Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-29
PARTY LEADERS CALLING FOR
POLITICAL MOSES TO GUIDE
THE PARTY.
TAFT'S PRIVATE SECRETARY
MAKES SERIOUS BLUNDERs
Belated Decision of Administration to
Down Cannon Furnishes Ammuni-
ton For Democrats-Noston Mixes
Into BaIinser Row With Ill Success
criticises Taft's Letter on Tariff.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Aug. 29.-Reports of a
most pessimistic nature, regarding the
political situation thruout the 6un-
try, are beginning to reach republican
leaders in Washington. The pessimism
is greatest in the letters which point
out the necessity of q master hand TO
guide the destinies of the republican
party, not only in the congressional
campaign but also to shape ii on ITS
course for the presidential campaign
of 1912 In other words a number OF
the party leaders turnout the country
are calling loudly for political Moses.
Norton in Hot Water.
Until it became necessary to play
big politics the career of Charles u.
Norton as private secretary to Pres
ident Taft was progressing admirably.
Things began to break badly for the
new secretary several weeks ago, how
ever. and they have been breaking BAD
ly ever since. The semi-official an
nouncement that the administrator
had come to the conclusion that speak
er Cannon must not be elected speaker
Of the house for another term is brand
ed here by the friends of President
L alt ana the lllelltis VI S44NiS ~
alike as the poorest kind of politics. 1t
was possible more than six months ago
to count the men in the house VINO
would make possible the defeat of Cam
non If he We're a candidate for re-elec-
ton. The belated decision of the adj
ministra,ion to oppose Cannon has only
served to place ammunition in the
hands of the democrats, who, by the
way. are planning to use II extensively.
Attempted to Gust BaIIinser.
The administration is charged by its
own friends with having given the
country the impression that it really
believes Ballinger TO be a dangerous
man to have in the cabinet, when 1t
inspired an announcement that an effort
would be made to have him resign
That Secretary Norton and Senator
Crane undertook to accomplish this is
now matter of history. Perhaps it is
not so well known that they set about
their task with little chance Of sue
cess. Secretary Ballinger offered to re-
sign more than a year ago. II Is learned,
and President Taft refused to &C
cept his resignation. Since that time
the secretary has been assured of the
support of the president and his fell
low cabinet members. Not having been
Informed of any change in this attitude
he declined 10 listen to proposals from
Crane and Norton which We're not au-
thorzed by the president. To permit
the story to get out that Crane ana
Norton Were after Ballingers scalp is
regarded here as piece of political
folly which may prove costly in the
coming campaign, since it is now clear
that such an astute politician as Crane
regards the secretary of the interior :
a menace.
Crisis in Administration.
There is additional criticism Of the
inspired story giving advance infor1na-
ton as to what is contained in Presi-
dent Taft's letter 20 Representative
William r. Mckinley, chairman of the
congressional campaign
The presidents discussion
of extortionate profits due TO the tariff
after nearly a year of iteration and re-
iteration that the Payne-Aldrich tariff
law is the best one ever written on the
statute books is hard to reconcile.
The fact of the matter is. according
to party leaders in Washington, that
the president has no one upon whom
he can depend for guidance at what is
really regarded as a crisis in his adj
There is no master mind
to handle the problems which are aris-
ing almost daily and II is predicted
that until such a master mind is
brought to the front the administration
will continue to founder badly.