The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-10
IMMINENT CONFLICT BETWEEN
FACTIONS OF REPUBLICAN
4 PARTY MAY NOT BE.
FORESTER HAS FRIENDS
Man Oeposed From High Office Has
Personal Followers in Both Houses,
Who May. However, Decide to Pass
His Cause by for Sake Of Harmony
Situation Is Critical.

Washington. Jan. a.-Thc present
week probably will determine whether
there will be a prolonged conflict In
volving the president of the United
states within the ranks of the re-
publican party in congress. Condi-
tions have tended I'm that direction for
some time, but instead of adding to
the impulse. the dismissal of Mr..
Pinchot apparently has caused halt.
There Is no denying. however. that in
some respects the situation remains
critical. Mr.. Pinchot has large
number of personal friends in both
houses of congress. who would be in
clined to take up his cause If favor
able opportunity should present itself.
and IL they could do SO without en-
dangering the peace of the party. on
the other hand. many are saying that
the personal fortunes of Messrs. Bal
linger and Pinchot are of, little i'm
portance compared to party harmony
and are urging the necessity of pre-
venting any sharp conflict in congress
on the differences between the secre
tary of the interior and the former
chief of the forest services
The Situation.
Whether the conservative counsel of
this element prevails. will depend upon
the course of events in congress dur
ing the next few days. There is no
doubt that the investigation of the in
terror department and of the forestry
service will proceed along the lines
indicated by the Jones Humphrey
resolution: but II win be competent for
the investigating committee either to
broaden or to narrow the inquiry. II
the advice of many leaders is followed.
this inquiry will he restricted. as much
as possible. especially as Mr.. Pinchot
is eliminated from the dispute as an
official factor.
The question will receive its next
attention on the floor of the senate.
The present situation is this: The
house has adopted the resolution pro-
riding for the appointment of it's
members of the committee by the
house itself. rather than by the speak
cr. as was originally provided. With
out awaiting official notification as to
the action of the house. the senate
committee on public lands has de-
cided to report the resolution in such
a form as to authorize the selection ct
the house members by the speaker
CnQuestionably this action was taken
with the intention of complimenting
the speaker and il will be reported to
the senate.
No Controversy.
Speaker Cannon. IL Is said. feels that
it would be impolitic for him to take
advantage of this condition and over
ride the expressed order of a majority
of the house and 1t Is probable.
therefore. that the senate will steer
clear of a controversy with the other
chamber. 1t is now said that the
speaker would prefer that the house
elect the committee. In case this
course prevails, the republican MEM
bers probably will designate their
members i'm caucus and it is claimed
that i'm that event the insurgents would
participate in the caucus proceedings.
No matter how the general situation
shapes itself. the controversy between
the secretary of the interior and Mr..
Pinchot is expected to be the principal
topic in congressional circles during
the week. Officially the question will
not again come up in the house until
after the senate acts. The senate COM
mittec on public lands will report its
resolution tomorrow. so great Is the
interest i'm the matter that it Is not
thought that the resolution will be
adopted without an animated and per-
sonal debate.
Every effort will be made to pre-
vent the investigation of the ad-
ininistration in too general Il way
The senate calendar is still very lean
and aside, from the Ballinger-P -Pinchot
resolution the prospect for the present
week is not favorable TO any legisla-
ton of Importance. The house will
proceed with the consideration of the
army appropriation bill and it is
thought that the measure will be be-
fore it until Tuesday night. BY that
time the Notifications bill will be re-
ported and will be taken up at the
first opportunity.