Irked by these letters Arant replied to Steel on January 15 with a cryptic note in which he reiterated his earlier statement that he would not resign. He noted:
I have been giving the matters you mention some consideration but cannot quite understand how it is that in case of a vacancy and your appointment that you will not be disturbed by the incoming administration, but that if I do not resign, the position of superintendent of the park will “descend to the pie-counter of the new administration” as you term it.
As to your having a pre-appointment understanding with the Department of the Interior that you should sever your connection with the Crater Lake Company and then become the superintendent of the park, I can not conceive of it, but will say that it would certainly be a most unusual thing. [6]
Within several weeks the Portland and Rogue River Valley factions of the Oregon Republican Party initiated a campaign to oust Arant in the hope that Taft could appoint Steel as superintendent just before leaving office. It was stated in newspaper accounts that this scheme would keep the park superintendency in Republican hands for the duration of Wilson s term in office because of Steel’s political influence in Washington. Arant, however, continued to refuse cooperation with such political machinations. [7]
Aside from the purported merits of the proposed scheme it appears that Steel had personal ambitions for the park superintendency and had strong feelings that Arant was hindering park development. In a letter to Oregon Democratic Senator George E. Chamberlain on March 1, several weeks prior to Wilson’s inauguration, Steel wrote:
I have the support of 86 out of 90 members of the Legislature (two were out of the city, one refused to sign and one was not asked to do so). I also have the leading banks and business men of Portland, the Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, Mr. Jackson, of the Journal, prominent members of both political parties and many other reliable citizens of Oregon.
On my own account will say, my life has been devoted to making Crater Lake famous, in doing which I have freely given of my substance and time without hope of reward. Now, however, a crisis has arisen because of the contemplated activity of the government, and the presence of an official in charge, who is not in sympathy with the movement, and who is totally unfitted by temperament, experience and otherwise, to secure the best results from present conditions, so that if Crater Lake is to come into its own, it is necessary to bring about an immediate change.
I have developed the proposition in the past and know the possibilities of the future. More than that I know the danger of a narrow, short-sighted policy at this time, which can only be overcome by a change of Superintendents. By this I do not mean that I am the only one who can get the best results, but merely that an immediate change is necessary for the good of the Park, and among the applicants I can get the best results, because my heart is in the work, and I do not seek the place wholly because of the paltry salary. Then, too, I feel that my long service without compensation entitles me to consideration.
Already matters are drifting the wrong way for the season at hand, and if a change is to be made at all, it ought to be made quickly, so that the new man can make his own plans for field work. I have plans already worked out for the present season, that I sincerely hope can be put into execution for the good of the Park. I want the office as much for the good of the Park and the state as for myself, so, it is fair to say, I do not want it wholly for selfish purposes, and for that reason have filed with the Honorable Secretary of the Interior a formal application for the appointment.
You know, as well as I, that practically the entire population of the state recognizes my claim and wishes me well in this matter. [8]
