Evening star., 1909-06-03
DISPUTE OVER AUDITOR
South Dakota Senators and
Representatives at Odds.
PRESIDENT WILL DECIDE
Retentionsof Robert S. Person Point
i in Controversy.
ASK PARDON FOR ALBANIAN
Senators Johnston and Taliaferro
Call on Behalf,of w. S. Harland,
Convicted of Peonage. !,
PRESIDENT WILL DECIDE
ASK PARDON FOR ALBANIAN

senatorial prerogatives are threatened
IN a flshti that has arisen at the White
House as to whether Robert s. Person
snail be dismissed as auditor of the Treas
ury for the Interior Department Sena-
tors Gamble and Crawford of South Da-
kota have asked the President to give the
authorship to Howard Shober. now lieu
tenant governor of South Dakota and one
OF the leaders of the combination that
overthrow the old Kittredge machine.
Representatives Martin and Burke have
asked the President, it is understood. to
retain Mr.. Person, and have laid before
him the exceptionally good record of the
auditor, who has had the backing Of
every Secretary of the Treasury under
whom he has served. Both of the repre-
sentatNes. have worked with the Kittredge
people in. the past They have managed,
through their personal standing with the
people, to keep their seats in the House.
des pite the control of the state by the
GaLnbles-Crawford faction
The Presidents Policy.
The President has adhered to the old
time policy of many presidents. of recog-
| nizing the right of senators from state
to recommend the federal patronage. and
his appointments in South Dakota up to
| sires of the two senator's What he will
do in this case remains to be seen. 1t is
not necessary that he shall follow the
recommendation OF the senators in this
| case, however, inasmuch as the appoint
| ment is not within the state and the sena-
tors could do little more than prevent the
confirmation of a man nominated against
| their wishes. In retaining Mr. Person the
President would m nj Y 10 ch of
offending the senator's, while If he re-
places the auditor with the man named
by the senators he will offend the Kit
tredge faction, which iS still powerful
throughout the state.
The two representatives will call upon
the President again to discuss the case
| more fully with him. He was busy today
and they did not have many minutes with
him.
President. Resumes Luncheons.
President Taft is now enjoying three
| meals a day like any other healthy man
He returned to the practice OF luncheon
yesterday afternoon. and expects to take
| the midday meal with his family from
now on. His hour for luncheon will be
1:3O. but his patience in keeping appoint
ments and seeing visitors will frequently
delay him. Yesterday 1t was after 2:3O
O'Clock when he sat down to luncheon
Will MS vile ana DrOtner, q. +. Taft,
who has been visiting him, but who will
return to Cincinnati this afternoon. Since
MS inauguration the President has kept
right on at his work during the midday
hours and has not left for luncheon. par
| taxing OF an apple or piece of fruit while
1 In conference with visitors. His change
/ of plans is due to his determination to
| take a great deal more outdoor exercise
| than in the past and to the necessity for
something more substantial than an ap-
nr
| takes long ride or walk He went to
the golf links yesterday afternoon and
defeated Z. +. Taft in spirited contest.
Asking for a Pardon.
Senators Johnston of Alabam and Talia-
ferro of Florida asked the President to-
day to grant pardon to w. S. Harland
of Lockport, Ala, who will soon have to
begin serving a sentence of eighteen
months in the Atlanta penitentiary Har-
land was convicted of peonage at Pensa-
cola. Fla, and was sentenced to eighteen
months in prison and to pay fine of
5000. He appealed, and a short time
ago the circuit court of appeals sustained
the lower court, although Judge Pardee,
dissenting from the other two judges.
thought that Harland had been convicted
without jurisdiction. Harland's friends
claim that he is not guilty of the charge
against him. and should not have been
convicted. The President has promised to
give the case consideration. His interven-
ton is asked before the convicted man
has to begin sentence.
Other White House Callers.
Justice Holmes of the United States Su-
preme Court was one of the Presidents
callers today.
Senator Root had a long conference
with President Taft this morning, but re-
turned to the Senate without disclosing
his business. When asked what he
thought about adjournment he expressed
the opinion that July 1 would find Con-
gress through with the tariff.
Mrs. Geneveve Longfield Lane, national
president of the Ladies of the Grand
Army of the Republic, called on the Presi-
dent today and conveyed the best wishes
of the organization over which she pre-
sides.
YIIa L. Ra,,aa;,ar of III.llia.,a na..