withdrawn.
When he got that letter, which ne
thought inti-nated that his good faith
wasn't acc ned by a feilow-member Of
the Cabint Secretary Wilson blew
up without delay. He made an issue,
the matter went " 10 President Taft,
and there was talk right away about
the possibility Of somebody resigning-
President Taft smoothed 1t all out; but
IL was the first hint Of trouble. The
big feud between the two departments
who recollect how hopping mad Secre-
tary Wilson was at a certain Cabinet
meeting early in the career of this Ad-
rninistration, have latterly opined that
Mr.. Wilson was likely 20 be firm in
his support Of Forester Pinchot.
Attitude CiTcumspect.
The attitude Of Mr. Wilson, however,
has been extremely circUmspeCt. Yes
teTday he and the forester held long
conference, at which 81 is understood
the whole situation was gone over In
detail, and with care; but neither Of
them wanted TO talk about the matters
transpiring between them. However,
the understanding is that the Secretary
has not forgotten the origin Of the
differences between his own and the
Interior Department.
That a long list Of people OF more or
less note will be drawn into the feud
now about to be investigated. and viii
play important roles m the inquiry, is
recognized as inevitable. George {.
woodruff, who was assistant attorney
general for the Interior Department IN
der the last Administration, has just
resigned the Federal 1udgeship IN Ha-
wall 20 which President Roosevelt ap-
pointed him, and will soon be back in
washington. He is expected TO be
dragged very early into the investiga-
ton, because Of his intimate knowledge
of the policy and procedure Of the de
partment under Secretary Garfield. Mr.
woodruff was fully in sympathy with
the Garfield methods, and his intimate
knowledge Of the law concerning the
public domain Is expected TO become a
factor in the organization Of the forth
coming case for the Forest Service and
the anti-BaIlinger side Of the contro
secretary GarheId's recent publication
OF an article in la FOOette's Magazine
which. without mentioning the name o
Secretary Balltnger, criticised mas az
ministratiOn severely. Is accounted
most significant development he vii
DO made witness IN an proDaolLllg
in the investigation; and mis- analyst
OF the differences between his own an
the Ballinger policies rs expected 70 b.
highly Illuminating He Is a firm trlen'
OF the Pinchot cause and or Jar. Plncho
Claws Is Coming.
Louis r. Claws is likely 10 come e
washington before the resumption o
the sessions Of Congress. CLAWS vii
be represented by counsel, and vii
make = strong demand 20 be heard b.
the Investigating Committee.
J. NJ. Sheridan, special agent OF tn
General Land Office. who has recent
been conducting. at Seattle, hearin
IN the matter Of the Cunningham lam
claims in Alaska. has come to Wash
inCton. and is understood to be givin
the Interior Department the fullest pos
sible Information concerning tina
phase Of the difficulty. The Cunning
ham hearing has been adjourned iudef
ufteIv and III IS understood 70 Will no
be concluded till after the investigated
in Washington shall have ended.
Much interest IS displayed IN tn
forthcoming presentation IN the Scnat
or the documents in the CLAWS matter
which has been asked By the Elin
resolution u IS expected the resolu
ton will pass, and the question Il
what documents VIII be sent in re
spouse 10 it. The entire array or thes,
and Of correspondence bearing o
them. would make a great volume q
printed matter, containing much Of tn
greatest Importance which has hot yC
been given 20 the public
On both sides. law officers and 90
pcrts are now busy getting ready 10
The presentation Of the respective case
and planning against all contugencie
which may arise. II is planned
make the first contest IN Congress owe
the reference Of the investigation. II
friends Of the Department Of Agrlcu
ture are determined 10 have the ir
vestigation conducted by one Of III
regular standing committee Of the Ser
ate, II possible, the Ballinger DeoD
Competent Attendant for Ladies.