The Washington times., 1910-03-02
Secretary Believed to Be
Particularly Eligible for
Retirement.
POOR IMPRESSION
IN BALLINGER TRIAL
Testimony at Hearing at Capitol
Proves Most Embarrassing 10
the Administration.
By JAMES HAY, j.

That James Wilson, Secretary
Of Agriculture, has made himself
particularly eligible for retirement
from the Presidents Cabinet, and
that his career as an adviser # Mr..
Taft may end in the near future, are
the rumors today in political circles.
MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED.
These opinions are based on the
poor impression Mr.. Wilson made
yesterday afternoon before the Bal
lingeT-Pinchot investigating com
mittee. and the obvious inference
shat be. at least, allowed, when he
might have easily prevented Pin
chot sending to Senator Dolnver
the insubordinate letter which re-
suited in the chief forester's sepa-
ration from the Government service.
Taft Embarrassed
Friends of the President are frank
today in their avowal that the situation
IS extremely embarrassing TO the Presl-
dent. This Is because those who heard
Mr.. Wilson's testimony before the com
nittee gained the impression that tie
Secretary Of Agriculture was not as
strenuous fl his opposition 10 the Doi-
liver letter before IL was read in the
Senate as he WIS after the storm broke.
Moreover. II Is claimed that Dir. wilson,
in his. testimony, did NOT even make II
clear that he wss ignorant Of the tenor
of the letter, before Pnchot sent It to
Doniver.
Difficult Case.
Admitting the embarrassment 20 the
/ President. his friends say further that
/ II IS hard 10 see how Mr.. Taft can end
I the embarrassment Il he takes steps
I 10 get rid OF the present Secretary Of
/ Agriculture, it may be charged that he
I is Furnishing Mr.. Wilson for not UNFOLD
ing the Administration. II he Goes not
I take such steps, Il NAV he said thar
I Mr Wilson has been allowed 10 indulge
at least in the appearance Of having
agreed 10 FinchOt's criticism OF the
! President.
Pinchot's unqualified declaration that
/ be showed the letter 20 Wilson, and
! that Wilson made no objection 10 II
/ In support Of this statement, Mr. Pin
I chot has had incorporated in the record
! OF the hearings his letter transmitting
+ 10 Mr. Wilson a copy Of the letter 20
! Doiliver. Against this, stands the as
! sertion Of the Secretary Of Agriculture
81 fr1 4
/ famous letter 20 the Senator.
/ Interest in the situation grows be-
/ cause OF the fact that for a long time
ii has been an open secret that neither
! the President nor the other members of
! the Cabinet would have been moved 20
/ tears BY the resignation Of Wilson as
( lead Of the Department Of Agriculture.
( On various occasions there have been
| apparently well founded stories that Mr..
/ Wilson was expected 10 resign and that
/ his successor was being sought.
Expected to Retire.
AS far back as the pre-snauc7lrstion
! periOtI when Mr.. Taft was at Augusta.
Ga, i. became known tha5 Mr.. Wilson
would "in all probability resign as
soon as he had achieved his desire of
a longer service in the Cabinet than
had been enjoyed by any other man in
the history OF this country. This would
nave put him out Of the Cabinet last
summer, but he did not go
The political prophets say he would
have gone willy-niljy h,lt for the
strength he has had s. far among the
farming elements OF tie country's popU-
/ lauon, and that all which was desired
10 get nd OF him was a good excuse.
/ Now. they say, the excuse has come.
esPe lally IS his testimony before the
committee yesterday gave the impres-
sion that he has little knowIedge Of
the subject Of forestry.
| The talk today goes so far as to sI1E-
gCSt the names Of two men. either one
OF whom may succeed the present Sec
retaTy. They are RepreSen1ati7-e 500
Of Kansas. and Renick Duniap Stsre
food and dairy commissioner for Ohio
Mr. ScOtts name has frequently been
| brought TO the front in this connection
and some Of the reports nave had il
that Mr.. Scott has been assured the
position IN case Of Wilson's getting
out.
Record Is Good.
Recently, however. great pressure has
been brought TO bear IN behalf OF Dun
lap, who has made q good record in
his present position
At the White House, no statement
was given out as to the probable fate
Of Mr. Wilson. On every hand il IS
: pointed out that there is no question
of the Secretary's good faith, but il
Is explained he may not have remem-
bered exactly what happened in con
nection with the DOlliver letter, anC
that, if he forgot having seen il anC
/ later voted in the Cabinet for Pin.
chots dismissal from the service. the
two acts are easily reconciIable by Mr.
Wilson having made a mistake.
| But, however that may be. the sit
Uation embarrasSes the administration
/ because ii does not show that il h.:
? always had as active and servicea oI,
= cooperation from Mr.. Wilson as nigh
I have been expected.
= And the secretary did nothing an,
1 said nothing before the committee yes
= terCay to dispel this unfavorabIs i'm