New-York tribune., 1911-04-23
THEDAyIN WA SHINGTON


come 70 accept as fact his ability as
constructive statesman. such as Is needed
by the difficult department over which he
has been called to preside-one which In
cludes more diverse interests than any
other In the government There was sons
expectation that Secretary Fisher would
begin by making wholesale changes In his
department This he has not done. HIS
disposition appears TO be TO make haste
slowly. The resignation Of Assistant Sec
retary Pierce, who was chosen for that
place by Secretary Garfield. was announced
to-day, and many we'll informed observers
are disposed to approve this step: but IN
the main Mr.. Fisher has shown no disposi-
tion to play havoc with the organization
he found, but rather TO utilize IL In so far
az he is able. and to retain all that Is best
In Il. Mr.. Fisher came TO Washington COM
psratively unknown in national public iife'
but that he Ia making An enviable place FOR
himself is already evident.
ALASKA COAII-The administration Ia
extremely anxious that there shall be
proper legislat tion enacted as soon as pos
sible whereby the coal lands Of Alaska
may be opened to development under lease.
Senator Nelson chairman Of the Committee
on Public Lands, IL OF the opinion that he
can secure such legislation IN the Senate,
end has so informed the President, and the
chief responsibility for this progressive
conservation movement now rests on the
House. Both from an economic and from
a strategic point OF view. II is highly de
sirable that the extensive coal lands OF
Alaska be developed. There is constant
necessity Of high grade coal on the Pacific
for the use OF the navy. and under exist
ing conditions all this fuel has to he car
riod from Norfolk around the Horn or
through the Strait OF Magellan at great
expense when there is an abundant; supply
within a comparatively few days Of all the
navy Yards on the Pacific Coast. From an
economic point Of view. too, there Is every
reason why these coal fields should be
opened up and nasmuch as the admins
tration stands strongly for the leasing
proposition and there is no longer effective
opposition thereto among the Republicans
in Congress, there would seem 10 he no
good reason why an effective leasing bill
which can be cordially approved by the
President and the Secretary OF the Interior
should not be passed promptly
A DIPLOMATIC INCIDENT
in this column this morning to the posi-
bility Of an ambassadors forfeiung his
influence with a foreign government not
wholly through his own fault. recalls an
incident which actually happened and
which loses nothing Of its point because
the actors therein must be nameless.
man OF more than ordinary learning, OF
great cultivation, indeed somewhat more
Of a poet than an athlete. was appointed
ambassador to a certain republic. He was
not fortunate in making pleasant initial
impression on the Executive of the govern
ment to which he was accredited. fact
which IL was appreciated would initiate
against the success OF his mission
brother diplomat who had formed a larger
estimate Of the ambassadors attainments
than had the Executive, prevailed upon
the latter TO suspend judgment until he had
enjoyed further opportunity 20 learn the
smba assadors accomplishments. Accord
ingly It was arranged that the Executive,
the ambassador and the brother diplomat
who was also an ambs ssssdor. by the way
should take long walk together. When
the time came the day was hot and humiG.
The Executive led the way, and the pace
was terrific until, unfortunately. the am
bassador became very faint. II was neces-
sary for the Executive to procure water
while the brother diplomat loosened tho
clothing and famed the brow OF the
stricken diplomat. A carriage was pro-
cured, and the ambassador was sent oach
to mis- embassy. while the former Suspicion
Of the Executive that the distinguished
man was a "mollycoddle" was irrevocably
confirmed The unfortunate incident was
convened TO the Foreign once by an enemy
Of the ambassador. and he was promptly
recalled. not with any rejection on his
attainuents. but merely because the For
eign OH1ce was convinced that his useful
ness as an amba ssador at that captai was
ended. Such are the perils Of those VINO
stand in high places.
TAFT'S HERITAGE.-Nhen President
TAT, undertook TO carry out the policies OF
his predecessor he was doubtless UNDER
stood 10 include loyalty 10 the anti-race
suicide theory as we'll as the others Al
least such must have been the understand
ing OF George Duncan. OF Corydon' n.y.
who has just written 70 the President that
Mrs. Duncan recently gave birth 70 triplets.
In order that no doubt OF the facts may
exist in the mind OF the President, Mr..
Duncan incoses copies Of his marriage GER
tifcate the birth certificate signed by me
attending physician, etc. and he further
conveys 10 the Executive his permission TO
call on his worthy wife. Finally, the
President is requested 10 suggest names
for the three new Kentucklans. II was sug-
rested 20 President Taft that he name the
children after his three secretaries. calling
them Carpenter" Morton" and "Hilles'
suggestion we'll received until It va.
found that two of the triplcts were girls.
Then the suggestion was made that they
Re called Reciprocity "Arbitration and
"Mexicana" Mr.. Taft has rejected this
suggestion and he has not yet been able to
reach a decision. u. o. ~.