The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-08


senate and with the administration
supporters is ready for the fray, which
is certain to ensue.
Political observers declare the stu
alton created is the most tense of
many years No one is willing to
prophesy the outcome.
Insurgent Victory
In the house Speaker Cannon lost
his first fight to the insurgents, who,
combining with the Democrats, caused
to be adopted an amendment to the
Ballinger- Pinchot inquiry resolution
so as to take from the speaker the
power to appoint the house members
of the joint special committee of in
vestigation. The margin of victory was
narrow one of three votes, but the
insurgents and Democrats alike are
jubilant. The dismissal of Pinchot has
lent fuel to the flames of their cele-
bration and they are venturing all
manner. of predictions as to what is to
happen in the future
Three Republicans, not classed as
insurgents, but who profess their
friendship for Pinchot, voted with the
insurgents and Democrats for the
amendment, which calls for the selec-
ton from the floor.
1t was at the end of a special cabi-
net session last night that the presi-
dent gave out the letter he had writ
ten to Mr.. Pinchot.
Secretary Wilson, Pinchot's imme-
date superior. it appears, was one of
the forester's chief accusers. He told
President Taft that he had advised
Mr. Pinchot not to send the letter to
Senator Dolliver; that Pinchot had
told him he had such letter in mind
and could induce. Senator Dolliver''
to read 1t on the very day that Presi-
dent Taft's special message transmit
ting the attorney generals exonera-
ton OF Secretary Ballinger was to be
presented to the senate. 1t was this
story of Pinchot's apparently calcu-
lated INSTRUMENTATION that aroused the
president to keenest resentment.
Dismissal Carefully Considered.
Mr.. Taft accused Pinchot of having
taken his stand against Secretary Bal
hnger wholly upon the evidence adduc-
ed by L. r. CLAWS and without regard
for the evidence on the other side on
file in the interior department. The
letter directing Secretary Wilson to dis
miss the forester forthwith was care
fully framed during the afternoon sit
ting of the cabinet and was revised sew
eral times before finally being made
public. 1t is the presidents own state
ment of the case.
When Mr.. Pinchot received the presi-
dents letter and Secretary Wilson's
rote of dismissal. nothing about his de-
meanor indicated he was surprised or
ment of sounds of merriment floating
down from above stairs, where was
party of guests, Mr.. Pinchot came down
to meet the reporters, smiling and I'M
dismayed. Asked il he would say any,
thing for publication he replied:
ut will suit me just as well if you
will make for me just that simple state
ment: have nothing to say"
Pinchot's friends have for weeks been
declaring the president would not dare
n hof
cause a breach between Taft and Roose-
welt and that it would cause such a
split in the Republican party as has not
been seen in years" Friends of the
president said. however, the actual dis
misSal of Pinchot could add nothing to
the embarrassment of the administra-
ton inasmuch as all the ammunition of
Pinchot and his party had already been
directed against Secretary Ballinger,
and through him against the president.
AS for a possible breach between Mr..
Taft and ex-President Roosevelt that
subject is much debated. but any dis
cussion of that obviously is entirely
speculative. On the subject of a party
split, all Republicans here regard the
situation as exceedingly serious.
1t Means Hot Fight.
Party leaders in congress declare the
controversy and the summary action
of the president are sure to lead to
many harsh words in congress and to
much bitterness of feeling throughout
the country. They say, however, that
the president could not with dignity,
have taken any other course; that Pin
chot had 'tdefied the lightning and
there was nothing else for the lightning
to do.
So unexpectedly was the insurgent
victory over Speaker Cannon in the
house accomplished that the insurgents
and their Democratic allies could hard
ly believe their ears when the speaker
announced the vote. For an instant
almost complete silence reigned then
the storm broke and for almost a full
minute the noise in the chamber was
deafening.
The organization leaders made no at
tempt to conceal their confusion. There
was a hurried conference at Represent
tative DalzelPS desk and for a time the
insurgents feared their triumphs was
to be short lived as of the 25 Repub-
leans who voted for the amendment
had not been classed with their number
and they suspected that at least one of
them might have voted in the affirma-
tive in order that he might move to
reconsider in event the amendment
carried. But no such move was made
1t developed the three regulars who
voted for the amendment were all
stauch friends of Chief Forester
Pinchot. They were Representatives
Ames of Massachusetts and Fish and
Parsons of New York. The insurgent
ranks had but one deserter, STEINER
son of Minnesota. Strangely enough
Fitzgerald CT New York was the only
Democrat to cast his vote with the
Republican regulars, although he led
the minority night on the joint resolu-
ton. Republican leaders attributed
their defeat t. the large number of
absentees, but the tide of battle was
really turned by Mr.. Pinchot's three
friends.
Taft's Letter.
President Taft's letter to Forester
Pinchot informing him of his dismiss
sal. follows:
1.-THE White House, Washington,
Jan. Z, 1910.-Sir: The secretary of
agriculture informs me that on the
2Sth of December your associate for