The Washington times., 1909-08-29
No TAFT SUPPORT
COMES TO RHARG
Administration Sends No
Response TO Attack on
Roosevelt.
Continued From First Page)

enough ends AND angles 70 It now. tley
say. without the additional inference
that the President and the men assO-
ciated with him are against the things
Mr.. Roosevelt attempted 70 do.
The argument began with the simple
n reasonable statement that the Sec
rotary of the Interior, backed by Mr..
Taft, vas heartily in favor Of the ends
sought by Mr.. Roosevelt. but that
there should be further and clearer leg
~islation on the subject 50 as 10 make the
ends accomplished permanent and not
liable to overthrow in the courts
Immediately this was construed by
p~reJudtced persons as an attack on the
Roosevelt policies. Such a construction
was emphatically denied by Mr.. Balm
ger. and by the President to intimate
friends.
Now comes the McHarg interview out
Of a clear sky. Just after the Secretary
OF the Interior has avoided clashing with
Chief Forester Pincnot at a public meet
ing in the West, and there are those
who say Mr. R~allingeTs f~Orbearance was
at the suggestion Of the President.
Friends of Mr.. Taft are confident in
the belief that after the President has
made his tour Of the West and voiced
IN public speeches his intentions and
ideals concerning conservation, the West
will recognize in him as firm a friend
Of the cause as was his predecessor. He
is on record In his speech of acceptance
Of the nomination and in his campaign
speeches championing conservation.
Takes Prompt Steps.
Concerning the alleged water power
monopoly. his Administration instead Of
p-ooh-poohing the idea as Mr.. McHarg
is quoted as doing, has set on foot a
comprehensive and thorough investiga-
ton Of the charges with the purpose Of
recommending to Congress any legisla-
ton which may be needed 10 prevent
such a robbery of the public.
Not In recent years has an Assist
ant Secretary given out an interview
so out of tune with the general tenor
Of the Administration, according TO
those who claim to know the Presi-
dents purposes. Mr.. Taft, in his de-
termination TO carry out Roosevelt
policies, has discountenanced at all
times attacks on Mr.. Roosevelt and
his methods, n the 1Jast from Nc
Harg against the former Administra-
ton was the most unexpected thing
that ever came to Beverly.
While the Administration is seek
ing the means best calculated TO carry
out the purpose Of conservation and
is investigating the charges of a
water owe monopoly. an Assistant
Secretary comes out with the fat
footed statement that Roosevelt
acted as If he were the Lord" and
puts into ridicule the policies of
Roosevelt. It can be easily imagined
that not everything here today is
characterized by a Sabbath calm
Conference Planned.
Mr.. Taft has already made an engage
ment for a conference this afternoon
with Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Nagel, Mr.. McHarg's superior, and il is
more than probable tina the two men
will take cognizance OF the McHarg
interview. One thing is certain; friends
Of TIE Administration are emphatic to-
day in their declarations that this re-
gime cannot afford 10 have itself put on
record as opposing the Roosevelt policy
Of conservation, and any more inter
views Of the McHarg tenor will 20 a
long Way toward bringing about this
very thing.
Mr.. McHarg has already said he Will
retire from the Government service Oc-
tOber I. He took his present position
with the understanding that he would
retain IL only for n short while. He
has made a brilliant and enviable rec
ord as a worker and has a mind of ex-
ceptional usefulness to the department.
But when he broke loose on ROosevelt's
conservation ideas. he hit the wrong
note so far as the Administrator is
concerned.
Feeling Aroused.
This question has aroused terrific feel
ing in some sections Of the West and
has resulted in wholesale attacks on
Mir. .Balinger and the entire Depart
ment Of the Interior. Mr.. Taft wanted
nothing TO add 10 the trouble.
In addition to these matters. the Pres
ident viii probably discuss with Mr..
Nagcl this afternoon the appointment of
censUs supervisors who have not al
nd hnan namal