Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-03-08
and HisRes-
Accepted.
etior Handed President
On January 19 Last.
alter lowrie Fisher Of Chica-
go Succeeds Ba|IlngeT.
acker Of Pinchot in National
Resources Conservation.


|1on of Richard y. Ballinger Of Seat
NPcepted today by President Taft and
alter l.. Fisher of Chicago was ap-
binted as his successor. 1t appears
the correspondence between Mr.
allinger and the President that the
.cretary's resignation has been in
Re Presidents hands since Jan. l9,
|at it was held in suspence at the
fgent request of the President and
bat the latter at last accepted it only
the urgent request of Mr.. Ballinger.
\ IN gi"ing his consent to the secre-
ry's retirement, Mr.. Taft takes oc-
aSiOn to declare with marked en-
basis his unehangins faith in the in
gritty. the motives and the official
andardS Of Mr. BalIinger and his
nmeasure mitigation at the methods
those who asSailcd him, declaring
has been The subject of one Of
,e most INSCRIPTIONS conspiracies
II the defamation of character that
$stpry can SHOW
The secretary late today, in a writ
II statement. expressed the intention
Fer rest resume the practice of
". He SAYS his defence has cost
m not less than $1,000 and that he
now poor man. At the same time
declares it his purpose now To
.rosccutc the arch -cOnspirators who
jave been following me with the as
issin's knife
Walter L.owrie Fisher. MIR. Ballin-
,r's successor. is Il Republican and
was said at the White House today
hat Senator Cullom of Illinois was
|,nsulted in regard to his appoint
lent. Mr.. Fisher has been notably
. ctive in the movement for the con-
ervation Of natural resources, ana is
! vice president OF the National Con-
.rvatiop Association Of which Giiord
|nchot is president, Tiis is the state
lent which Mr.. Ballinger issued this
fternoon and he refused to add To IL
II shall Immediately return to my home
Seattle and after securing the necessa-
rest will actively take up my profess
|onal work.
THE President has SO fully expressed
| 9 confidence in me in his letter that
hive only TO add that I 20 out of office
&eling that no man could have been more
vally supported than have been by the
resident at all times. and he has my
sting affection and my support insofar
my feeble efforts may be of value
II give up my post without and regrets.
kcept that of parting with most agree
bile associations. In fact, l am as happy
b be free of the burdens of Once as
las reluctant to assume.
1.-The departmental bureau is in better
| ate of effective organization than ever
its history in which l take pride ana
Rish to accord to the chiefs and other Oh
|cers a full measure of just commenda-
lon for their energy, loyalty and devo-
lon TO the public service. Their assist
|nce and cooperation has been of great
ratification TO me.
"The great burden of departmental
fork, added to the strain of contending
|gainst assaults from wicked and dishon-
kst men, has seriously injured my health
nd the cost of my defence has not been
kss than S25, ,0O0-leaving me poor man.
"It is my purpose to prosecute the arch
who have been following me
k,ith the assassins knife. The country
hall know fully the injustice OF the at
hicks upon me-"
The retirement of Mr.. Ballinger brings
10 a close one of the most spectacular
attles in recent political history. 1t be-
Ian with difference i'll conception or
Iolicy toward the treatment of public
hnds, especially the forest preserves, be-
Meen Mr.. Ballinger and Clifford Tinchot,
hen chief forester of the United States,
those bureau was a part of the depart
hent of agriculture. Mr.. Pinchots view
IL these matters had been more in accord
With those of Mr. Ballinger's predecessor,
lanes r. Garfield.
The open warfare broke out when
|harges relating to Mr.. Billinger's admin
|stration of the public lands. especially
h Alaska, and more particularly to the
Treatment by the general land office OF
|he so-calIed cunningham claims to
he coal lands in Alaska. filed with the
|'residentyb by l.. Il. CLAWS. then field
leent of the land office. AS result OF
|hese charges CLAWS was dismissed FOR
|nsubordination.b by order of the President
Chief Forester Pinchot ad-
dressed a letter to Senator Dolliver in
which he espoused the cause in which
|;lavis had fallen, and he, too was dis
Continued on Page Twelvc.)