The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-01-28

Without Warrant-Charees Against
Senator Gordon-Sonfe Second Term
Talk.
Washington, Jan. 26.-It is now fair
~ certain that the Ballinger-Pinchot
investigation is likely to be long
drawn out affair, and the report may
not be made before next winter. The
objections to a speedy investigation
are that 1t would interfere with the
present work of congress and that i'm
mediately after congress separates for
the summer the members will be anx-
ious to get back to their districts and
prepare for the fall campaign. An
ether reason, which is not much talk
cd of, but which I suspect has more
force than either of those named, is
the desire to delay the findings until
after the congressional election.
Pinchot and the Law.
One of the charges that are to be
made against Pinchot and the forestry
bureau has now come to light. 1t is
that money was used without warrant
for the training of forest rangers. 1t
is alleged that $4,000 a month was
paid out for this purpose and that,
while the object was praiseworthy,
the method was not according to law.
Indeed, it becomes more and more evil
dent that the line of attack made by
the opponents of Mr.. Pinchot is to be
that he was disregardful of forms and
conventions. The oGense for which he
lost his official head was of this order
1t is charged by friends of Secretary
Ballinger that most of the controversy
between the secretary and former for
ester arose from the same cause. They
say that Pinchot in his great zeal for
forestry and conservation was impa-
tient of legal restraints and regarded
them = in the nature of technicalitieS
WI. i should not be allowed to stand
in the way Of the great end he had in
view.
State Control of Water Power Sites.
During the conference of the govern
ors the point was raised that the con-
troll of water power sites, over which
much of the conservation controversy
arose, in reality belongs to the states.
This was insisted on by Governor
Hughes, Governor Fort and others and
was not seriously questioned. While
the matter may not figure in the con-
gressional investigation. tho enemies of
Mr.. Pinchot are not slow to point out
the fact that he evidently overlooked
this plain Interpretation of the consti-
tuition. In the legislation proposed by
the administration covering the wa
ter power question this right of the
states is recognized however, and pro-
vision is made therefor
Is Senator Gordon a Poet7
In the latest issue of the Congress
sional Directory the official biography
Of Colonel James Gordon, the new
senator from Mississippi appears, in
which reference is made to Gordon's
alleged connection with the assassina-
tion of President Lincoln. The biog
raphy admits that Colonel Gordon was
under suspicion for a time and fed to
Canada, but states that General Dix,
then in command at New York, be-
came satisfied of his innocence and
gave him a passport home. The war
department has already denied that
there was ever an order issued for.
Colonel Gordon's arrest. A more hei-
nous charge against the new senator
has been made, however, and this is
not denied i'm the biography. tits that
he writes poetry.
Taft and Second Term.
Those who come into most intimate
association with President Taft are
agreed that a second term is the least
of his concerns. Indeed, he has been
known to say, with some heat and
force. that he did not give a double
deedee-or something to that effect
for another term, but was determined
to do his duty in the present one.
Moreover, he declines to be actuated
by political considerations. This is
not exactly the usual line of talk in
Washington or at least if INDUCED in
Is not taken seriously. and for any
one to mean it literally has given the
capital a sort of dazed and uncertain
feeling. The significance of the re-
mark may sink in eventually, how
ever. and If 1t ever does will help the
politicians TO get a correct line on the
new president, a thing that up to the
present they have somehow failed to
DO.
A Possible Moore-oraves Feud.
Those interested In forestry are not
at all pleased over the recent report
Of Professor willis L. Moore. head of
the signal service, re '-dirg the inlu-
snce of forests on rainfall and foods.
and II was with difficulty that some
members Of the American Forestry
association. IN session here last week,
were restrained from Offering con-
Iemnatory resolutions. As It was, res
slutions were adopted en- the subject,
though not mentioning Professor
Moore. It Is % be hoped that no feud
Is TO arise making a Moore-Graves
controversy as q rival to the famous
affair. One redec-
hon that may avert trouble h that
Professor Moore Is sometimes mis-
taken about the weather and nsy be