The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-08
HEAD OF FORESTRY
BUREAU BUSTED
Continued From Page One.)

aroused the president to keenest re-
sentiment. Mr.. Taft accused Pinchot
of having taken his stand against Sec
rotary Rallinger wholly upon the evil
dence adanced by l.. r. CLAWS and
without regard for the evidence on the
other side. on file in the interior de-
partment.
The letter directing Secretary Wilson
TO dismiss the forester forthwith was
carefully framed in the afternoon sit
ting of the cabinet, and was revised
several times before finally being
made public. 1t Is the presidents own
statement of the case.
Mr.. Pinchot received tonight the let
ter of the president and Secretary Will
sons peremptory note of dismissal:
out nothing about his demeanor indi-
Gated that he was surprised or dis
tressed by either. To an accompani-
ment of sounds of nerriment floating
down from above stairs, where there
was party of guests. Mr.. Pinchot
came down to meet the reporters, in
evening dress and silk hat in hand.
smiling and undismayed. Asked IL he
would say anything for publication. he
replied:
NoA"u9 ~ Gay.
1T will suit me just as well if you
make for me just the simple state
ment i have nothing to say -
Mr.. Pinchot added that he prob
ably would say nothing tomorrow. but
he would not say how long he would
maintain his silence. The dismissal of
the principal officer of the forest serv-
ice will in no way defer. or divert the
subjects eagerly debated tonight was
the question whether the dismissal
viii rob the investigation of much
of its public interest, or will make 1t
more sensational than before. Friends;
of the administration hold to the
former view and today urged 1t upon
the president and cabinet officers as
an argument against the summary
dismissal.
Friends of Pinchot, on the other
hand. have for weeks been declaring
that the president would not dare to
dismiss Pinchot": that it would cause
breach BETWEEN Taft and Roosevelt"
and that 1t would cause such split in
the republican party as has not been
seen I'm years. Friends of the presi-
dent said tonight that the actual dis
missal OF Pinehat could add nothing to
the embarrassment of the administra-
ton. inasmuch as all the ammnni-
ton of Pinchot and his partisans al
ready had been directed against Sec
rotary Bailinger. and through him.
against the president.
Situation Serious.
AS for possible breach between
Mr.. Taft and ex-Prcsident Roosevelt,
that subject Is much debated. but any
discussion of that is entirely spec-
ulatlve. On the subject of party
split all republicans here regard the
situation as exceedingly serious.
Party leaders in the senate and house
declare that the controversy and the
summary action of the president are
sure to lead to many harsh words in
congress, and to much bitterness of
feeling throughout the country. They
say however, that the president
could not, with dignity have taken any
other course: that Pinchot had defied
the lightning and that there was
nothing else for the lightning to do.
Senator Dixon of Montana, one of
the few senator's who would be quoted
tonight. said:
Il am sorry that Mr. pinehot. who
letter that resulted in this action, The
letter undoubtedly will prejudice his
ehanes In congress. but the episode
Will not affect the investigation by
congress. which will he just as thor
ongh as If this action had not been
taken.'
Senator Nelson of Minnesota. who is
to be chairman of the investigating
committee. indicated today that no
action with reference to Mr.. Pinchot
would affect the scope or thorough
ness of the inquiry.
Gets a jolt.
Speaker Cannon received his Jolt"
today in the house of representatives
on the vote on the amendment offered
by Representative Norris of Nebraska.
insnrgent leader and the vote was f49
to lag, five voting present" So un.
expectedly was the victory aecomp-
iished that the insurgents ana their
democratic allies could scarcely be.
lieye their ears when the speaker an
nohnced the vote. For an instant al
most full minute the noise in the