The Washington herald., 1909-08-13

That the controversy now in progress
between Richard a. Ballinger. Secre-
AIRY Of the Interior, and Clifford Pinchot,
Chief Forester Of the government over
the question of conservation may posi-
bly, result in an ugly scandal involving
officials in certain executive departments,
ard in all probability lead TO a disruption
OF President Tafrs Cabinet is the i'm
preston that prevails among the Official
set now in washington
The bitterness Of Mr.. Pinchots attack
upon the head Of the Interior Department
has created a mild sensation in Wash
Ington. On the surface these two officials
are squabbling over Secretary Baningers
construction OF the law bearing on lands
withdrawn from entry for purposes Of
conservation by the preceding administra-
lion.
Secretary Ballinger insists that he IS a
friend Of conservation, but that the pol
Icy heretofore followed was in violation
Of law M- Pinchot comes back with
the declaration that during Mr.. Roose-
velts administration the law was literally
Interpreted.
Contest just Started.
1t IS intimated in official circles that
there is more behind the fight between
Secretary Ballinger and Forester Pinchot
than has been disclosed. While details
are withheld. the inference is drawn from
statements made By some officials that
the contest between BaIlinger and Pin
chot has just started, and that before 1t
is concluded others will be drawn in. and
the Taft administration confronted with a
stable scandal
Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson IS said
TO be supporting Mr. Pinchot in the
latters fight on Secretary Balinger. and
this adds an additional element Of In
tevest. Secretary Wilson has had friction
with Secretary Bauingev. and there is no
love lost between these two department
heads. As things now size up. the con-
troversy between Mr.. Ballinger and Mr..
Pinchot will continue until the President
interferes, and the crisis will then soon
follow.
The BELIEF IS quite general in Washing
ton that either Ballinger or Pinchot will
be forced 10 retire from the public segv-
Ice. and Il may be that both Of them
viii go. Then there is the probability of
conflict between Secretary Bauinger and
Secretary Wilson because of Asr. VII
sons evident determination to back up
Pinchot 10 the limit Pincnot is one OF
the bureau officers OF Secretary Wilson.
es the forest service is part of the
Department OF Agriculture
Insists on Strict RcndinE.
Briefly summarized. Secretary Ballinger
has taken the position that while a friend
Of conservation. he will insist upon a
strict enforcement Of the law. Pinchot
is said to believe that Bauinger is not a
friend Of the Roosevelt policy Of conser-
walton, and that the policy of strict en-
forcement OF the law is merely a cloak
10 enable Mr.. Ballinger to overturn the
work done along this line by the preced-
ing administration.
As some people here view the BalIinger-
Pinchot incident it is merely the first
Of a series OF struggles between friends
OF the cid, and supporters of the new
administration.
Pinch0t was n member Of the Roose-
welt tennis cabinet AS the head of the
forest service he attained great promi-
nence and he himself admits that in
the development of the conservation
policy, laws were loosely construed. In
this Forester PlnchOt had the support Of
Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Garfield. ex-Secre-
tary of the Interior
Formerly there was no restraint on the
forester. Secretary Ballinger has stepped
in and insisted upon an administration
Of the law as In Mr.. Pinchot's opinion
will result in a death blow 10 the cause
Of conservation.