The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-12
BY JONATHAN WINFIELD.


Washington, June 11.-Cabinet gos-
sip is rife in this city concerning the
status of Secretary of the Interior
Richard A. Ballinger. For the last
six months limitations have been re-
ceived from alleged high authority
that Mr.. Ballinger would be forced to
resign his cabinet portfolio. Up to
the present, however, he has chung ten
aciously to his present berth and fur
thermore has gone on record as say
ing that he is at present 'averse" to
resigning his position in the cabinet.
Just the other day it was broadly
stated that MIR. Ballinger had at last
made up his mind to quit the govern
ment service and retire to his native
state, there to engage in the private
practice of law. The gossip was print
ed by alleged administration newspa-
pers and received a wide circulation
Hardly had this announcement been
made before a denial, issued on the
best authority, came from Secretary
Ballinger's Office to the effect that
Mr.. Ballinger had not the slightest
idea of giving up his quarters to a
new man.
Hitherto reports that have been in
circulation of the contemplated action
Of the secretary have been confined to
a mere statement that Mr.. Ballinger
would resign. Now reports have gained
public notice to the effect that Mr.. Bal
fingers presence in the cabinet is not
only causing President Taft great
deal of embarrassment but the admin
istration as we'll. Further than this
the big stick has been used, it has
been stated, to VOrce Ballinger's hand
in abruptly resigning his place by
bringing a wide sentiment Of public
clamor for his removal.
From reliable sources the impress
sion most prevalent among the mem
bers of President Taft's cabinet and
also the president personally, seems to
be that Ballinger individually, is not
causing the president the embarrass-
ment, nor for thatmatter is he caus-
ing any serious embarrassment to the
administration, either IN the west.
where perhaps the Ballinger-Pinchot
controversy is more of a living issue
than in other sections of the country.
On the contrary, it Is pointd out,
President Taft himself assumes the
responsibility of Mr.. Ballinger's pres
ence in the cabinet and is willing to
answer to any political gathering for
his acts either in appointing Mr.. Bal
linger, or in keeping him there. 1t is
In TIL sic toH OF he a
Mr.. Ballinger is persona grata with
Mr.. Taft, in fact, very friendly with
the chief executive. and that as long as
Mr.. Taft is Mr.. Ballinge's friend as
we'll as political associate, it is pretty
certain that Mr.. Ballinger's cause will
be championed by the president, not
withstanding any action the senate of
the United States may take in the
premises.
It is not thought here that the SEN
ate committee will go so far as to re-
commend MIR. Ballinger's dismissal
from the cabinet, should an adverse
report on the findings of the Balling-
er-Pinchot committee be transmitted to
the senate. The worst that is expected
in administration circles is criticism
OF Mr.. Ballinger's action in respect to
the Cunningham coal entries and per-
haps a minority report supporting the
claims made by L. r. CLAWS. the de-
posed field agent who attempted to
openly defy the orders Of his imme-
diate superior.
Whatever course the comittee does
take. it Is said Mr.. Taft will insist on
keeping Mr.. Ballinger as his secretary
Of the interior. feeling that as he made
the appointment and has stood by him
in the present controversy, he should
do so until the end of the present ad-
ministration. OF course, it is likely
that should the committee recommend
an unfavorable report to the senate,
Mr.. Ballinger would resign his post
Immediately feeling that to retain it
would unnecessarily handicap the pres