The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-03
BALLINGER TO QUIT
is LATEST RUMOR
Crane Probably Made Sug-
geStiOn to the Secretary.
PRESIDENT SILENT IN CASE
Beverly Knows Nothing of Meeting
Of Two Men I'm ST. PauI-BeIieved
Republican Leaders Have Seen
Light, and Cabinet Changes Are
Predicted-wOuId BE Acceptable.

Beverly. Aug. PIN the last few months
President Taft and the executive Offices
here and in Washington have been liter
ally swamped with communications ad-
vising the President 10 dismiss Secretary
Of the Interior Ballinger. Within a short
time many leaders OF the Republican par
~ have intimated. some boldly. others IN
more eQuivocal terms. that the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Baliinger from the Cabine;
would do more to bring success TO the
party at the polls next fan than any one
thing.
Last week the Republicans Of Ohio, al
though they nominated Warren C. Hard
ing, showed that there was some senti-
ment Cor James r. Garfield. one Of the
most bitter opponents of the present
Secretary Of the Interior. The vote for
Mr. Garfield IN that convention is ac-
kuowledged by Ohioans. who have seen
Mr. Taft since. to have been in the ma
ture Of a slap at Mr., Ballinger The plat
form adopted by the Ohio Republicans.
too, is declared by some politicians to
contain planks instigated by Mr.. Car
field. which also might be termed re
buking' Mr.. Ballinger
Crane Sees BaIIinEer.
Last week the President summoned
Senator w. Murray Crane. Of Massachu-
sets. to Beverly. Senator Crane was
asked TO go West. and # became known
that Seattle, where Mr.. BaDinger lives.
was included in the contemplated trim
The White House officials would saw
nothing, but preferred TO discuss the DO
ltical phase Of the Senator's visit.
When the information came this morn
ing that Senator Crane had seen Secre-
tary Ballinger in st. Paul, Just about
half way to the Coast. the White House
officials evineed no great surprise. The
inference was drawn Immediately that
Senator Crane, acting. perhaps, on his
own initiative, but convinced that he
would not be censured by the Presi-
dent had asked Mr. Ballinger 10 resign.
This Secretary Norton did not deny. He
merely reiterated probably a dozen times
ASK Senator Crane"
Party Leaders See Light.
That was all the information Mr.. Nor
ton had TO dispense. But the report ran
to the effect that the Republican leaders
had seen the light, and that Mr. Crane
plainly told the Secretary that he ought
to get out for the good Of the party. Mr..
Ballinger is known as fighter. He has
said repeatedly that he intends to fight
this thing out" The Congressional in
vestigatior committee which heard the
in the Ballinger-Pinc con-
troversy is expected to report in Septen-
Der
II Mr.. Crane did ask the Secretary to
retire. as it is believed here, he may have
been disappointed. The Secretary may
prefer to walt until after the Congress
sionaI committee reports The President.
It is said. viii not ask Mr.. Ballinger to
give up his portfolio. If Mr. Ballinger
does so. at the suggestion of Repub-
ican leaders. It Is Acknowledged that
the President viii be relieved from a
great embarrassment. II the leaders
acted without his knowledge in asking
'or Mr.. Ballinger's resignation and se-
cured It, II is not believed here that the
President would refuse TO accept it.