The Washington herald., 1910-01-09

Clifford Pinchofs entire attitude
appears to be one OF satisfaction
over his removal from the Office OF
Chief Forester Of the Department
Of Agriculture, not that Mr.. Pinchot
has said as much, but his manner
and bearing suggest he is full Of
enjoyment instead Of humiliation.
The way in which Mr., Pinchot
has taken his dismissal has tended
to confirm the opinion that he was
seeking to goad President Taft into
action which would put Mr.. Pinchot
before the country in the light OF
a martyr, and to that extent at least
injure the cause Of Secretary Bal
inger.
TAFT u SATISFIED.
But if Mr. Pinchot is satisfied. so IS
/ President Taft
Ills dismissal Of tie Forester was done
reluctantly. although now that II has
come about, the President and his a6-
yisers feel thar il was the only proper
and self-respectiug course 20 tale.
In their opinion it VIII cause Mr. PIN
chot 10 become the -Ef5f prosecutor OF
the charges against Secretary Balilrge-
before the tont Congressional commit
tee of inquiry.
The Presidents expression OF this
opinion was coupled with the remark
that he was glad that AIr. Pinchot wour5
appear before the committee IN thar ca
pacity, because, If there were anything
/ to be uncovered in connection with Mn
Ballinger's Official conduct. Mr. Pincbot
would set 20 the bottom OF it. and The
chief hope of the administration was
that the investigators would leave no
stone unturned In digging into the
CLAWS charges and all other charges
allegations and insinuations which az
fected the attitude Of the administration
toward the conservation movement.
May Oppose Taft.
One thing stands out prominent
relation to Mr.. PInchots dismissal. and
that is the belief that the Forest servie-
with its great number Of superv.zars
rangers. guards. and other employees. VIII
become unit Of opposition TO President
Taft
How the Forest Service feels over. the
removal Of Mr. Pinchot was indicated
yesterday, by the reception which -t-
dismissed Forester received when he said
an Official farewell to his subordinate
He was cheered wildly. and everyrhl-.7
said and done showed that he had the
full sympathy and support Of those with
whom he had been associated fl an Off
ctal way
The political aspect OF united opposition
70 the administration Of President Tat
on the part of the Forest Service Is uc-
apparent 70 be ignored.
The Senate Committee on Public Lands
yesterday creased the way for the sFe
ton Of the joint resolution providing fo-
the investigation requested by Secres ~
Ballinger. The committee changed
form Of the resolution so as 20 adopt ts
amendment made Friday in the EI0uS-
through a combination Of Democ-sts
insurgent Republicans, and friends OF 1Ir.
Pinchot TO take the power TO appoint Jhs
House members OF the joint COS tee
out Of the hands Of Speaker Cannon. and
provide for their selection by a vote OF
the House itself
The resolution viii be reported to the
Senate tomorrow. Speaker Cannon and
his lieUtenants are disposed TO accept the
change made In the resolution by their
opponents, and viii bring to the attention
Of the Republican caucus the matter Of
deciding how the House members OF the
committee Of inquiry shall be chosen.
Taft Is Confident.
According 10 people who talked with
him yesterday. President Taft IS serenely
confident that the country will in the
end approve the course he has taken IN
Mr.. Pinchot from office.
, But It IS contended that the decision to
dismiss the head of the Forest Service
was taken by the President and his Cab
met for reasons entirely apart from any
political considerations affecting Mr. Taft.
What the country would think, IL Is as
serted. did not enter into the matter at all.
The President is represented as belev-
ing that while Mr.. PiRchot may attain
some temporary advantage in public
opinion. the sentiment Of the country ulti-
mately VIII crystalnZe into a belief that.
irrespective Of the merits Of the Ballin-
ger -Pinch0t controversy. Mr.. PInch0t had
made his retention in Office impossible.
Hope fOr Change.
The expectation in administration cir
cles is that at the outset Of the Congress
sional investigation Mr.. Pinchot and Mr..
CLAWS may obtain some advantage. from
the standpoint OF popular opinion. but
that, as the investigation progresses. the
win be presented In such q clear
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