The Washington times., 1910-12-06
Pres -ent and Secretary Said
10 Have Had Dis
agreement.
DIFFERENT VIEWS
SEEN IN MESSAGE
Administration of Coal Lands Is
the Point at
Issue.
By JUDSON c. wELLIvER.

President Taft and Secretary BaHinEer
have reached a sharp disagreement on
the very fundamentals Of conservatism
policy.
The President announces the fact in
HIS message TO Congress. explaining
that while approving the SeCretaryss
coUr8e in fUlly setting forth his views.
he Cthe Presidept is unable. 70 accept
them.
Right atop Of this remarkable expos
ure Of an intra-administration disagree
ment about conservation. comes from
the Interior Department the circum-
stantial story Of a grave stress in the
relations between Secretary BalIinger
and one Of his chief subordinates. Com
missioner Fred bennett, Of the General
Land Office
The development OF the facts about
these two differences between the Secre-
tary and his official associates has add
ed distinct piquancy TO the discussions
OF the probable fate or the BaHinger-
Pincho- controversy, and TO conjecture
about the probable tenure OF the Sec
Rotary in the Presidential family.
Were They Disagree.
President Taft recommends 20 Con
Eress, in his message, plan for leas-
ing coal lands in the public domain.
Secretary Ballinzer does not agree, and
the divergence OF view is presented in
this paragraph from the message:
The Secretary OF Interior thinks
there are difficulties in the way Of
leasing public coal lands, which Oh
JeCtIODs he has set forth In his re-
port, the force Of which I freely con
~cede- / entirely approve his stating
at length tu his report the objections
IN order that the whole subject may
be presented 10 Congress, but after
fun. consideration. for the reasons
have given above. favor leasing
system and recommend IT,
Such a frank statement Of a difference
which goes 20 the bottom OF the conser-
walton question. Is accepted as Of the
largest Importance and significance
There has been discussion Of whether
the Secretary in view Of such g ref
I erence by the President. would remain
in the Cabinet. Some people have cues
toned whether Il would be possible for
the Secretary to retain his portfolio,
with due consideration for the dignity
Of his position
The Point At Issue.
It is pointed out that the administra-
[ ton OF coal lands has been the very
/ point IN issue throughout the entire
/ conservation ontroversy, turning. as e
| has, mainly on the policy to be pursued
/ In administering the coal deposits %
Alaska
Inside the Department Of the Interior,
/ IL develops. al is not peace and har-
m0ny. Secretary BailingeT Is reported
/ TO feel that Commissioner bennett was
rot as enthusiastic in supporting his
/ chief. during the late investigation, as
might have been desired The story has
]
/ which brought out this feeling
/ A department subordinate who had
/ had 70 do with securing some affidsvits
/ for the department case before the in
/ for promotion II was found difficult
| 10 secure recommendation for the Gd-
/ vanCement from Commissioner Den
/ nett Whe-eupon the suggestion was
I made 20 an official interested IN the
case
why don't you have him go TO the
/ Secretary, and get the Secretary to ask
Z bennett 20 indOrse the promotion ?
/ oh replied the Official. who is ac-
/ counted one Of the most intimate re-
/ Elections OF Secretary BaIlinEer's mind
| from bennett"
Strengthens the Rumors.
These persistent stories Of difficulties
inside the department. the development
I OF the basis cleavage between the
/ President and GIr- BaIIinEer on conse--
I walton policy. and the reports that the
| department executives are rapidly clean
I ing house and getting affairs ready
| to Withstand an Investigation By 2 COM
I mittee Of the incoming Democratic
/ House Of Representative. have served
/ to strengthen the determination OF the
I minority IN the Nelson investigating
/ committee. to force Congressional con
/ sideration Of the various reports. and a
/ vote by whiJh Congress will approve
! one or another report