Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-30
AFTER OUTBURST
OFFICIAL HANDS
IN RESIGNATION
M'HARG WILL LEAVE HIS
POST
CRITIcIsEs FELLOWS AND LAYS
SECRETS BARE
Taft and NageI Confer as to Successor
Beverly Is Busy with Matters ln-
Guiding Plnchot- BaIIlnaer
Controversy -
[Ry Associated Press.


X dent Taft today accepted the res
~ ignation of Ormsby McHarg, as
sistant secretary of commerce and
labor.
Secretary Nagel, head Of the depart
ment, had a conference with President
Taft today and discussed the question
of a successor to McHarg.
Secretary Nagel received a letter
from the assistant secretary saying he
must adhere to his first intention of
remaining in the department only for
six months. This term will expire
tary Nagel hopes to be ready to an
nounce the choice Of new assistant.
Mr. McHarg announced some time
ago he soon would engage in private
business. In his letter to Secretary
Nagel he says, however, that II a sue
cessor cannot be found by September 4
he will continue in office until Oc-
tober /.
There was no one in Beverly today
willing to say McHarg's resignation
was in any wise the result of the in
terview published in Washington last
week, in which he Is credited with say
ing some sharp things about Former
President Roosevelt and his policy of
forest conservation.
Chafes at Criticism
Mr. McHarg is said to have grown
bitter over the free manner in which
some of the government officials in
Washington, generally known as the
INF hPpn
iclsing members of the Taft adminis-
tration. Consequently he is reported
to have expressed his own views.
The controversy started by Chief
Forester Pinchot with Secretary Bal
linger is declared here to he growing
to such proportions that the president
will have to take hand.
Mr.. Taft has been reluctant ito take
Official cognizance Of the controversy
which started at the irrigation con-
gress in Spokane, continued through
the transmississippi conference ct Dem
yer and since then has been waged at
the national capital. 1t seems now,
however, he will be compelled to take
a hand in the tangle.
President Taft also had with him
today Secretary Knox and Secretary
Meyer. It Is said the Pinchot- Bal
linger controversy has a share in the
discussion.
President Taft has no engagement to
see Secretary Ballinger earlier than
just prior to his arrival in Seattle on
September 20.
Taft Hopes for Peace
Mr.. Ballinger has accepted an invita-
ton to accompany the president on
large part of the latter's Pacific coast
itinerary. The invitation was extend
ed prior to the outbreak of the contro-
versy and has no especial significance.
1t will offer an opportunity, however,
for Mr.. Ballinger to lay his case before
the president.
IN all matters affecting departments
under the control of cabinet officers it
has been the presidents policy to up
hold the cabinet members Gnfailingly.
The president, while refusing to dis
cuss the Pinchot-B Ballinger contro-
versy, has intimated he hopes no dras-
tic action will be necessary. Mr.. Taft
soon is to traverse the territory where
the conservation plans are Of supreme
Importance.
Secretary Nagel left for New York
tonight to attend the first meeting of
the presidents law commission tomor-
row. This commission is tc. consider
amendments to the interstate COM
merce and antitrust laws and is to de-
wise q system of more complete co-op>
Grafton among the department of JUS
tice, the bureau of corporations in the
department of commerce and labor,
and the interstate commerce commits
sion.
Mr.. Nagel said before leaving there
was no political or other significance
attached to Mr.. McHa-g's resignation.
He said it was understood that Mr..
McHarg, when he accepted the place,
agreed to serve only six months.