The Washington times., 1909-04-24
Charges Against Director of
Census Discussed by
the Cabinet.
SECRETARY NAGEL
MAKES COMPLAINT
Department Head Alleges Insubor-
dination and Too Much
Politics.

That S. y. d. North, Director or the
Census. is 10 lose his position in the
Government service as a result OF diff
culties between himself and Secretary
of Commerce and labor Nagel, is the
well-grounded Impression in Adrninis-
tration circles today
The matter was up at the recent meet
Ing of the Cabinet, as result OF
charges OF characterization made by
Mr.. Nagel against Mr.. North and Z
conference this morning between the
President and the Secretary, under
whose department the Census Bureau
is now conducted. it was again dis.
cussed.
At the Cabinet meeting. where the
charges were first discussed. a ma jority
OF the members of the Cabinet agreed
with Mr.. Nagel that Mr.. Norths resig-
nation should be demanded.
Other Points At Issue.
In addition to the charge OF in
subordination, there are others AFFECT
ing conditions in the Census Bureau
These. however. are Of such a nature
that they cannot be discussed at this
time without the risk OF seeming to
implicate innocent parties.
One OF the main objections 10 MIR.
North on the part OF Mr.. Nagel Is that
the director OF the census, IL is said
has disregarded the wishes OF the Sec
that North has relied on his tremen-
dous following in Congress to back
him up in doing things objected to by
the department. IL is also said North
recently appeared before Congression-
al committees and made representa-
tions differing from statements made
TO Congress by the head OF the de-
partment.
Open Rupture Admitted.
There is no tendency on the part of
Cover nmeDt officials 10 deny that the
issue is now fairly joined between the
Secretary and the Director OF the Cen
sus Mr.. Nagel wants the official head
OF Mr. North. Mr. Nagel Is a man
slow TO wrath and is careful in ar
riving al conclusions. Before reaching
this one. ne had a careful investiga ton
made Of conditions in the bureau The
results Of this report were made known
10 Mr.. Taft when Mr. Nagei broached
the subject to the President. and u was
after this that the matter was laid be-
fore fun meeting of the Cabinet
Mr.. North was in conference with the
President yesterday afternoon at late
hour.
In addition 10 the friction between the
director and Mr.. Nagel. ii Is also sa;d
today that Ormsby McHarg, Assistant
Secretary of Commerce and Labor. feels
that conditions might be bettered by
giving the dictatorship OF the census -
some man other than Mr.. North.
Director Out of Office
The director could not be found a
his office this morning. II was said by
officials OF the census that he had left
there early in the morning and was not
expected TO return until this afternoon.
expected to return until this afternoon.
President could neither affirm nor deny
the statement that the situation had
reached an acute stage. Mr.. Nagel, at
the end Of his conference with the Pres
dent this morning, admitted that the
North matter was up for discussion.
but ne declined 90 say what win be
done.
Among those familiar with the situa-
ton, II Is said today this is not the
first instance OF friction between Mr..
North snd the head OF the department,
and that Secretary Straus gave up in
despair his efforts to prevent Mr..
wishes. In that case, as in this, IL is
charged. North relied on his strong
Influence with members OF the House
and Senate
II the conditions. as outlined 10 The
President, are found to be substan-
tiated. there is no doubt at all that Mr..
North's resignation will be summarily
demanded In some respects II will
come at an extremely inconvenient
time, for Mr.. North has made all the
preliminary arrangements for taking
the next census. and his successor
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