Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-16
F. M. Kerby, Who Made
Damaging Statement
Suddenly Dropped.
DECLARED TRAITOR"
President Taft Personally En-
terS Controversy by ISSu-
ing a Statement.

washington, May lO--fTeuerlCk N.
Kerby, stenographer in the Office of
the secretary of the interior, who on
Saturday issued a statement regarding
the Lawler memorandum on the Claws
charges to the president, was dis
charged from the government service
by Secretary Ballinger today.
Said LawIer ExOnerated BaIIinEer.
Kerby's statement was to the effect
that Oscar Lawler, assistant attorney
general for the interior department,
subordinate of Ballinger, was the one
who really prepared the letter exon
eratng Ballinger that was subsequently
adopted by Taft. A copy of LAWYERS
original letter compared with that later
made public by the president, showed
a striking similarity in wording.
Called a "Traitor.,
In a stinging letter dismissing Kerby
for the good of the service" Ballinger
said the stenographer was unworthy
to remain in it." The fact that your
treachery," said the secretary. 'is fu.
tile cannot mitigate the character of
your offense."
hCEDy LeaNcn ~ 10 EuDAlcs
Kerby said the secretary's action
was not a surprise. "As to the charges
made by Ballinger against me-" con-
tinued Kerby, Il am willing TO leave
it to the Judgment of the people of the
country as to whether acted treach-
erously or patriotically and feel GER
tain the general verdict will be in my
power. At any rate / think Ballinger
is not an excellent Judge OF ethics"
Taft Comes to Bat.
washington, May 16.-President Taft
made public last night letter address
ed to Senator Nelson, chairman of the
committee investigating the interior
department and tho forestry service.
explaining in detail the manner in
which the letter of last September ex-
onerating Secretary Ballinger upon the
charges made by L. r. Claws was pre-
pared.
This letter to Senator Nelson, form
ing another chapter in the latest SEN
sational turn of affairs IN connection
with the Ballinger investigation, was
the product of a long conference at
the White house, at which were pres
ent, besides the president, Secretary of
War Dickinson, Attorney General
and Secretary of Com
merce and Labor Nagel.
Answer TO KerBy Charge.
1t is a sequel to the brief statement
issued at the White house Saturday
evening, following the publication of
an affidavit by Frederick w. Kerby. a
in the office of the secre-
tary of the interior, declaring that AS
sistant Attorney General Lawler. prac-
ticaIly acting for Secretary Ballinger.
had prepared the letter of exoneration
which the president signed, and that
the rough drafts and notes had been
burned to cover the tracks.
Makes Three Points.
President Taft makes three striking
points in his letter to Senator Nelson:
First-That he requested Mr..
Lawler "to prepare an opinion as IL
he were president" the president
being occupied with other matters
but having made up his mind in
the case in a manner with which
Mr.. Lawler was acquainted.
Second-That he finally used
only a few paragraphs from the
Lawler draft opinion and that the
opinion contained criticism of Mr..
Pinchot and Mr. CLAWS which he
did not think it wise to adopt.
Third-That he directed the at
torney general to prepare writ
ten statement of the analysis and
conclusions he (the attorney gen.
eraD previously had given to the
president on the case, and to date
it prior to the date of rly opinion,
so as to show that my decision
was fortified by his summary OF
the evidence and his conclusions
thereon"
VIII Not Resign.
Secretary BalIinger was not at the
White house yesterday, and in re
ponse to inquiries declared he had no
of the statement in prepar-
Ltion. During the day rumors we're
pread that Mr.. Ballinger was TO re
ign because he believed HIS position
vas embarrassing the administration
md that in resigning he would an
lounce his purpose to secure vindica-
ion of the charges against him in the
ourts.
This rnmor was promptly and en-
hatically denied by Secretary Balm
er, and It was added for emphasis
hat he expected TO remain a cabinet
ficial three years longer.
said Behind scenes.