Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-01-13
THINGS WARMING UP.

ing to the income tax amendment. The
New York executive places himself
squarely in favor Of such an amendment
to the federal constitution, but finds 9
fatal flaw In the article as II is drawn.
AS submitted, the amendment gives Con.
gress the right to impose q tax on in
comes "from whatever sources derived. -
Governor Hughes points out that this
would make state and municipal bonds
taxable-somethi hing that runs counter to
all precedent OF law, since one govern
ment is not permitted under our system
to tax the sources OF revenue OF another.
The prevailing opinion is that Governor
Hughes objection is well founded and
that the proposal OF amendment will have
to be redrawn to be acceptable. 1t is a
"setter" on the Taft administration aud
its legal advisers, and win lay it open to
"loading" the amendment in order to in
sure its defeat, since the income tax prop
osition was merely an alternative used to
sidetrack the corporation tax idea.
The Ballinger- Pinchot row has led to
the raising Of a real issue within the
dominant party. President Taft has taxi
en- hand by "firing'' Pinchot from his
post as head of the Bureau of Forestry in
the Department Of Agriculture because
Pinchot disobeyed the rule by which
haada ~ daDartn,anta - D., .o.o-t 4.
Congress only through their superiors.
Pinchot had read in the Senate letter in
which his side of the controversy with
Balinger was set forth. With Pinchot
went out two of his subordinates directly
concerned In this sction. A good deal OF
significance attaches to this step.
Pinchot's department accused Ballinger,
who is Taft's secretary of the interior,
with completely in certain alleged govern
ment land frauds in the Northwest. Bal
lihger Indignantly denied and put it up
to the president to decide. Taft investi-
gated, gave Ballinger clean character
and dismissed pinchot's investigator, but
retained Pinchot on account OF his vaIua-
BILE service to the government. The con-
troversy continued and finally Taft let It
be known that he wished Congress to in
vestigate so that no suspicion OF favorit-
ism could attach and the truth be known.
Pending this came Pinchot's step, lead
ing to his dismissal. 1t almost seems as
II the forester threw down defiance to the
president in this way. The well-known
fact that Pinchot is one of Roosevelt's
favorites and strong personal friends in
PRODUCES the figure OF the ex-president to
the ARRAY and it will be interesting to
note where he will align himself on his
return from Africa. Pinchot assumes to
represent the brand OF Rooseveltian re-
form and virtually accuses Taft of being
recreant and OF shielding rascal because
the latter belongs to his cabinet Taft
evidently feels that, having pronounced
Ballinger blameless, Pinchot and his as
sociates ought to subside, and that he
cannot longer tolerate such insubordina-
ton from an official. Pinchot appeals to
the public for justice and is preparing his
case against Ballinger. He has plenty OF
strong support. II the row should lead
to break between Taft and Roosevelt,
great deal might happen. In this matter
the president has shown lack of tact,
which was assumed to be his strong
point, but he has revealed plenty OF de.
termination and demonstrated that the
Taft smile will, st times, come off. In
view of Pinchot's 'arrant conduct, he
could not do less than dismiss the officer,
whatever the outcome.
Another episode OF the week has been
a signal defeat OF Speaker Cannon in the
House by a coalition of Democrats and
Republican insurgents, who took from
the speaker the right to appoint the
Houses membership of the Ballinger-
Pinchot investigating committee and
made it elective by the House. 1t was
direct slap at "Uncle Joe'' right " here it
hurt. II is the frst real upset for Can
nonism in the House and may lead to
further independence of the speakers
domination. The fact that it followed a
plain declaration that insurgent Republic
cans are to he treated by the administra- |
tion the same as Democrats, deprived of
patronage and fought in their own dis
tricts indicates that they are not to be
scared into submission but will assert
and maintain their right 10 act according
to individual judgment and conscience.
The party whip has not cracked them
into Tine. Taft is making a great mis-
take in coming actively 70 the support OF
Cannon in this controversy. The insur-
gents are not snti-Taft men, and do not
recognize the propriety Of the administra-
tons throwing its strength to sustain
the speaker when party issues are not at
stake. There is formidable instruction
in the Senate, az well as the House, and
Il really has q veIl-dehned response in
many parts OF the country among the
people.