New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-16
KERRY Statement q Boomerang.


That the Kerby statement regarding
the LAWYER memorandum viii act as a
boomerang on the participants in the
snti-Taft- Ballinger conspiracy is the
general opinion in Washington to-day,
especially in view of the full and COM
prehensive statement which the PresI-
dent has forwarded to Senator Nelson
The course of ex-Secretary Garfield in
persuading a youthful stenographer,
who had been his protege and who
had been retained in a confidential
relation TO Secretary BaiIinger at the
specific request OF Mr.. Garfield, TO be-
tray that confidence is severely con-
dcrnned on all sides. Even some of
those who are not in sympathy with the
administration regard the course of the
former Secretary with serious disappro-
baton because Of the effect which the
conduct Of young Kerby, adopted at the
instance OF Mr.. Garfield, will have on
the young mans future. II is remarked
that the young man is simply a stenog
rapker, with no business experience, and
that by his public violation Of the trust
reposed in him he has forfeited not
only the confidence OF his present SUI
periors but of all who might otherwise
give him employment. That he has
given &c the public nothing of value is
shown by the Presidents letter, while
the fact that he assumed to exercise his
,wn discretion in the matter is likely to
nc seriously detrimental to his future
success.
hos IN
scented 10 take such step is regarded
as an evidence of the desperation TO
which the anti-Taft cabaI has been
driven by the fruitless results of the
pending investigation, but there is
widely felt belief that the public will be
disposed TO repudiate such methods and
TO criticise those who have permitted
their luminosity to the Taft administra-
tion 10 lead them so far. IT is remarked
that in the last analysis the American
people demand fair play. and that once
they conceive that any one is hitting be-
low the>belt they Immediately lend their
sympathies 20 the under dog The reck-
Iessness Of the methods which have been
resorted 10 to destroy the reputation Of
Secretary Ballinger and his associates
and 10 injure the President has been in
sisted on by Judge Ballinger on the Wit
ress stand in vehement terms He has
protested that q conspiracy has existed
10 destroy his good name and blacken
his character. and practically just as
he concluded his sworn statements TO
that effect the action OF ex-Secretary
Garfield came 10 light.
In Consultation witt, Garfield.
Herby asserts to-day that not only has
he been in consultation with ex-Secre-
tary Garfield, but that he has also been
aiding Louis ID. Brandeis in his efforts
20 make his case against the Secretary
OF the Interior and the administration
Secretary Ballinger has long been con-
WINGED that there was a leak in his of
fee and that Brandeis was proving as
smart q detective as he was a lawyer
but At no time did the Secretary permit
himself to suspect young Kerby, who
Was recommended TO him IN the highest
terms by Mr. Garfield, who had brought
the young man into the Interior Depart
nlent from the Bureau of Corporations.
IF which Mr.. Garfield was chief before
he became a member Of the Cabinet
The practice OF delegatiDg 10 subordi-
mates the preparation of letters for their
signatures is common with all the mem
ners Of the Cabinet. In selecting Mr..
Xavier for this purpose, President Taft
was. actuated by the fact that Mr.. Law
Ter was in position to verify every de-
tail, so that no errors would appear in
The Tart letter The President had made
uD his mind on the case before he dele
gated the task TO MIR. LAWYER. as is
shown by his letter and by the fact that
he indicated clearly 10 Mr. LAWYER the
line he desired him TO take
The custom of writing opinions as