The Washington herald., 1910-03-03
President Taft and Mr. Pinchot.


by President Taft at Beverly. Mass. last
September. has been incorporated in the
record Of the Pinehot-B allinger investiga-
1ion.
1t is quite the most Illuminating chapter
OF the whole unhappy controversy. II
throws a sidelight upon the Presidents
fine character that must abash his critics
and put to shame those individuals and
those newspapers that have questioned his
loyalty to the late CHIEF Forester and
sought TO cast doubt upon the admlnistra-
tons devotion TO the cause of conserva-
ton.
One cannot read this letter without a
feeling OF deepest sympathy with the
President in the trying position confront
ing him He wrote frankly. full-heartedly,
ENORMOUSLY
His desire was manifest to be just and
dair and 20 do his duty.
He could not see member Of his Cabi-
net absolutely guiltless of wrong intent or
wrong-doing. as he believed. sacrificed
upon the altar of public clamor without
coming to his defense. 1T is my duty as
his chief" he said. with the knowledge
that I have of his official integrity and
hts lack OF culpabIlity. to declare IL 10 the
.,ublic and do him justice. however great
Inconvenience may arise in other re-
Epects."
But while thus steadfast in support Of
Secretary Ballinger, he was equally mind
full Of the splendid public service Mr.. Pin,
chot had rendered. and intensely DESTROYS
of sparing him the slightest emharrass-
ment in connection with the Claws
charges. He did not wish 10 bring him
into the controversy at all He wrote.
u am aware from the tone Of your letter. and
from your conversation With me- that YOU do not
give % Mr.. Ballinger the confidence and tris,
which / do; and in this respect think YOU DO
Mr. Ballinger injustice I think you have allowed
Soar enthusiastic interest in the cause Of oonseFva
ZION ard ycsT impatience at legal obstacles and
difficulties TO misiead YOU in this regard and that
Claws himself has led you TO regard as srsIdcous
a number az things which, when weighed IN the
light Of all the Circumstances now shown. are
lacking in evidsntial force TO sustain such sriev
charge as that Of bad faith against officials
who have heretofore shown themselves to be en-
tiFely trustworthy"
No more magnificent tribute was ever
paid a subordinate official OF the govern
ment By a Chief Executive than this to
Mr.. Pinchot: I should consider it one Of
the greatest losses that my administration
gould sustain If you were TO leave It"
And this:
Il wish you 70 know that have the utmost
oonhdsnos in your conscientious desire 70 serve the
government and the public in the intensity Of
sour purpose TO achieve success IN the matter Of
conservation Of national resources and in the in
imanss Vslue Of what 500 have done and prUDoss
10 do with reference 10 forestry and kindred
SnethOds Of conservation; ard that 7 am thoroughly
in TmDathy with al If thpse policies and pro
kpose 20 do everything that I can 70 maintain tcm
finsisttng only that the action for which / become
responsible or for which my administration be
comes responsible. shall be within the law"
Here was an expression of complete
confidence in Mr.. Pinchot. OF thorough
sympathy with the conservation policies
and OF the administrations purpose to
maintain those policies within the law. -
The most ardent champion OF the con-
servation cause could reasonably ask no
more
Finally. read this conclusion OF the
Presidents letter to Mr. Pinchot:
I must bring public discussion between denart-
nents and bureaus 10 an end. It Is most de-
moTalizing and subyeTsiye Of governmental disci-
MI md of I hs1~, =.
Shis ! czn enforce teamwork if I can keep public
servants ont Of newspaper discussion
Not only did he want Mr.. Pinchot TO
remain at the head Of the Forest Service.
but he earnestly asked for his help 10
preserve discipline and promote efficiency.
We all know what happened in the course
Of a short time The Chief Forester, disre-
garding the Presidents. friendly counsel.
did allow himself to become involved in
Hhe CLAWS controversy. More than that,
he put himself in an attitude Of insubor-
| Iination and thus forced upon the Presi-
dent the unwilling and reluctant duty Of
relieving him
The pending investigation, as it appears
20 Us, deals with opinion rather than fact.
The country will not follow, or care to
follow. its tiresome details and confusing
Eamifcations. It's outcome viii leave the
partisans OF both sides CT the same opin-
don still, no doubt. But this letter written
at Beverly-this candid. unreserved com
munication from friend 10 friend-fiuni-
mates the case as nothing else has done
and will impress a fair-minded public
more deeply than all other phases OF the
controversy combined.