The daily Alaskan., 1909-11-11
BALLrNeER AND HIS AccusERs.

been much OutSpOken cElllClsm or Ile policies employed by Secretary of the Interior Ballinger. The first criticism came from Chief Forester PinchOt who. before the Conservation congress flatly accused Ballinger of attempting to throw open for settlement certain western lands so that certain cOrpor- stions might obtain the water power sites. Alr. Pinehot had withdrawn these lands from public settlement so that proper safeguards could be placed about the water power sites. These charges were repeated before the IT, rigauon Congress at Denver.
 Ballnger issued a sweeping denial Of these charges and the battle was on. Some of the press espoused Bal finger. but most Of the independent newspapers and publications support, ed Pinchot and an impartial review Of the evidence seems to bear out Pin. Chors chief contentious.
 Early in September the fight as. sumed such proportions that it could not be ignored by the administration, and at Denver, President Taft tried to spread oil upon the troubled wa ters. In she meantime Louis R. Clay is, special agent under the Depart, ment of the Interior made public statements that the Guggenheims were attempting to get control of the Cordoya coal lands by means of "dum my" entries. GlayIs practically ac- cused BaIlinger of connIvauce with the Guggenheim interests.
 Then 1t was President Taft made his now famous white wash" In an open letter he expressed his entire confidence in Balliuger and stated that all that had been done had met with his sanction. Taft did not, app pareutly. deem 1t advisable to criticize Pinchot, especially as the chief for ester seemed to have the sympathy and confidence of the people, and his yludicauou of Baniuger without meet, ing the issue made by Pinchot was adroIuy done. Taft also stated that the allegations of Glavis were not substantated and authorized Balinger to discharge him. Ballinger promptly ayalled himself of this authority and dismissed his subordinate.
 Pinchot. however, was not silenced. President Elliot Of the Conservation association took up the fight and now Glayls is back in the arena, yoicing his charges through the medium of Golfers Weekly,
 The numerous charges made against Balunger must by their very nature have some foundation of fact. Calm, dispassiouate evidence seems to show that Ballinger endeavored to expedite the granting of patents for the Gun uingham coal claims, the claims which lt is alleged, are being filed upon by Guggeuheim dummies"
 The charges are too serious to be overlooked of too grave a nature to be dismissed without the fullest in vestIgatiou. The coal claims in Ques- ton are worth millions upon millions Of dollars. They represent latent re- sources which belong 10 the people, They should not be permitted to De- come the property of a single corpora ton. As Secretary of the Interior, Richard A. Ballinger is supposed to protect the property of the govern ment-of the people. If it is shown that he has attempted to give the Guggenheims control of the Alaskan coal lands he will stand convicted of cOmplicity in one of the most gigan- tlc steals in history.
 In justice to the peOple-in justice ,oR,uipger the affair should be prob