The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-08

office on the part of my subordinates.
Moreover If I were to pass over this mat
ter in silence it would be most demoraliz-
ing to the discipline or the executive
branch Of the government
by your own conduct you have de-
stroyed your usefulness as a helpful
subordinate of the government, and 1t
therefore now becomes my duty to d.
rect the Secreatry OF Agriculture to re-
move you from your office as the for
ester. Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
HON. CLIFFORD PINCHOT. Forester
Wilson's Dismissal.
Secretary Wilson was swift In carrying
out the decision of the President. He adj
dressed to clifford Pinchot. forester; Over
ton w. Price. associate forester, and Al
bert C. Shaw, assistant law officer of the
forestry bureau. letters substantially iden-
teal. That to Mr.. Pinchot readsi
Sir: BY direction of the President Of
the United States you are hereby removed
from your office as forester. You will de-
liver possession of your office affairs be-
longing to the government to Mr. Albert
F. Potter assistant forester Respectfully,
JAMES WILSON,
Secretary of Agriculture"
Mr.. Pinchot received tonight the letter
of the President and Secretary Wilson's
peremptory note of dismissal, but nothing
about his demeanor indicated that he was
surprised or distressed by either. To an
accompaniment of sounds of merriment
flaating down from above stairs, where
WIS a party of guests, Mr.. Pinchot came
down to meet the reporters in perfect
evening dress. and with shining silk hat
in hand, smilingly and undismayed, greet
ed the company. Asked If he would say
anything for publication, he retorted:
ut will suit me If you will make for mo
just that simple statement of have
nothing to say"
Mr.. Pinchot added that he would prob
ably say nothing tomorrow but he would
not say how long he would maintain his
silence
Plans Not Changed.
The dismissal Of the principal officers
of the forest service will in no wise defer
or divert the congressional investigation.
One of the subjects debated here tonight
was the question whether the dismissal
will rob the investigation of much OF its
public interest or will make 1t more sem
satioral than when 1t appeared with Its
first arraignment against the officers for
| summary dismissal.
l. = ~
| for several weeks that the President
would not dare to remove him from the
| service" because 1t would cause such a
| split In the republican party as would be
| irreparable and not seen in years.
| Friends of the President said tonight,
| however. that the actual dismissal OF
Mr.. Pinchot could add nothing to the
| embarrassment Of the administration In
asmuch as all the ammunition of Mr..
Pinchot and his partisans had already
been directed against Secretary Ballinger
and through him against the President.
AS for a possible breach between Mr.
| Taft and former President Roosevelt
that subject is much debated. but IL
obviously entirely speculative and not
| germane for the moment On the sub
ject Of party split. all republicans here
regard the situation as exceedingly seri-
| Gus.
Bitterness Aroused.
Party leaders in the Senate and House
| declare the controversy and the summary
action of the President are certain to
lead to many harsh words In Congress
apd to lead to much bitterness OF feel
ing throughout the country. They be-
| lieve, however, that the President could
not with dignity, have taken any Other
course inasmuch as Mr.. Pinchot had
"defied the lightning and add there wal
nothing else for the lighting to do bu'
| strike.
senator Dickson Of Montans. one Of tht