The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-15
by WILLIS J. ABBOT.

st. Paul, Mimi. Sept 14-Out here in
the northwest the greatest figure in the
control OF great industries, and the man
whose judgment is most respected when
applied to public affairs, and by that I
do not mean political affairs, is James
J. Hin. That seems TO be almost d
commonplace statement, but IL would
not be commonplace to anyone who had
the advantage that 1 had this morning
Of spending an hour with Mr.. Hill and
hearing him talk about business and
political conditions
am not going TO quote him literal
ly nor am l going to quote literally his
son, Louis w. HILL with whom l also
talked. But l can say with entire ac-
curacy that these gentlemen, represent
Ing the three lines of railroad running
through the Northwestern States to the
Pacific Coast. are not at all hostile to the
Roosevelt propaganda. They are, in
fact, even friendly toward IT,
Fear Return of 1896 Days.
AS nearly as l can judge. this is their
position, and that of other Northwestern
men of affairs. the situation in the coun-
try and the sentiment OF the voters IS
such that they apprehend a recurrence
even Of the days OF 1886 They think
that there is a very serious possibility Of
man so much more radical than Mr.
Roosevelt being nominated-more radi-
cal even than Mr. Bryan in his radical
days-and OF there being a trend toward
him OF the radical Democrats. tnat they
are now disposed 10 favor Roosevelt.
The railroads. as nearly as I can de-
termine. are more afraid of a COM
bination between the radical element in
both parties than they are OF Roosevelt
Their managers say very frankly that
they cannot market a railroad bond. and
that they are cutting down expenses.
Men Seeking Employment.
went out OF the Office Of the Great
Northern building with Mr.. HIM and he
pointed out 10 me some thirty or forty
canvas bags and battered suit cases
Said hes do you know what that
means?" OF course I did not know
Well he said. 'it means SIMPLY this:
Every one OF those bags or cases
means a man going away for whom We
can no longer find employment We would
like 10 find employment for them. but all
along our lines the condition is such that
we have no need for new labor. and as
a matter OF fact are hard pressed 10 find
employment for our old employees
OF course the short wheat crop in the
Northwest has something 10 do with
this. but Mr.. I'M. I believe. in present
ing HIS graphic Illustration. had in mind
the political unrest and what he fears
may result from H.
None OF the heads OF the great rail-
roads running from here TO the Pacific
Coast are friendly 10 the Roosevelt con-
servation movement. nevertheless they
now look on Roosevelt as a necessary
evil One OF them said 20 me that the
convention here was packed in favor OF
the sort OF Conservation in which the
Northwest does not believe. and that he
at one time asked that the city OF ST.
Paul instead Of appropriating $1,000 for
the expenses OF the convention should
appropriate $1,000 TO keep it away.
Complain OF Pinchot.
The complaint. as far as I can discover,
is against the activities OF Clifford Pin
chot. And while ! did not come to the
Northwest to write about Pinchot there
was so much politics in the convention
that II is quite impossible to ignore its
political side. There is a growing feel
ing that Mr. Pinchot is not without
political ambitions. and that Mr. Roose-
welt. who might rightfully aspire to place
ha -
1916, thinks it a part Of political pru-
dence to permit Mr.. Pinchot 10 enter
upon the earlier battle. In making this
surprising statement, 1 am expressing
only the opinion OF men with whom I
have talked. I do not personally think
that the Republican party has profted
very much by the Conservation Congress. |
nor am I entirely sure that Mr.. Roose-
welt himself has so profted. It would |
seem TO me that the effect Of the con-
gress and of the sharp line drawn by
is managers between Mr.. Roosevelt and |
Mr. Taft will have a tendency to widen /
The breach In the party There was
much bitterness Of feeling manifested /
here between certain governors Of the /
Northwest and the local committee. The
,harge has been made that the whole /
list CT speakers was selected by Mr.. |
PinchOt, and that scant opportunities
we're given TO those who held other
riews than those of Pinchot to speak.
Iov. Stubs, Of Kansas, had the Pinchot
md lnsurgent Endorsement. and retired
rom st. Paul without any honors rest
ng heavily upon his head Gov. Hay.
II Washington. a man apparently OF q
much higher type, hardly had an oppor-
unity to be heard.
Some BaIlinger Sympathy.
II is perfectly safe 90 say that in this
ection Of the country there is some
for Ballinger There are peo-
lie. both big and little. In the North
vest who believe that Ballinger is a
afer conservationist Of the national do /
main than Pinchot. There are many
yho think that the controversy might be
ummed up thus: "Ballinger believes the
Northwest needs people more than #
leeds pine trees and partridges. and he
goes no step beyond the law
II conservation which may stop the
curse OF settlement PInchot looks
arther into the fture. He believes that
Il ~ 4. ESTTztTIg