New-York tribune., 1909-04-25
NORTH CASE DISCUSSED
SECRETARY NIGEL SEES
THE PRESIDENT TWICE.
Officials Look for Directors Resig-
nation PorerfuI Influences Nay
Try to SaUe HIM.
From The Tribune Bureau.


Washington, April 24-The announcement Of
the conflict between the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor and the Director OF the Census, and
that the President was seriously considering re-
Iieving Director North of his office, created a
sensation in Washington to-day, not only at the
census bureau but also at the White House ana
at the Department of Commerce and Labor
Secretary NageI, who was early sought by
newspaper correspondents, declined to discuss
the case beyond saying that there was an issue
between him and Director North He would not
say that he had demanded Mr. North's official
head neither would-he deny it. When asked as
to the charges he had preferred at the white
House he said he had not formally preferred
charges. and as for the Cabinet meeting ne dld
not consider that he had any right to discuss
the proceedings of the Cabinet. He said he had
not sought to influence Congress in its prepara-
ton of the census bill beyond urging that both
responsibility for and authority over the census
force be vested in one individual II Congress
wished to make Mr.. North the responsible head
he said he had not the slightest objection He
had merely contented himself with pointing out
the incongruity of making him responsible for
the bureau and delegating all authority to the
director
Early in the day Secretary Nagel went to the
White House. and coming away said that
he had discussed the NOrIn case Will liO iVSA
dent. but would say nothing else. In the after
noon he visited the President again, ana Oh
leaving the White House said he had again dis
cussed the subject, and that there was direct
issue between him and Director North, He said
he had not preferred formal charges against the
director and had made no formal investigation,
but that there was question which must be
settled
When asked if ne had chosen a successor for
Mr. North Secretary NageI would not say he
had not some one in mind. but remarked that II
was Of course, a Presidential appointment.
An official close to the President said it had
not been necessary for the Secretary OF COM
merce and Labor to make any investigation OF
conditions in the census bureau. as they were
widely known as were also the circumstances
attending Director Norths insubordination II
is learned that the Postmaster General added
his experience when Mr.. Nagel brought the sub
tect up at the Cabinet meeting. and that other
members of the Cabinet expressed the BELIEF
that there should be a change,
The opinion prevails in official quarters that
! President Taft will accept Director Nortn
resignation soon. ard high officials assert that
they believe the dispatch to this mornings IT'D
une was accurate in all essentials. although pos
sibly susceptible of some technical denial oi de-
tails The same opinion was expressed IN Con
gressonal circles where it is reiterated that
powerful influences will be exerted 20 save IHe
official head Of the director.
At the White House Secretary Carpenter
contented himself with the statement that he
was not at liberty to say anything regarding
the North story When asked for some indica-
tion Of the facts he said he could neither aiIIh
nor deny the allegations; that IL was matte,
solely for the discretion of the President anu
that he had nothing 10 say. ~
Director North, who appeared to-day before
the Appropriations Committee of the House
also declined absolutely tn say anything on tns
subject He would not give the slightest intl-
| nation Of his views
Mr North also at the Capltol thiS alIeI-
,oon comforting with Senator Crane OF Massa-
chusettS and others.