The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-02-25
Much Being Done to Bring About
International Arbitration.
AULD CASE AT THE CAPITAL.
That Affair May Possibly Go to Su-
preme Court-Navy Also Upset Over
Secretary's Reorganization Plans.
BaIIinger Inquiry Battle of Lawyers

!
Tafts letter to the Baltimore peace
meeting in which he tacitly favored
The Hague arbitral peace court lends
added force to the Knox note favor
ing that tribunal and places this coun-
try in the lead of the movement for
universal peace. The Baltimore gath
ering, which was attended by several
officials of the state department, pro-
poses to carry on educational work in
favor of international arbitration. Not
only did President Taft commend the
purpose of the meeting, but so did
Secretary Knox and Senator Root. 1t
is not known yet how many nations
have made a favorable reply to Mr..
KnoX's circular letter urging the
peace court, but it is understood that
there are a sufficient number to assure
the success Of the plan. 1t would be
proud achievement not only for this
administration, but for the whole ma
ton, if this court were established on
the lines laid down by Secretary Knox.
1t would give to Mr.. Taft, once known
as 1.-THE secretary of peace" also the
title of "the peace president"
Appeal From Naval to Civil Court
The scene of action in the Aud case
Is shifting to this city. Indeed, since
it affects the navy it has been here all
along. 1t is now proposed to carry it
to the civil courts, possibly to the SUI
preme court itself In this connection
the refreshing statement of Mrs.
Cowles about how easy it was to see
Secretary Meyer and Senator Lodge in
her efforts to get the case pushed to
trial has caused a smile in Washing
ton. Everybody here knows that there t
is little or no difficulty in seeing Off
cials. OF course it is usually neces-
sary to make an appointment, but that |
is only because of press of business. /
Even though the habit Of just drop /
ping in is not prevalent, as lamented .
by President Taft, Washington is de-
simple, courteous and demo /
cratic.
Furnishing Men For Thinking.
There is another disturbance in the .
navy far more serious than the Aud +
case. 1t concerns the reorganization
plans proposed by Secretary Meyer
In the congressional hearing on the
subject two of the naval bureau
chiefs, Admirals Caps and Rogers,
frankly opposed the reorganization
scheme. There is now serious talk
that this action is regarded IN the
light of INSTRUMENTATION and that the
two are slated to 60. Members Of
congress are naturally surprised and
ncensed that there should be a dis
position to punish men for giving their
honest opinion to a congressional COM
mittee when asked to do so. 1t is
in line with the presidents
order forbidding subordinates to talk,
4 technical violation for which was the
ground for the removal of Pinchot.
In the case of the two naval officers
the effect of the incident may be to
hold up congressional approval of the
Meyer plans.
Lawyers Taking Charge.
The prospects now are that the Bal
investigation will take
On more and more the character of a
battle of lawyers. Chairman Nelson's
remark about 1.-THE other side" being
represented has not only resulted in
Secretary Ballinger employing coun-
sci. but in Mr.. Pinchot doing the same.
Claws already has an attorney, and if
Land Commissioner bennett and the
and Guggenheims also
decide to hire attorneys the commits
;ion hearings will bristle with lawyers
ike a United States court I'm a Stand
lrd Oil case.
CLAWS Divorce Case.
One little side light nor on the Bal
inger-Pinchot affair, but concerning
me Of the chief actors in it, was fur
lished by the appearance in this city
If Mrs. L. II. CLAWS. wife of the man
who stirred up most of the row. Mrs.
Claws frankly announced her inten-
ion Of fighting the suit for divorce
brought by her husband i'm the state
II Washington. IL should be empha-
lied that, so far as anybody knows,
his has absolutely nothing to do with
he conservation imbroglio. Between
heitwo. however. II would seem that
his is a rather busy period in the af-
airs Of young Mr.. CLAWS.
Two Taft Bills sidetraeked.
The federal license bill is at last I
but the prospects Of its I
,assage at this session seem more and {
more remote. Indeed, / am Informed
N Trustworthy authority that the I
resident viii not insist on the pres
Int session enacting either this meas :
ire or the ship subsidies bill, which
VIII probably mean that they viii go {
yer to a new congress, as the short
ession seldom takes up more than
he appropriation bills. What with
he central bank. ship subsidy. federal !
and the other left over
dds and ends Of the Roosevelt and
aft policies the congress to be elected s
ext fall viii be a rather important a
ne