The Washington herald., 1909-04-25

Continued clashes over authority are
responsible for the oral charges fled with
the President by Secretary Nagel. Of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor,
against S. n. D. North. Director Of the
Census.
The Cabinet officer has asked the Presi-
dent to have certain conditions invesH-
gated. and It is believed in many quar-
ters that It VIII result finally in the re
tirement Of Mr.. North.
Secretary NageTs request directly in
wolves the allegation that Mr.. North has
exercised authority for which Mr. Nagel
was responsible. and he has signihed that
he CNageD either must exercise the su-
thority himself OF be relieved Of the re-
sponsibnity.
Mr North and the Secretary Of Com
merce and Labor have been al cross
points ever since the Census Bureau was
placed under the Jurisdiction Of that de-
partment. In the organic law creating
the department. the Secretary was given
authority over the bureau. II Is said
Director North has undertaken the dis
bursement Of accounts without consult
ing the Secretary. and Mr.. Nsgel wants
10 know why he should be held response
bic under the law for such action when
he has been given no chance to exercise
authority.
Printing Fund Chief Cause.
The chief case in consideration is that
Of the census printing fund. involving an
expenditure OF $4,000. over which The
Director OF the Census is said 20 have
assumed supreme authority. although re-
sponslbility for the disbursement lies
with the Secretary.
Formal charges have not been fled
with the President by Mr.. Nagel, nor
does he contemplate taking such step.
He simply told the President in cold.
plain words that he must exercise the
authority over matters for which he is 10
stand sponsor
Nor has Secretary NageI told the Presi-
dent that the bureau was "honeycombed
with immortality Intirnations that he
had made the latter charge have aroused
unbounded indignation among govern
ment employees in Washington. and per-
sons in a position 10 know declare this
feature Of the bureau sensation is IN
grounded.
Secretary Nagel said yesterday that in
timatiOns that he had made reflections on
women employed in the bureau were not
based on facts: that he had not made
an investigation OF the conditions, and
intended no such action
The President held two conferences with
Secretary Nsgel yesterday. They simply
went over the statements previously made
BY Cabinet officers 70 the effect that a
definition Of authority over the bureau
must be given IN order to obtain the best
results
Appeared Before Senate Committee.
That Mr.. North had displeased him by
assumption Of control over certain work
was shown when Secretary Nagel appear
ed before the Senate Census Committee
at the hearing on the bill providing for
the taking Of the thirteenth and subse-
ouent deceuniaI censuses
I very much dislike responsibility with
out authority. which l believe is at the
bottom Of a good deal OF the bad legis-
iation Of the day"
This was the statement made b. Mr..
NegeI 20 the Senate committee when ask
ing Just what he was supposed to DO in
connection with the next census work
4 an rather at q loss 20 know what the Sec-e-
tsry Of the department Is expected 10 do with re-
spect to the taking q this cens1s. continued Sec
retRry SzEel. 4 am not locking after ANY more
employment than ! have and il the purpose Of
this bill is 20 plsce the entire responsibility upon
the Director 0f the Census. ! shall be delighted
II the purpose Is 70 retain certain responsibility
under the general act Of 1872 in the Secretary Of
Conmerce ard LabO. I. OF course, an interested
70 know that
Il can see how the directcr ard may work il
out satisfactorily as the bill stands but as read
Continued on Page 10, Column 4.