The Washington herald., 1910-01-08
Mr.. PINCHOT'S REMOVAL

An administration cannot hope to COM
mand national respect and confidence if
it fail to enforce discipline and keep its
official household in order
Forced TO an unwilling realization of
this fact. Mr.. Taft has strengthened his
administration by summarily removing
one Of its most useful. yet at the same
time, one of its most disturbing factors
the Chief Forester.
It is little short Of a misfortune that the
public service should lose Mr. Clifford Pin
chot. His magnificent work in the splen-
did cause Of national conservation none
can gainsay. He has given TO it the en-
thusiasm of an ardent, youthful nature
the impetuous zeal of a crusader, and
undoubtedly Just such man was needed
TO carry 1t through its initial stages.
History. fairly written, will freely ac-
cord TO him the credit of notable achieve
ment
But the Forest Service in recent
months has developed some remarkable,
not to say astounding. phases Its pro
portions expanded until it began 10
eclipse in Importance, apparently. all
other departments Of the government. 1t
became, OF was fast becoming. an uncon-
trollable bureau. Zeal grew into distrust;
enthusiasm gave place 10 vehement out
cry; busy propagandists set a campaign
under way that inevitably tended to dis
credit the national administration itself
IN unseemly scandal ensued.
With the fullest confidence in Mr.. Pin
chot, this newspaper could not bring itself
TO believe that the charges for which hi
stood sponsor against Mr.. Ballinger had
any sort Of warrant in fact. It seemed
inconceivable that the Secretary OF the
Interior could be officially derelict. And
this view was abundantly confirmed BY
the Presidents convincing judicial review
OF the whole matter that followed. Chiet
Pinchots subsequent attitude Of defanc'
has only tended to emphasize the over
considerate treatment the President theI
accorded him
The rational point Of view, we believe
is to hold. If it be possible. both Mr.
Ballinger and Mr.. Pinchot guiltless Of
anything sinister in fact. in motive. ol
in theory, a. least until a contrary showing
may be made TO that degree OF certaint,
which the laW-which, after all. Is tn,
laY-vouchsafes every indicted defend
ant. We believe justice should impeI VI
not 10 render a verdict on any phase o
this unfortunate affair on an ex part
showing only Maneuvering for undul,
advantageous position. discrediting tn
jury. seeking to prejudice the case on
way or another. may be magnificent an,
probably constitute a sort Of war. but no
a sort of war that is founded on
large measure Of common sense or right
There are those who think Mr. Bal
linger sought to prejudice the case i
his favor by securing Presidential in
dorsement before asking for an investi
cation. Fairness hardly seems to war
rant that presumption. when the detail
OF events leading up to that indorsemen
are remembered and the coincident IN
dorsement OF Mr.. Pinchot IS also recalled
II will be Offset in measure, by tn
opinion of those who stoutly incline t
think that Mr. Pinchot deliberately an
designedly conuived to force himself int
the attitude of a martyr to the people
cause-and succeeded.
The acute and eliminating cause OF hl
dismissal needs no comment here. II
amply and satisfactorily treated in III
official statement given out. It may a
lead to some big politics that win cut
figure IN 1912, but an administratio
should never stop to count the cost
doing the eminentIy right thing.
AS we have said Mr. Pinchot's retir,
ment is loss TO the public service. b,
the administration is the stronger for
and in the end the cause OF nations
conservation will not suffer.
Ireland and Germany.