Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-08-30
TAFT ACCEPTS
THE RESIGNATION
McHarg Says He Does Not Want
Job Any Longer

menting on the recent criticism 81
Pinchot. Of the forestry department
by ormsby McHarg. Acting secretary
Of the department Of commerce and
labor. Secretary Ballinger said before
he took his departure for the east
that the statement made was just like
MeIarg. and that he was right about
it. and that he was always loyal to
his friends. Ballinger said that he
had been called to Washington to
take up some important matters
which had been accommodating for the
past. two months. and during his abb
sence these things arose which now
require his immediate return and his
personal attention. He asserts that
his quick return is an emergency cali
from his department. Ballinger said
almost the last thing before taking
the train that he did not think the
resignation Of McHarg and the
prompt acceptance by President Taft
had any bearing upon McHarg's criti-
cism.
Secretary Nagel, head of the de-
partment, had a conference with
President Taft yesterday ana dis
cussed the question OF successor to
McHarg. Secretary NageI received a
letter from the assistant secretary
saying that he must adhere to his
first intention OF remaining In the de-
partment only six months. This
term will expire September 4, and by
that time Secretary Nagel expects to
be ready to announct the choice OF a
new assistant.
McHarg announced some time ago
that he would soon engage in private
business. In his letter to Secretary
Nagel he says, however, that II sue
cessor cannot be found by September
4 he viii continue in ONCE until octo-
Der 1.
Mr.. McHarg is said to have grown
bitter over the free manner in which
some of the government offlcials in
Washington, generally known as the
Roosevelt element. have been criti-
cising members of the Taft admins
tration. Consequently he is reported
to have expressed his own views, and
the controversy started by Chief For
ester Pinchot and Secretary BaIlinger.
is declared here to be growing to
such proportions that the president
will have to take hand.
Mr.. Taft has been reluctant to take
official cognizance of the controversy
which started at the irrigation con-
gress in Spokane. continued through
the Mississippi congress at Dem
yer and since has been waged at the
national capital 1t seems now, how
ever. that he will have to take a hand
in the tangle.
President Taft also had with him
Secretaries Knox and Meyer. 1t is
said that the Pinchot-Ballinger con-
t.oyersy had share in the discussion.
President Taft has no engagement
to see Secretary Ballinger earlier
than just prior to his arrival in Seat
tie on September 20.
Mr.. Ballinger has accepted an in
vitation to accompany the president
on large part of the latter's Pacific
coast itinerary. The invitation was
extended prior to the outburst Of the
controversy and has no especial signi-
canoe. It viii oGTer an opportunity.
however. for Mr.. Ballinger to lay his
case before the president.
When informed last night that
President Taft had decided TO accept
his resignation, ormsby McHarg. as
sistant secretary of commerce and
labor, merely stated that It had been
in the presidents hands for some
time.
While declining 10 express an opin-
ion as to whether he thought the ac-
eeptanee had any connection with his
attacks on the forest reserve. Mr.. Ne
Harg referred to an interview he had
given earlier IN the day. in which he
had declared that II any OF the pri-
vate views he had expressed were
considered embarrassing to afr. Taft
In the slightest degree he was ready |
to sever his connection with the gov
eminent Immediately. Mr.. McHarg
vigorously denied the references to
Theodore Roosevelt. attributed to