Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1911 — CHICAG MAN GIVEN BALLINGER’S POST [ARTICLE]

CHICAG MAN GIVEN BALLINGER’S POST

Walter L Fisher Appointed Seci retary ot Interior. Ballinger’s resignation as secretary of the interior, dated Jan. 19, was accepted by President Taft and Walter L. Fisher of Chicago, was appointed as his successor, his commission being signed immediately by the president. Mr. Fisher take office within a few days. Secretary Ballinger based his resignation entirely upon the condition of his health. The president replied at once, expressing his confidence in Secretary Ballinger and his reluctance to accept his resignation, and requested the secretary to remain in office until the close of the session of congress. ’ • The correspondence between the president and the secretary is not f voluminous, but displays beyond question the confidence which Mr. Taft has reposed in Mr. Ballinger throughout the 1 long seige and the indignation with which he viewed the attacks upon the secretary's personal and official integrity. The appointment of the Chicago attorney was commented on by some as a natural step following bis work on the national conservation commission. In 1908 President Roosevelt selected Mr. Fisher as head of his conservation movement. Mr. Fisher was born in 1862 at Wheeling, W. Va. He was graduated before the age of twenty-one from Hanover college, Hanover, 0., of which for many years his father was president. Four years after his graduation Mr. Fisher was admitted to the bar and began practice in Chicago. As an active worker in relation to Chicago’s municipal affairs the new; secretary of the interior first became prominently known as secretary of the Municipal Voters’ League. Later he became president of this body and retained an interest in its work after ceasing to be an official. His work in framing the traction ordinance and examining witnesses before the Merriam commission are recent things for which Mr. Fisher is known.