The Washington times., 1911-05-13
GOSSIP TRAIL S WAR
CHIEF FROM OFFICE
Department and White House Attaches Drop Hints OF
Friction Between Him and Taft Over Mexi-
can Situation

Most everybody who has any interest
at all in the resignation of Secretary Of
War Jacob NJ. Dickinson has a different
guess just why this Cabinet officer de-
sires to return to private life.
There is, of course, the regulation rea-
son that the Secretary wants to re-
enter private business, and is going to
his home, in Tennessee, for that pur-
pose. Secretary Ballinger resigned for
that reason as do nearly all Cabinet
officers. 1t is the real actuating reason
back of the private business part of the
program that is causing the guessing.
The present Secretary OF War re-
signed as general counsel of the Illi-
nois Central Railway to take up the
War portfolio. His position with that
company has since been filled. 1t is
not likely, therefore. that he will go
hack to the railroad. Instead he will go
to Belle Mead. the great stock farm
near Nashville. Tenn, which he pur-
chased from the Jacksons, and will be-
come, for the present anyway, ''coun-
try gentleman"
Hitched on Mexico.
It is difficult to separate the resig-
nation of Secretary Dickinson from
the present troubles with Mexico. 1t
is now distinctly recalled that the
Secretary and the President have not
been exactly in accord in this matter.
When the mobilization of the 10000
troops now in TEXAS was ordered it
was Gen. Leonard Wood whom the
President consulted rather than the
Secretary. OF course, Mr.. Dickinson
was called into the conferences, but
the word of the military expert pre-
vailed when any differences of opin-
ion took place.
Just about this time, too, Secretary
Dickinson started for Panama to set
tie some questions arising in connec-
ton with freight rates on the Panama
railroad. Before his ship sailed, how
ever, he was called back to Washing
ton and this Panama trip has not yet
been made. That was only an incl
dent, but 1t may have had its bearing.
Then, too, II Is now recalled, that
on the day when the real reasons for
the mobilization of the Federal troops
on the border became known with
the consent of President Taft. the
Executive and his War Secretary met
in Atlanta. There was a hurried con-
ference between them. but those who
were near at the time insist that II
was not as friendly as 1t might have
been.
Different Stories.
The Secretary has been busy issuing
statements TO the effect that the Mex
lean troubles had nothing whatever to
do with the mobilization of American
troops, whereas the President and his
other advisers let II be known that the
Mexican revolution had everything to
do with the army movement.
These things, coupled with the we'll
known sensitiveness of the Secretary
of War. lead to the conclusion that he
decided to retire for other reasons than
those Of private business.
EVERYBODY understands why Henry L.
Stimson, of New York. was chosen to
succeed the Secretary of War. His pro-
sition in the party coupled with his
recognized ability made him particularly
desirable to the President at this time.
The 1912 campaign is approaching. Mr..
Stimson represents the progressive wing
of the party in New York State. This
is the faction which carried the Repub-
lican convention last summer, but could
not carry the State.
The President wants New York State
and Sherman and Barnes can take
care of the old guard, and he believes
Stimson can handle the progressives.
This Cabinet appointment Is therefore
intended to solidify the party in the
Empire State and prepare for the cam
paign next year.
The new Secretary is a man Of great
ability as a lawyer and public speaker.
He is also an author OF note He was
mentioned as the possible successor to
was not chosen at that time. He was
reserved for something bigger.
Mr.. Stimson will come to Washing
ton Monday to take up the duties Of