Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-03
WANTS A LEGAL OPINION
Congressman Interested in Dismissed
Forestry Service Employe.
ROOT TO TAKE UP MATTER
Chief Executive Doubtful Whether
Request to Practice Before De-
partment Should Be Granted.

President Taft has before him for de-
cision the question whether he will per-
nit A. c. Shaw, dismissed employe of
the forestry service. to practice before
the Interior Department, and he is not
disposed to hurry in rendering a decision.
Secretary Ballinger, who referred the ap-
plication of Mr.. Shaw to the White
House, was visitor to the executive Of
fees today. When asked about the case
he said:
II took no action upon the application,
merely referring 1t to President Taft. Mr.
Shaw was a dismissed official Of the gov
ernment and deemed 1t proper that the
President himself should say whether he
ought to practice In one of the govern
ment departments. He was dismissed for
cause"
Beyond this Mr. Bailinger had nothing
to say. The President had not acted upon
the application, SO far as he knew.
No Statement at White House.
The White House would not make any
statement today as to the matter. The
Presidents inclination had been to re-
fuse the application of Shaw, In view Of
the latter's dismissal from the service.
doing what he feels is right to the gov
ernment and right to the man who wishes
to earn some part of his livelihood by
practicing before one of the departments,
whose chief he persistently sought to dis
credit.
Mr.. Shaw has not been without friends
to intercede for him at the White House.
resentative Page Of North Carolina have
asked the President to give the authori-
ty for Mr.. Shaw's work in the Interior
Department The President gave no
promise as to what he would do and TINS
withholding Of action has caused much
talk about a rumpus In Congress over the
possible or probable refusal OF the White
House to grant the request. Mr. rage
has known Mr.. Shaw for many years and
his wife LIS a distant relative Of the for
mer law officer OF the forestry service.
Member Of District Bar.
Friends Of Mr.. Shaw say that he is q
member of the bar OF the District Of CO.
lumbia and has for years intended leav-
ing the government service to practice In
the courts and departments here. They
hold that his dismissal from the service
should not stand in the way Of his earn
ing a living In the departments or else
where: that his dismissal was not for q
dishonorable cause, and in no way should
affect his standing in the departments.
Mr. Page, who did not receive en-
couragement from President Taft, has
threatened to make the case one for a
resolution before the House Of Repre-
sentatives but he has been dissuaded
from doing this by Mr.. Shaw himself.
| who has hoped to enlist senator Root
and other friends o. the President in his
behalf Mr.. Root 1t is said, has prom
Used to investigate the right OF Mr.. Shaw
under the circumstances, and 1t is ex-
pected that Attorney General Wicker
sham will render an opinion to the Pres
ident.
Asks Wickersham's Opinion.
Today it was intimated that the Pres
ident had asked the Attorney General to
report to him the law governing such
case, together with precedents. if any.
that may have arisen in the past. The
threats Of a resolution In the House will
not deter the President from fully in
vestigating before he acts. He knows
that an executive order from him for
bidding Mr.. Shaw access to the depart
ment would be respected and could not
be overturned, but he does not wish to
base action on that ground. He wants
to know the legal rights of Mr.. Shaw.
What his final action will be he himself
does not know. although he is said to
feel that Mr.. Shaw is the man VINO in
spired most of the articles attacking the
administration and the Interior Depart
ment.
Overman Awaits Legal Decision.
| Action in behalf Of Shaw by Senator
Overman awaits the decision of the At
torney General, according to statement
made by him this morning.
Should the decision of Mr.. Wickersham
be adverse to Mr. Shaw, Senator Over
man will present in the Senate q resolu-
ton which will call upon the Interior De-
partment for the facts in the case and
thus will bring the whole question to an
issue in the Senate
Both the senator's from North Carolina
are simply awaiting developments at
present: but they are understood to. be
more than ready to take up cudgels for
the dismissed law officer of the forestry