The Washington times., 1909-09-16

tnEfll
indicated the opinion that It was pre-
pared in the main, or at least, based on
materials prepared by Attorney General
Wickersham and Secretary Ballinger;
and beyond this, there was intimation
to people thoroughly conversant with
the entire situation, that the President
letter omitted TO cover some essential
features, and was inaccurate as to some
others
Pinchot Will Not Resign.
The Presidents omission Of the name
Of Clifford Pinchot. Chief Forester, from
the communication. is regarded very
significant. It is known that the Presi-
dent is anxious that this whole AFFAIR
shall be ended with his letter and the
dismissal Of CLAWS; that the contro-
versy shall be dropped, and that II shall
not necessitate the consideration of any
other changes in the public service. He
does not want. according to the most
unquestionable advices brought by peo-
pie who have seen him at Beverly in the
last few days. to do anything that shall
deprive his Administration Of the serv-
ices Of Mr.. Pinchot. Beyond this wish
Of the President. there is the best of
reason for the statement that MT Pin
chot has no thought Of resigning.
But on the ether hand it is equally
apparent that the fight win go right
on Congressional attention will be CIV
en- TO II Immediately after Congress
meets. The names Of Senator La Fol
lette. Senator Dolliver. and Senator
Bristow are insistently used in connec-
ton with plans for q Congressional in
vestigation. Senator Dolliver Is chair
man Of the upper house Committee on
Agriculture; he is the lifelong and init
mate friend Of Secretary or Agriculture
Wilson, and he IS the admirer Of Mr..
Pinchot. and the vigorous supporter of
the conservation prog1 am which Mr..
Pinchot wrought into one Of the more
prominent and popular features OF the
Roosevelt Administration.
Possibility of Investigation.
Already there is discussion. based on
real information, of the possibility OF
Congressional investigation; probably OF
Investigation by the Senate Committee
on Agriculture and OF an inquiry by
some House committee as well. II has
been pointed out as ar least highly sug-
Eestive that the members Of Congress
who have come 10 the defense Of Sec
rotary Ballinger and his program in
clude some Of those who have been tho
persistent critics Of the Pinchot and
Roosevelt management Of forest and
water-power conservation.
Secretary Wilson. head OF the Depart
rnent Of Agriculture. of which the For
est Service is a bureau returned TO
today after his vacation.
a Y has been one OF the CEN
rest throughout the whole
which. In important phases,
- arac.. d to conflict between his
co. md the Department Of the
IrlsrIt- Is given out. however, that
trrr. itively no chance Of the
Fa.-E dication being accepted as
o a criticism Of Secretary
would warrant the latter
ing from the Cabinet
Esee dent Tafts position is IN
be such. in his desire 20
discussion. that he would
-. pose suggestion OF the re-
Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. PinchOt,
other chiefs Of the con-
position is understood TO
men who have been placed
L.a n Of apparently critcising
alton of the Interior De
We been actuated by the
motives. If perchance, also
measure Of zeal in the per
formance - what they conceived 10 be
their duties.
Serious Issue Is Raised.
But all possibility OF a quiet suppress
sion Of the main controversy, is con
Sidered 70 have been put out Of con-
sideration long ago. IL is the most
common observation that the contro-
versy has taken the form Of a sharp
division between the close retaiaers and
custodians Of the former Roosevelt
program, and those who have been un-
friendly 10 that program. A most seri-
Gus issue now raised Is that of mann
tanning discipline inside the Admins
tration- Nothing could be more unfor-
tunate In view Of the Presidents de
sire tor a harmonious official family,
than the disposition Of the pubic 20
take sides in this matter. The public
interest has forced a situation in which
officials are finding II more and more
difficult 70 maintain the judicial and
non-partisan attitude on which they are
6till insisting.
Il is known that. whether the discus
sion is suppressed as between official
factions. influential public men are DE-
termined that there shall be further
airing Of the affair. In this connection
the name Of former Secretary Of the In
terror Garfield IS constantly used. Idr.
Gardeids friends insist that the vim
dication OF Ballinger amounts 10 a re-
hectiOn on the Garfield conduct of the
Interior Department, and there is cir
cunstantial report that before many
DAYS Mr.. Garfield will he heard from
in a most public way. His voice. N f.
shall be raised as that Of partisan,
viii be accepted as also the voice Of Pin
chot and the echo Of Pinchot opinions
concerning the whole conservation bus
mess
Material Seems Plentiful.
It IS pretty definitely known that while
the Ballinger side Of the controversy
IS anxious TO have it ended. the oppo-
sltion is IN n0wise disposed TO engage
'in a protocol on that basis. Rather,
the Roosevelt school Of ConservatiOnists
Rave al hand a good deal Of material,
II IS declared. which may vet be in
jected into the controversy with much
illuminating effect
The immediate political effects Of
the position President Taft has
taken are discussed wi.n keen IN
terest- The President IS now fairly
started on his Western tour, during
which he IS going to explain and de-
fend the work OF his Administration 20
date and 20 bespeak public support for
its future work II has not escaped
notice that the West, which has been
the seat OF disa6ectiou with the tariff
legislation. Is also persistently displeas-
ed with the Administration course as