The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-21
Secretary Wants TO Definitely
Settle His Dispute With
Pinchot
SENATOR JONES
is AFTER DATA
He Will Introduce Resolution Call
ing for Sweeping In
vestigation.

Senator, Jones OF Washington announc-
ed on the floor OF the Sentae this after
noon that shortly after the Christmas
holidays he will introduce resolution
railing for a sweeping investigation OF
Che phases Of tho Ballinger-Pinchot con-
froversy-
He did this after reading TO the SEN
ate a letter he had received from Sec
tetary Of the Interior Ballinger, asking
that the investigation be had in as full
end broad a manner as possible.
Letters Called For.
Before Mr.. Jones took the floor. Sena-
tor Flint succeeded in having the SEN
ate pass a resolution calling on the
President for al reports and documents
pertaining 20 the Ballinger-Pinchot war.
These were the first steps following
the decision OF the Administration, as
Exclusively printed IN The Times yes
terday, 70 give Mr.. Ballinger official
Sindication before the country and Incl
6entally to establish grounds for the
dismissal OF Chief Forester Pinchot.
the man who Is regarded by the Admin
sstration as being responsible for the
bitter attacks 10 which Mr.. Bauinger
and his friends have ben subjected.
Mr.. Ballinger's letter TO senator Jones,
who halls from the Secretary's home
State was as follows:
MY Dear Senator: ANY investigation
BY Congress Of the Interior Department
Or OF any or It's officers should be suffi-
riently broad and far. reaching to put at
best the suspicion, cril.cisms. and repre-
fentations OF corrupt or improper prac-
eices heretofore charged against the
present administration thereof; and.
furthermore. such investigation should
embrace the Forest Service, since /
have reason TO believe that the perni-
rious activity Of certain Of its officers
Sas been the source OF iusDiratfou OF
these charges. and involve I'm part the
common administration Of the public
Domain.
For Best Interests.
''The best interests OF the Interior
Department require a broad and thor
oughgoing investigation. and I assure
you II cannot be made too broad I'm its
scope 10 suit ne and those under me
who have likewise suffered indienities
unjust censure. and deliberate u1isrep-
resentation OF facts that are plain upon
the records.
II, therefo9e. court the widest and
FULLEST inquiry by Congress into these
Fnstters, and since you have stated 70
me your desire 10 aid me in establish
Ing before Congress and the country
the injustice OF the attacks which have
been made and reiterated from time to
time, 1 shall hope that tbers viii be no
delay in the Offering OF a proper res
olution OF investigation
''rhe investigation called for by House
Resolution No. 1l 10 make a fun and
complete investigation or the conduct
OF the General Land office Of the De-
partment or the Interior during recent
years relative 70 coal and other puaIic
domain IN the Territory Of Alaska. etc.
Is entirely too narrow TO accomplish a
fun and impartial investigation such
ks I desire. Very truly, yours,
n 4. BALLINGER
Secretary
Causes Excitement.
IN executive session or the Senate
fhis afternoon Senator Gore of Okla
homa stirred up great excitement By
offering a resolution providing for an
investigation Of the General Land Of
ice and the Bureau OF Forestry with