Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-21
BALLINGER ASKS
INVESTIGATION
Secretary Wants CLAWS Alaska
Coal Land Charges PrObed

I WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 21.-
President Taft today yielded to the
demands of both Secretary Ballinger
and his critics for public investiga-
tion of the whole subject matter un-
DERIVING the so-called Ballinger-
Pinchot controversy.
Mr.. Ballinger yesterday afternoon
served upon the president virtually
an ultimatum to the effect that such
an investigation was indeed the price
OF his remaining in the cabinet. He
made it clear that he was no longer
willing to sit silent and wait for the
thing TO blow over
Mr. Taft, 1t is said, reluctantly ad-
mitted the disappointment Of his
hope that the country at large would
accept as final his own vindication
of Mr.. Ballinger in his dismissal OF
the charges brought against the sec
rotary Of the interior by L. r. CLAWS,
former special agent of the land Of
fee, and his conclusion that the In
vestigation demanded by both sides
was inevitable.
Ballinger Has support.
Mr.. Bailinger's attitude in this
matter has the support OF leading
republicans in congress
representatives-who feel that en-
tirely apart from the merits of the
controversy itself restoring sore OF
character must poison the whole sys-
tenn of the party in power and that
It Is high time to resort to the lance.
These leaders, determined that a.
cleansing of this wound is necessary,
have not hesitated to go to the White
House and impress their views on
Mr. Taft Conferences OF a conf
Dental character, In which members
of the cabinet. party leaders in both
houses OF congress and the president
himself have participated have been
held In the last few days. They con-
tinued today when Mr.. Ballinger, At
torney General Wickersham and
Postmaster General Hitchcock met
in Mr.. Wickersham.s office and pro-
ceeded thence to the White House,
where the matter was Iald before the
president.
Situation IntoIerable.
Mr.. Ballinger told the president. IL
is said. that the situation had become
intolerable to him and that though
the constant charges against him had
come from irresponsible persons. he
would not longer sit suninely by,
and in justice to himself he felt COM
PEELED to insist upon an investigation.
The president was given to under
stand that Mr.. Ballinger's demand
carried with 1t the Endorsement Of
both Mr.. Wickersham and Mr. Hitch
cock. 1t is known tonight that II
has the sympathy of other members
of the cabinet.
Tomorrow will be cabinet day.
Without doubt the matter will be one
of the important subjects of that
meeting.
Several things have served to
bring the matter TO a head. The
speech of Representative Hitchcock.
democrat Of Nebraska. in the house
few days ago demanding action
upon his resolution providing for an
Investigation of the land office vas
factor Mr.. BaIlinger. ii IL said,
feared that this resolution might be
laid upon the table by the republican
majority. and that such action would
be construed by his enemies as an ef-
fort on the part Of the admlnistFa-
ton to .whitewash him.
A few days ago he received point
ed advice from a close personal
friend. who has recently left the gov
lernment service. who has himself
been an investigator OF the depart
ment OF justice and who Is an eX-
pert on land laws. urging inst such
an ultimatum as Mr. BAllinger car
ried to the White mouse yesterday
He impressed upon the secretary the
conviction that the time had come
when he must either demand an ae-
quittsI or retire 10 private life.