nov 1, 1909 - Ballinger-Pinchot affair

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In November 1909, the scandal involved Secretary of Interior Richard Ballinger, Progressive conservationist Gifford Pinchot, and President William Howard Taft.

A Colliers magazine accuses Richard Ballinger of shady dealings in Alaska, charging that Ballinger improperly used his office to help big mining companies gain access to Alaskan coal fields.

Pinchot openly criticized both Ballinger and Taft, claiming that they were violating principles of conservationism and democracy. Immediately, Taft fires Pinchot, a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt.

Upon hearing Pinchot's removal from his position, Theodore Roosevelt was enraged, and this led to a split in the Republican party in the Election of 1912.

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