Evening star., 1909-04-26
VETO OF CENSUS BILL URGES AN INCOME TAX
One Way President May Set Senator Bailey Argues in Favor
tie NageI-North Dispute of His Tariff Amendment.
DIRECTORS LARGE POWERS SENATE GALLERIES FULL
Mr. Taft Would Have Him Respon Lively Cooquies With Senator
sible White House. Smith of Michigan.
START OF PRESENT TROUBLE WAGES HERE AND ABROAD
Authority Higher
latin Machi for Bureau to outp
One Way President May Set
tie Nagel-North Dispute.
DIRECTORS LARGE POWERS
Mr.. Taft Would Have Him Respon-
sible to White House.
START OF PRESENT TROUBLE
Secretary Said to Have Declined to
Sign Authority for New Tabu
lating Machines for Bureau.

Events in connection with the case of
s. ID. N. North, director of the census,
are shaping up so that it appears prob
able President Taft will veto the census
bill If it passes Congress in the form it
has gone through the hands of the con-
ferees of both houses. In the event that
Congress accepts the bill as agreed upon
by the conferees and the President does
not veto the bill he is practically GER
tain 10 ask the resignation of Mr.. North
and put in a new man.
The attitude of the President according
TO roundabout information today, is based
upon serious objections to the great power
conferred upon the director of the census
question of Mr.. North's responsibilities
arose. given consideration to the bill and
finds that it makes Director North inde-
pc ndent of the White House, so far as the
taking of the coming census goes. The
country would hold President Taft re-
sponsible for the success of the census,
but he would have no authority to en-
force his orders upon the director of the
census. There would be responsibility
without authority, and the President does
not believe that any officer of the gov
ernment should be placed in that position
toward the White House.
Veto or a New Director.
One of two things will follow the en-
actment of such census bill-the veto
of the law or the appointment of a man
as director who will feel himself direct
ly responsible to the White House, in
spite Of the law. and accept orders, if
necessary, therefrom.
President Taft thinks well of Mr.
North, but Is by no means Of the opinion
that the present director is indispensable
TO the taking Of the next census. He
knows of men he thinks will do the work
just as well. He will reach no definite
decision, it is stated, until Congress has
put through census bill, and then he
will act promptly, in accordance with
his understanding of the results that
would follow the measure.
The President has talked with several
members of the census committees of the
Senate and House and has made 1t clear
that he does not wish to be held respon-
sble for delays. thus close to the begin
ming of the work of the next census. He
has been ready to act upon bill for
weeks. He talked today with Representa-
tive Langley of Kentucky, formerly dis
bursting officers of the census bureau, and
identified with the establishment from
1850 up to the time he was elected 10
Congress few years ago. Mr.. Langley
extoiled the merits of Director North ami
told the President something about the
work of Director North. and especially his
work along large lines for the govern
ment. The President found no objection
TO the Sraise of Mr.. North for his work
in this direction, but directed his objec-
tions wholly to a state of affairs that
gave 10 bureau such authority as to
make it independent of an executive de-
partment or Of the White House.
Conference With the President.
The situation in the census office at
present and as it may arise under the
census bill now pending i'll Congress, If
not materially changed, was discussed
al long conference in the White House
last night. the President having with
him Secretary Nagei, Director North and
Assistant Secretary McHarg Of the De-
partment OF Commerce and Labor They
remained with the President from IN
o'clock until 1890 o'clock None of those
present would talk, except that Mr. Mort h
lntimated that his resignation was not a
question imminent at this time Secre-
tary Nagel also would not talk
That Secretary Nagel saw the effect of
the census bill and brought IL to the al
tention Of the President and that this
seems to be the paramount question at
this time Is pretty we'll understood Mr..
Nagel advised the census committees of
Congress that he did not care for respon-
sibility In connection with the next CEN
sus without the authority that should
go with 1t, and the President sustains him
In i
amend the bill that the Secretary of
the Department of Commerce and Labor
will have supervisory authority il is prob
able this would settle the matter lea wing
Mr. North in his present position.
The Starting of the Trouble.
Information today was TO the effect that
the original split between Secretary Nasel
and Director North arose over an ex-
tremely important contract for tabulat-
ing machines. For years Mr.. North has
been working upon a plan To have his
own tabuatinG machines made and went
ahead with every preparation To do So
lie cot right 10 the point where he signed
contracts fer these machines and put the
contracts up Ia Secretary Nagel az a mere
matter of form fe- the Secretary s.Sna.
ture without any previous explanation 10
tile Secretary.
Mr. Nagel told Mr.. North that he dtd
not nave the least 1dea OF signing 50
important Il contract without full info--
nation. and that in the future he must
bc consulted in advance OF any import
ant step and his approval ootatncd nt.-
fcrc the point reached where i'm
rn@diat. rction must he taken. Mr.
North could not see tho thing in the
same Hghl and the issue WAS made u!;
and went 10 President Taft
n connection with the statement fha;
President Taft - much dissatisfied viii,
the census pill now pending IN Congress
in ,iisa green be- tNCeu the Two branches
of Congress is the statement made today
4, of the biz men of the House of
Representatives that Congress may not
rs>s any census taw al all al this ses-
sion.
Old Law Would Operate.
1T is not at all necessary, said this
member TO Star reporter. for the Law
under which the aSt census WAS takct
l.. still on the statute h""ks Is petlut.
nent law and al that Till J." necessary