Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-07
BAL[|NCER |SOUT;;
FISHER FOR PLACE
Chicago Lawyer Chosen to Be
Secretary of the Interior
in Taft Cabinet.
PRESIDENT LAUDS WORK
OF RETIRING MINISTER
Calls Into Question Motives of Those
Who Made Attacks.
CLIFFORD PINCH0T's FRIEND
New Member of Cabinet Has Been
Prominent in Movement to Con-
serve Natural Resources
Of Country.
Calls Into Question Motives of Those
Who Made Attacks.
CLIFFORD PINCH0T'S FRIEND

Richard A. BaIinger resignation as
Secretary of the Interior. dated January
1e last. was today accepted by President
TAFT and Walter L. Fisher Of Chicago
was appointed as his successor, his COM
mission being signed Immediately by the
President.
The appointment of Mr.. Fisher will
make three Chicago men in the cabinet,
Secretaries Macveagh and Dickinson both
being from that city.
MIR. Fisher will be In Washington In
few days and take the oath of office as
head of the Interior Department.
Senator CuiIom and other Illinois men
were consulted before the selection of
Mir. Fisher was made known.
The correspondence leading to the re-
tirement of Mr.. Ballinger, made public at
the White House, shows that Mr.. Bal
Enger was compelled 10 urge the Presi-
dent twice to accept his resignation. and
then it was done with great reluctance.
Three Attempts to Resign.
Before making his first request in
writing. January 10, Mr.. Ballinger had
verbally rendered his resignation. it was
stated today, really making three re-
quests before the President took action.
The correspondence is as follows:
The Secretary of the Interior.
Washington.
My Dear Mr.. President: have thought
over the talk we had last Saturday. l
ain exceedingly grateful for your kind
expressions of appreciation for my work,
and they certainly compensate me in the
largest measure for what l have suffered.
Your attitude throughout has been a
great source OF comfort to me- And yet
feel that the condition of my health is
such that / must ask to be relieved from
office. ], therefore, again tender my re-
Siynati ton and as}ksypu TO accept 1t.
| should be untrue 10 all Of my i'm
pulses If / did not sieze the occasion to
say that / have at all times strven con-
posed on me. and to serve YOU, the ad-
ministration and the country to the best
of my ability. l am deeply sensible of
the unfailing confidence which you have
reposed i'm me. under circumstances which
nave necessarily been trying to you, and
the support and respect which you have
never ceased to accord me / snail always
remember
am anxious to retire as soon as 1 can
properly do so. Yet am unwilling to en-
barrdss you, and therefore respectfully
ask you to indicate, in regard to the
matter. when 1t will best suit your con-
yenience.
With renewed assurance of my highest
regard. l am, faithfully yours.
r. A. BALLINGER.
To the President,
January -, 1911.
Refuses to Accept It.
The White House.
Washington
Dear Mr.. Secretary: For reasons
which have deeply impressed them
selves in my heart and mind. 1 would
never consent to consider Your reSigna-
ton on any ground that was based
on the good of TIE service or Of
helping NE personally or politically. for
To such ground is tenabe by me. Only
on the score of your health and personal
convenience or to prevent further pecun-
larry Aacri;ice on your part will 1 con-
slider the possibility of accepting your
les. .gnation. But not even on the latter
grounds can / consider II until after Con-
gress adjourns, until after all unjust at
tacks are ended. until after I have had
the benefit of your valuable and neces-
sary aid during the remainder of a
crowded session. and until We have
reached the calm period which / hope
will follow the present hurry and pres
sure and necessity for constant action