The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-07
HELPED OUT CLAWS

HELPED OUT GLANtSs
IN that letter Mr.. Pinehot conceded that
Associate Forester Price and Law officer
Shaw, Of the Forest Service both su-
bordinates OF his, had assisted Special
Agent CLAWS. Of the Land Office, in pre-
parlng his indictment against Secretary
Ballinger.
Claws IS the man who was dismissed
from the government service by authority
Of President Taft, on the ground that he
had wrongfuny attacked the official con-
duct Of the Secretary Of the Interior.
Mr.. Pinchot in his letter said Price and
shaw had been reprimanded. as they
deserved 70 be. but he indicated that this
should end the matter. as far as they
were concerned. and proceeded TO defend
them. because, N his opinion. they acted
from a high and unselhsh sense OF public
duty"
A Mistaken Impression.
Another thing said by Mr.. Pinchot was
in effect that the dismissal OF CLAWS
had come from what he believed was a
mistaken impression Of the facts, and ne
spoke OF Glayis as the most vigorous
defender OF the peoples interests
There was a general agreement be-
tween the President and his four Cabinet
ofncers that Mr.. Pinchot's action mad
been most unfortunate
The details Of the discussion at the
White House are not disclosed but II Is
understood Attorney General Wicker
sham speaking more as a lawyer than
as a member Of the administration was
OF the opinion that Mr.. Pinchot had tres
passed so far against official propriety'
that the only proper course TO take was
to dismiss him peremptoriIy from the
office which he holds
However. a further discussion Of the
subiect developed the view that hasty
action should not be taken. and it is un-
derstood that at the suggestion OF SEQ
retarv MacVeagh and Secretary Wilson,
decision In the matter was deferred until
to-day.
It ts understood nothing occurred at the
TO indicate an opinion on the
part of any of those present that Mr.
Pinohot was actuated in writing the let
ter by any improper motive. But there
was a feeling that Mr.. Pinchot had as
sumed the attitude of a privileged char
acter and seemed to regard himself as
immune from the exercise of superior au-
thOrity.
Theme I'm Senate.
Fulivened by Senator Delivers presen-
tation of a letter from the Chief Forest
er. forestalling his enemies. and capped
by President Tafts transmission of the
Attorney Generals report Of the case.
the discussion OF the Ballinger-PinchOt
feud held the attention OF the upper
House yesterday.
A great part Of the session was taken
I'D by consideration OF the resolution In
troduced by Senator Jones, authorizing
iolnt inquiry into the controversy.
A resolution offered by Senator New
lands. directing the Public Lands Com
mlttee TO recommend conservation legis-
lation within two weeks. was injected
into the debate, and after an hour OF
speechmaking. both measures were re-
ferred to the committee for action.
Senator Dolliver exploded his bomb
Just as matters were quieting down, and
certain Of his colleagues shook their
heads in dlsapproval as the Chief For
ester's communication was being read
from the desk.
AS climax to the debate the papers
and documents touching on the Interior
Department fight were laid before the
Senate. and Attorney General Wicker
sham's criticism of L. R. CLAWS served
as a. fitting elimination OF the days pro-
ceedings.