Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-02
Expected Clash Between De-
posed Forester and His For
mer Chief Comes at Yester-
days Session at Inquiry
SECRE TARY WILSON TAKES
STAND IN CONTRADICTION
Declares He Never Gave Per-
mission for Subordinate to
Write Letter to BIanket the
Presidents Message,

fBy Morning Journal Special Leased wirel
Washington, March THE expect
led clash between clifford Pinchot and
secretary Of Agriculture Wilson over
/ the disputed question as To- whether
the secretary had given the former
| forester permission to write to Senator
bolliver, the letter which resulted in
! Alr. Pinchots dismissal came today
| before the Baliinger- Pinchot investi-
eating committee.
Mr.. Pinchot declared he had discus
sed the matter Mt length with Secrs-
tary Wilson and that he understood
! his superior officer had given him
explicit permission to write to Sena-
/ tor Dolliver.
Secretary Wilson Immediately took
the stand and asserted that while he
had given Mr. Pinchot permission to
write To senator Dolliver concerning
departmental affairs, he never did
and never would have given him per-
/ mission To write letter criticising
| the president Of the United States.
Under cross examination. almost
wholly bN the democratic members Of
the committee Secretary Wilson was
uncertain as 20 Just what had pass
cd between himself and the forester
4 and became somewhat mixed at times
as 70 lust what letters the committee
} tfttNff ~ wv f"AtNfHfA- lill iizfti IAUlA~
fire of questions The secretary re-
peatcdy said he never saw or heard
of the letter AIR Pinchot wrote until
IL WITS read IN the senate,
Mr., Pinchot had been reluctant to
testify TO anything that would bring
into controversy himself with the
chief under whom he had served
twelve years But chairman Nelson
Insisted he should 20 into the mat
ter
Mr Pinchot declared that he and
Secretary Wilson went SO far as TO
discuss the executive order issued by
President TAFT forbidding subordin-
ates OF the various departments from
giving information "a congress and
added that the secretary said
You aud VIII have no trouble
about that order
Admitting that his memory failed
him MS 10 certain points, Secretary
Wilson always came back 70 the state
ment that he never under any circum-
stances would have given Mr. Pinchot
permission to write the letter that
caused his separation from the SER
vice
The secretary said he urged Mr..
Pinchot not To Curry out his purpose
to "blnnkat" message from the pres
ident eNonerating Balinger by send
ing a letter in To senator Dolliycr
But" persisted counsel for Mr..
pinchot 1T Alr Pinchot was only to
be permitted to write about depart
mental matters how could you
have thought this letter would blank
Il the presidents message"
II don't know That was Pinchots
dca."
The day was replete with incidents.
rhe cross -cXaminat,on OF Mr. Pinchot
began late Ia the afternoon and will
gBnffppYH hon committee
meets again Friday
MIR Pinchot denied that ne had been
nm Filtered bv "a dismissal which ne
considered WAS not justified He de-
lied also that there was a specific
10 discrcdit Mr. llallinger.
he added, however, that he and form
n Secretary Garfield. CLAWS and 9th
RS are concerned in movement for
he conservation of natural resources
nd that they regard Ar. Ballinger as
mo OF the greatest enemies OF thar
movement.
Mr Pinchot read into the record his
etter of dismissal from President
aft
What have you to say TO the charge
hat You We're disresncctful to the
resident" asked Mr.. Pepper.
II contend that the expression OF an
oncst belief that the president had
cted under a apprehension is not
isrespectil'
"What noW as To showing a lack OF
onfideuce In the purpose OF the presi-
ent To- take tho defense OF the peo-
les right ia his own hands?"
'lf the president had signified his
urposr to take matters in his own
ands would have been hnppy to
ave IL there. hut the presidents let
rs showed ne would continue To
ave it in Eallngers hands and that
p had great confidence IN Air. Ball
ger
"What as to your being insubordi-
tte 90
II was not but ! did not desire to
y stress upon that point for I should
I'VE been lnsubordinate without
cond thought ~ l had considered IT
.cessarV tn bring the facts before
e. public.
Senator Nelson pressed his question
to whether Mr. Pinehot had con-
ited the secretary before sending his
tier 10 Senator Dolliver
Mr.. pnchot said he would decline
answer the question unless it was
Il by the whole committee. a motion
press the question was put and
animously carried.
Did you consult with the secretary
fore sending that ietter2r repeated
lairman Nelson.
II did
The witness proceeded to explain
5 answer by saying he went 10 Sec
Iary Wilson ON January and told
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