Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-14
BALLINGER AND CANNON co
REIMBURSEMENT in Circles Close to
President Taft in Progress.
SECRETARY WILL RESIGN SOON
September Fifteenth Fixed Ne Date
for stepping Out-CannOn win
he Much Harder to
Handle.


BEVERLY. Mass, Aug. 49, - Certain
events Of yesterday following incidents Of
the last week or so. lead to the conclusion
that complete political readjustment In
Icircles close to president Taft is in progress.
Senator Nelson w. Aldrich Of Rhode Island
called to see the president today before the
chief executive had finished his morning
meal He talked with the president thirty
five minutes. He found that Mr.. Taft had
not had an opportunity to read the sena-
tors reply to Senator Bristow's charges
regarding the rubber tariff. The president
was gratified, however, that Senator Aid
rich had consented to make a statement
In doing so, II Is said the senator from
Rhode Island performed an act which fitted
| exactly into program which has been
framed by party leaders close to the presi-
dent.
| Although he Is not to retire until March
1911, and Senator Aldrich confirmed TO
President Taft today his intention to do so,
the REIMBURSEMENT plans which are in prog
ress apparently treat whatever influence
Mr.. Aldrich may have had with the presl-
dent as thing OF the past.
BalIinEer to Retire.
me elimination Of Mr.. .A1drich, according
70 close political observers, is soon to be
Followed by the retirement OF Secretary
Richard Ballinger from the cabinet.
Mr.. Ballinger has lost practically all of
mis- personal fortune In defending himself
from the attacks that have been made upon
him. 1t is said tnat one attorneys fee alone
In the congressional investigation cost him
$lO'OOO II the secretary is to recover these
losses 1t Is said he must soon resume the
practice OF law which he left in his home
state to take up the duties of head of the
interior department. The retirement of Mr.
Pallinger is fixed for September Is. The
congressional committee will have reported
by that time and the date is sufficiently
early to. take the so-called Ballinger issue
out Of the campaign.
The third move in contemplation is said
to be directed against Speaker Cannon. II
Is not admitted in Beverly that Mr.. Cannon
will even be a candidate for the speaker
ship.
The Cannon situation, as a thing of the
future, is little difficult to handle Only
1t is known that the president would like
to see change; however it is believed
that all doubts about the result will be
removed.
Reports have reached Beverly that the
recent results in Kansas and Iowa were due
largely to the activity of Speaker Cannon
in Kansas, to the charges against Senator
Aldrich and doubt in the west as to
whether he actually intended to retire. The
situation developed in these two states
evidently has made an impression upon The
party leaders that has stirred them to
action.
Senator Aldrich talked with the president
regarding his rubber statement, and Nj. |
Taft listened with great interest. Mr.
Aldrich also told Mr.. Taft of his plan 10
make a speech during the fall in one of the |
western states defending the Payne-Aldrich
act as a whole and particularly replying to
the charges made in reference to the cotton |
schedule.
Senator w. Murray Crane of Massa-
chusetts had been one of the active forces
in the new parliament. 1t was he who went |
west to see Secretary Ballinger and 1t was
he also who went to see Senator Aldrich
at Warwick. r. l., last Sunday. Hereafter
Senator Cranes movements will be watched
with peculiar interest.
There have been stories in progress Of
friction between Mr.. Hitchcock and Senator
Crane and some political jealousy as to
their influence with the administration.
These stories are declared here to be with
out foundation. The president, 1t is said
will continue to send both Senator Crane
and Mr.. Hitchcock on missions to which
they are best suited. No question has
arisen as to their political precedence.
Mr.. Hitchcock participated in the confer
ence which the president had this afternoon
with four republican leaders from Tennes-
see. The republicans are laying plans to
capture that southern state this fall and
they. hope to do so with the aid of the in
dependent democrats.
Republicans Anxious to Hold Ground.
The republicans are anxious to hold the
ground for independent political action in
the state which they say was gained at
the recent judicial election. The Tennessee
ans who talked with the president were
Representative Austin, Newall Sander, the
state chairman; Leo Brock a member OF
the republican state executive committee
and Judge q. McHenderson.
| Mr.. Hitchcock also has been having a
series OF conferences with New York state
leaders which may have an important bear
ing upon the campaign.
| President Taft conferred with Mr.. Hitch
cock and Secretary Of the Treasury Mac
Veagh this afternoon regarding postal saw
ings banks. 1t is said now that the first of
these banks cannot be put in operation
until about November 1.
| Senator Dick of Ohio came to Beverly
today, but decided TO await the arrival here
tomorrow Of Warren G. Harding, the re-
publican nominee for governor, before call
! ing on the president
Although admitting that the fight in Ohio
is going to be hard one; that the cam
paign must be begun early and be carried
into every part of the state. Senator Dick
believes the republicans win win.