The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-10
BALL|NCER QUITS.
New Secretary of Interior
Is Waiter [. Fisher.
BELIEVES IN PlNCHOT IDEAS.
Taft Calls Chicago Lawyer to His Cab
met Whose Many Offices With Con-
servation Associations Leave No
Doubt as to His Policy.

New York, March S.-WaIter Lowrie
Fisher, the new secretary Of the in
terror, has been in New York for sew
eral days attending meetings of the
railway securities commission which
was appointed by President Taft re-
Gently to investigate the feasibility Of
governmental regulation of railroad
stock and bond issues. President Had
ley of Yale is chairman OF the COM
mission and Mr.. Fisher is a member,
81 have no statement to make except
that have accepted this position with
a deep appreciation Of its obligations
and of its opportunity to accomplish
practical and constructive work." he
said
He will go to Washington Thursday
~ see President Taft and home to Chi.
cago next week for few days to set
his house in order before returning to
Washington to start work as a mem,
ber of the cabinet.
Mr.. Fisher was born in Wheeling,
w. Va, July 4, 1862. He is the son Of
Daniel Webster Fisher, president of
Hanover college from 1879 to 1907. ex-
aminer of the United States mint from
1889 to 1893 and leader in the Pres
byterian church. Walter Fisher was
educated at Marietta and Hanover COL
leges. Since his admission to the bar
in 1855 he has practiced law in Chica-
go. He was successfully a member
of the firm of Matz, Fisher & Boyden,
special as 'essment attorney Of Chica
go. secretary and then president of the
Municipal Voters league and since
1906 special traction counsel OF the
city. He is vice president of the Ma
tionai Conservation association, presi-
dent of the Conservation League Of
America and vice president of the Ma
bonal y unicipal league. He is mem
Der of the University, City, Literary,
Cliff Dwellers', Onwentsia and Shokie
Country clubs.
MI Fisher is especially interested in
the problem of bringing great public
and private interests into harmony.
When Carter Harrison was mayor
The last time he fought for fifty year
street railway franchise. He controlled
the situation by power Of his veto, but
many citizens clamored for something
NOR affirmative. Then Dunno was
elected mayor on a platform favoring
Immediate municipal ownership. He
failed to get it. Resolving to make
some headway anyhow toward rescu-
ing the traction situation from the
muddIe that had existed many years
Mayor Dunno in 1907 made Fisher spe-
cial traction counsel for the city coun-
ell. AS such Mr. Fisher drew up new
street railway ordinances, as a result
Of which the city is now getting rev.
enue of $1.500.0O0 out of the traction
companies.
Mr.. Fisher believes in conservation
Of national resources. He became head
Of the Conservation League of Amer
lea, of which President Roosevelt was
honorary president and President Taft
and William j. Bryan honorary vice
presidents.
The league grew out of the first con.
ference of governors held in Washing
ton in 1908 Its members were not
individuals, but organizations such as
the National Civic federation. After
Taft became president the National
Conservation association was formed,
and among its members were Mr.. Fish
or and Clifford Pinchot. Mr.. Taft was
a member. When Pinchot resigned as
forester he became president of the
asSOcia ton. Mr.. Fisher is still a vice
president. The purpose of the associa-
ton is to harmonize all efforts toward
conservation.