The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-01-13

OF Clifford Pinchot. Mr.. Pinchot is
the last representative OF the Roose-
welt policies in the present admins
tfation. lie Is the leading forestry
expert in the world, and Mr.. TAFT
himself said Of him a few weeks
ago that his loss would be irrepar-
able to the United States And yet
Taft fired" him.
Il is the latest chapter in the Bal
linger row. A recent move of the
Ballinger crowd TO stop the scandal
had been the issuing Of an order
that no employee OF the government
should give any Congressman any
Information without the permission OF
the head of the Department. II is
very doubtful whether this order
wac legal, as Congress has always had
the right 10 ask any government em-
ployee or any one else for any in
formation 1t wanted, and COMPEL
THEM TO GIVE II. Stin the ord
er went into effect But the friends
Of Balllnger were not affected by
the order. They went right on talk
ing, and counted on the order to keep
Pinchot quiet. They guessed wrong,
and when Sen. Dolliver asked Pinchot
for certain information. Pinchot gave
II. Dolliyor read the letter in the
Senate, and the President fired Pin
chot for insubordination. In his let
ter removing the Chief FORESTER, Mr.
Taft makes certain statements which
are denied by almost every one hay-
ing anything TO do with them, and
practically calls Dolliver a liar. II
IS evident that Taft took the word
OF Ballinger's friends for these
facts. Then, 70 get good and even,
the insurgents and Democrats succeed
ed in taking away from Cannon the
power TO appoint the men who would
represent the House In investigating
the row. Tha. spells the whitewash-
ing plan. There the matter rests
Cannon Is trying to think OF some
plan to get the men he wants on
that committee. Taft is wondering
where the lightning will strike next,
anl Pinchot, a man with millions, is
getting ready 10 take up outside the
government service the fight for the
people which he has so long and SO
successfully waged in office.
So, after only nine months of the
administration Of a president who
went in with an immense majority
and high hopes and backed by the
universal good wishes OF all parties.
we find that the Republican party is
breaking up, the ayowed policies Of
the last administration, as embodied
in their most distinguished exponent
are spat upon and insulted, the presi-
dent himself is rapidly losing the
confidence of tho people, and there
Is strong evidence that the next Con-
gress will not be under the same con-
troll as this ono. What Is the reason?
The first pl..ce TO seek II, OF course.
is in the act,onc of Pres. Taft. and
as all others are more or less con-
nected with him, let us consider his
actions since he assumed office.
The Citizen correspondent has ne
yer shared tho views of those who
believe Taft would become a friend
of the interests. He knows that
Taft was Roosevelts closest person.
al friend, and that the two planned
the campaign together. Did their
plans stop there? l believe not. i
believe that the two men, agreeing
as to the desired ends, outlined a
certain course of action, which they
believed would accomplish the great
est good for the greatest number.
and that Taft was chosen as the
man to carry it thru.
Any observer OF the last two adj
ministrations will recognize at once
that there were certain great weak
nesses- In the Roosevelt methods,
While he prevented many wrongs, and
accomplished some good, he aroused
SO much opposition as to defeat many
of the measures he was working for.
He scared people, but he also made
them mad. Laws were not what they
should be, and the desirable thing was