Evening star., 1909-04-24
CENSUS OFFICE ISSUE
Secretary NageI in Conflict
With Director North.
ONE OR OTHER TO RESIGN
Question of Authority Put Squarely
Up to the President.
CHARGES OF LOOSE CONDUCT
Mr.. Taft Said to Be Shocked by
Representations Made to Him.
Rumors at Capitol.
CHARGES OF LOOSE CONDUCT

s. N. ID. North. who has been director OF
the bureau for years. Mr. NageT con-
ferred with President Taft on the subject {,
this morning, and there seems to be lit |
tie doubt that Mr.. North will have to re- |
linquish the great power lie has exer-
cised as head of the bureau, become fully |
subordinate to Mr.. Nagel. or resign. The
opinion was widespread today that an is
sue has really been framed tha. means
either Nagel or North leaving the service
of the government. and if that is the
situation there appears today no doubt
as to the result Mr.. Nagel will stay.
Other questions are involved bu, the
main issue is one of alleged insubordina-
ton on the part of Director North.
When Mr.. Nagel took the oath OF office
seven weeks ago he almost Immediately
found a condition of affairs that had con-
fronted every Secretary of the department
on the part Of Mr.. North that meant his
intention to run his bureau without die
tation from the executive head of the de-
partment over which Mr.. Nagel presides.
The allegation is made that Secretary
Cortelyou quietly submitted to a certain
degree of this assumption. but that Secre
tary Straus found it practically Impossible
to bring the census bureau fully under his
control, and gave up in disgust without
making serious complaint 70 President
formation laid before President Taft.
Director North leaned toward Congress,
cultivating in careful manner the IN
f1uence of senator's and representatives.
and granting them every favor within his
power.
Clash Came Quickly.
The clash between Secretary Nasel and
Director North came quickly, and then
the issue was made. up. In the quiet,
judicial way that characteriZes every ac-
tion Secretary Nagel put the matter right
up to the President, and il was discussed
al a cabinet meeting. Mr.. Nagel was Sc
lected for the cabinet because he was
credited with being one of the greatest
lawyers in the country, man slow and
deliberate in action, but positive and de-
termined when he had reached conclu-
sion
Mr. Nagel positively declined to discuss
the subject when he left the White House
this morning, but later in the day he
made the statement that no formal
charses have been preferred by him
siders this unnecessary. and feels that
the President will accept his view OF the
matter and settle it upon that basis.
President Taft is unofficial1y represented
as having been greatly surprised that the
condition OF affairs represented to him
existed and was still more greatly sur
prised that it had existed. as he is told,
for some years. AS to the intimations of
moral condition repugnant to hum
dreds of employees in the office the Presi-
dent is said to have been shocked
The White House was absolutely de-
termined today to say nothing about the
matter. Secretary Carpenter said it was
manifestly impossible for the President
to confirm or deny every story in circu-
lation a bout subjects he had to handle.
In this particular case he had no inten-
tion 10 say anything.
Mr.. Nagel's Second Visit.
Secretary Nagel appears to have be-
come somewhat worried during the day
about the charges, and paid a second
visit to President Taft late this after
noon. He was then more frank about the
matter than in the morning, quietly say
ing that he had not preferred any for
NAL charges against Mr.. North; had not
investigated moral conditions in the bu-
reau, and had made no investigation at
any time. The question had presented
itself as to whether he should have full
or divided responsibility over the census
bureau, and he was not averse to set
ting that question at this time. The
Secretary desired it known that he had
made no investigation in any direction.
but that there had come up question of
administration as between himself and
Mr.. North, which had to he settled.
This official statement the first on the
North will have to resign or continue in
his Office subject to the directions of
Secretary Nagel. With the possibility that
his continuance In Office would be en-
tary Nagel, the belief is strong that Alr.
North will quickly hand in his resignation
and permit President Taft to name sue
cessor SO that preparations for the TAX
ing Of the next census may be made at
once.
Wants Issue Settled Quickly.
Secretary Nagel is said to have become
quickly convinced that he must have the
issue settled before the beginning of tie
next census. as it would be difficult to
bring about possible change of directors
at that time.
While the minor charges as to the
census bureau do not seem to be formally
before President Taft at this time. they
are regarded as forming part of the situa-
tion confronting the director of the CEN
sus. If he remains it will be with the
understanding that there must be
prompt cleaning out of certain chiefs of
divisions who are alleged to have used
their positions to intimidate employees and
to make promotions of favorites. Sena-
tor McCumber. in speech in the Senate
few days ago, made inimation as 10
influences of a disagreeable nature that
were being used in the census, although
he did not then name the bureau as the
place.
Director North has had back of him
two of the ablest men in the senate,
Messrs. Lodge and Aldrich. Nobody
knows how far they will come forward
In his behalf at this time. but it is GER
tain today that no influence can prevent
the resignation of Mr.. North if Secretary
Nagel has presented a case of insubordi-
nation and made the issue practically one
of himself or the director staying in office.
Reticence at the Capitol.
1t was impossible today to get any ex-
pressions of opinions at the Capitol re-
garding the charges which are alleged to
have been brought against Director North
of the census office. Friends of Mr. North
in the House and Senate said they had
he ard nothing about the matter. Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts, who is a friend
of Mr. North, was asked directly If there
was any foundation for the rumor that
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor Nagel
had demanded of the President the dis
missal of Mr.. North on the ground of
loose administration of the census Office.
Mr.. Lodge replied that he could not an
swer the question, as he knew nothing
about any such thing. He said he had not
been consulted on any matter of that kind
by Mr.. North.
A report was prevalent at the Capitol
today that Mr.. Nagle and Mr.. North had
a verbal setto before the census commit
tee of the Senate at the recent hearings
on the census bill.
If this be true there is no direct evil