Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24
SENATE DEMANDS DATA
IN THE BALLINGER CASE
Demand for Investigation Is
Followed by Adoption of
Resolution

WASHINGTON, Dec 21.-The senate to-
day practically decided upon the inaugu-
ration of an inquiry into the Ballinger-
Pinchot controversy by adopting a resolu-
ton, introduced by Senator Flint, of Cal
ifornia, calling for all papers bearing on
the case.
Senator Jones, of Washington. present
ed a letter from Secretary Ballinger, ex-
pressing his desire for an investigation,
and saying that such an inquiry should
be sufficiently far-reaching to cover the
entire subject. including the forest serv-
ice, which he charges with pernicious &C
tivity.
TEXT OF RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Flints resolution requested the
president to transmit to congress any
reports, statements, papers or documents
upon which he acted in reaching his con-
illusions with reference to the charges
against L. r. CLAWS, chief of the field
division of the general land office.
AS passed by the senate, the preamble
of this resolution noted the CLAWS charges
against Mr.. Ballinger. The resolution
then continues:
Whereas, The president thereafter di-
rected the dismissal from the service OF
the said L. K. CLAWS upon the ground
sustained and that he had been guilty of
misrepresentation and suppression Of
material facts in formulating said
charges, therefore the information enum-
Grated is requested"
Mr. Flint had scarcely. taken his seat
when Mr.. Jones presented the Ballinger
letter addressed. to him, which in part
says:
ANY investigation by congress of the
interior department or of any it's officers
should be sufficiently broad and far
reaching to put at rest the suspicious, crit
icisms and representations-corru or i'm
proper practices-therefore charged
against the present administration there
OF, and, furthermore such investigation
should embrace the forest service, since
1 have reason to believe that the PERM
cious activity of certain of its officers.
has been the source of the inspiration Of
these charges. and involves in part the
common administration of the public DO
main. 81. ~.tt -s- v.
THE best interests of the interior de-
partment require a broad and thorough
going investigation and L assure you 1t
cannot be made too broad in it's scope to
suit me and those under me, who have
likewise suffered indignities. unjust CEN
sure and deliberate Misrepresentation of
Senator Jones referred to the various
charges against the secretary. which, he
said, If true, would show the official to
be unworthy of holding his present Office.
Speaking of the people of his state,
Mr.. Jones said;
BELIEVE IN HONESTY.
"They may not believe in Mr.. Balm
gers judgment" he added, "but they do
believe in his Integrity and that his adj
of his Office has been an
honest one" ~,
There seems to be a general feeling OF
among party leaders in con-
gress now that the inquiry is to be ua-
dertaken. Senator Nelson, the chairman
Of the committee on public lands, is the
choice of friends and opponents
Of Secretary Ballinger. for the position
Of chief investigator. Mr.. Nelson said ne
ton. A
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21--The-r Mann
white slave traffic bill. recently agreed on
by the house committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, was favorably report
ed to the house today by Chairman Mann. |
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The senate |
today confirmed the nomination of for |
mer Secretary of State Robert Bacon, of |
New York, to be ambassador to France. |
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.-Proposed |
investigation into the Bal |
niger Pinchot controversy did not for /
mally come up at the cabinet meeting |
1t the White House today. Informally !
every member of the presidents cabinet /
Mr. Ballinger upon the /
stand he had taken and assured him of
heir hearty support.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 2l.-The
louse was in session but ten minutes to-
lay, and adjourned until January 4. In
addition to routine practically the only
BUSINESS undertaken. was the designation
II Representative Dalzell. of Pennsylva-
Tia. as presiding officer for the day, in
he absence Of Speaker Cannone