The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-03

Unless President Taft reverses a
decision he has made upholding
Secretary Ballingerin refusing to al
low A. c, Shaw, dismissed employe
OF the Forest Service, to prosecute
patent claims before the Interior
Department, one of the bitterest
fights ever seen in connection with
the conservation quarrel will be pre-
cipitated on the floor of the House
by Representative Robert n. Page
of the Seventh North Carolina dis
trict.
The fight may even reach the
floor Of the Senate, if Senator Root
does not prevent it, through the
medium Of Senators Overman and
Simmons, who are supporting
Shaw in his contention that he
should be allowed to earn a liveli-
hood by practicing before the de
partment of which Secretary Bal
linger is the head.
END FAR FROM SIGHT.
Louis r Claws was we'll within the
bounds of reason when he feared last
spring anG1smnmer that th1 Alaskan ooal
lands and the differences of opinion ia
regard 10 them would involve persons at
! tached to the administration in a fight
The night is growing. the end being very
far from sight
Following close on the heels OF the
direct question OF verscity opened be-
tween Mr. Pinchot and another member
Of the Cabinet in the Belinger investiga-
ton, when Secretary Wilson contradicted
the former Forester as to his having given
permission for the letter the conserva-
tionist sent Senator Dolliver. came the
news last night that the President holds
Shaw as being the man most responsible
for the whole quarrel
Shaw is now a member Of the District
bar. and for three years preceding the
Ballinger-Pinchot row had openly ex-
pressed his intention OF eventually retir-
ing from the government service It was
his desire to practice law in this city. and
particularly to practice the prosecution OF
patent claims before the Interior Depart
ment. Mr.. Shaw applied to Secretary Bal
linger for recognition as an attorney. and
was refused. Carrying his case TO Rep
resentative Page. whom he has known
for twenty years. and whose wife is a
distant relative OF his. Mr.. Shaw urged
that an appeal from Secretary Ballinger's 5
decision be made in his behalf to the
President
Holds shaw Responsible.
Representative Page, backed by sena-
tors Overman and Simmons. OF North
Carolina, who also know Mr.. Shaw, ap-
peared before the President last Satur-
day morning at the White House and
asked that he intercede for Mr.. Shaw
with Secretary Ballinger. This the
President it is understood declined to
90, and II Is said By those in the room
at the time. OF whom there were about
twenty-five, that the President firmly
expressed his opinion that Mr.. shaw.
and not Mr.. CLAWS. was responsible for
articles in the newspapers and in Col
liers Weekly. whiSh had so much 10 do
bic; in other words. that Mr.. Shaw.
more than any other man, was respon-
sible for giving to the newspapers and
magazines data on which attacks on
Secretary Ballinger were based. 1t is
understood that the President regarded
Mr.. Shaw's actions in the whole matter
as being such that he was not a proper
person to be allowed to practice patent
claims before a government department
Resolution Decided On.
After consultation with Senators Over
man and Simmons. upon leaving the
White House. Representative Page de-
termined to present in the House on
Monday a resolution inquiring of Secre-
tary Ballinger why Shaw was not TO be
permitted TO earn his livelihood before
the Interior Department Mr. Shaw called
upon him, and dssuaded Mr.. Page from
this public sitting OF the question. saying
that he would have q friend see Senator
Root. and ask Senator Root to intercede
with the President in the effort to obtain
a reversal of the Presidents decision.
Representative Psges received a message
from Senator Root that he would take
the matter up and inquire of the At
torney General before seeing the Pres.-
dent what Mr. Shaw's property rights In
the matter are. BY property rights. -
1t is understood. Senator Root meant
Mr.. Shaw's right to earn his livelihood
before the Interior Department So the
matter rests. and 1t is expected that Mr
Root will consult with the President In
regard TO Mr.. Shaw's status as soon as
he has had a conference with Attorney
General Wickersham.