The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-02
WILSON DENIES
PINCHOT'S CLAIM
,Continucd from rag. ou..p

the chief executive never intended
should become public were disclosed
today when Clifford Pinchot. discharg
ed chief forester read from the Wit
ness stand al the congressional com
mittees hearing OF the Balinger'
Pinchot controversy letter 10 MIN
from President TAFT In which the
writer besought him not 10 leave the
public service because OF the presi'
dents exoneratlon OF Secretary Bal
linger
Ine letter indicates how greatly the
president had been disturbed by the
squabble in his official family. and his
purpose to bring To an end the bicker-
ings between different departments
and bureaus. The president took oc-
casion TO refer to certain alleged IN
terviews given out by Ormsby Nc
Hayg, when assistant secretary OF
commerce and labor, criticising for
mer President Roosevelt Concern
ing McHarg. President Taft wrote
that He was all efficient officer, but
he talked too much and wildly and
his withdrawal relieved me-
The letter is addressed: Dear Gii-
ford.
Il enclose herewith" 1t says "a
letter which | am about TO send to
Secretary Ballinger for such use as
he sees At, In reference To the charges
by CLAWS against Secretary Ballinger
Pierce. bennett and Schwartz. l have
reached this conclusion only after
very full consideration OF CLAWS
statement. and their answers to IL,
hut never reached conclusion based
on a stronger conviction than is this
CLAWS seems to be man VIM
has acquired one idea, and who mas
allowed his suspicious 10 grow To
such "a point as TO be altogether ais
ingenious in the statement of evidence
which he adduces 10 sustain his at
tack upon his superiors.
Il have made no reference TO you
In this letter. which will probably be
made public in case ! do not wish 20
bring you into the controversy at all
| have advised Mr.. Ballinger and his
subordinates that | wish your name
left out OF the matter In their answers
and references should IL become nee
essary. as is not unlikely, 10 send the
whole record to congress.
II am aware from the tone OF your
letter, and from your conversation
with me, that you do not give TO Mr..
Balinger the confidence and trust
vi ich | 40: and in this respect
think you do Mr.. Ballinger injustice.
| think YOU have allowed your en-
thusastic interest In the cause OF con
servation and your impotence at
legal obstacles and difficulties, to mis-
lead you in this regard.
II write this TO urge upon you that
You do not make Claws cause yours
You had no aCcess to the records
which CLAWS had access to, and YOU
lid not know the explanation Tor
some OF TIE things that he pointed our
az suspicious which he ought 10 have
made known 10 you and 10 me.
Il cannot FOR a minute permit him
to remain as a subordinate in the in
terror department. or In the public
service. II would be fatal to proper
discipline.
"On the other hend, | wish you To
know thai | have the utmost conf
dence in your conscientious desire 70
Lerve the government and the public
In the intensity Of your purpose &c
achieve success IT. the matter OF con
servation OF natural resources, and In
the immense value Of what you have
done and propose to do with reference
to forestry and kindred methods 81
conservation and that | am thoroughly
in sympathy with all of these policies
and propose To do everything that
can 10 maintain them, insisting only
that the action forrvhich become re-
sponsible. or for which my administra'
iion becomes responsible, shall he
pithin the law.
Il write this latter To prevent hasty
action on vour part IN taking up CLAWS
cause or IN Directing TO my sustain
ing Ballinger and his subordinates
within the interior department. as a
reason for your withdrawing from the
public service.
Il have been greatly disturbed by
the public discussion carried on in the
press. from which Il is inferred that
YOUR bureau is arrGyed against the IN.
terror department and that material is
being furnished for 10th sides from OF
fetal sources | was especially dis
tressed ny McHarg's reported inter
views. though believe he now repudi.
stes any criticism or slurrng remarks
President Roosevelt. He
was an efficient officer. but he talked
too much and toe wildly. and his with.
drawal relieved me. | must bring
uublic discussion CT the departments
and bureaus to an end. IL is most
demoralizing and subversive OF gov
ernmental discipline and efficiency:
want you To help me In this. ! can
enforce ,eam work il ! can keep public
servants out OF newspaper discus
sons"
The McHarg interview as mentioned
IN the presidents letter was given by
Crmsby McHarg when he was assist
ant secretary OF commerce and labor
In them ne severely scored President
Roosevelt declaring that "he thought
be vas the lord, anu he acted like that
a good deal around the country"
DEATHS INROADS BRINGS
nv,vr