The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-21
PRESIDENT TAFT YIELDS TO DE-
MANp FOR PROBING OF
LAND OFFICE AFFAIRS.
DEMAND BY BAL[|NGER
Secretary Of the interior Insists That
q Thorough Examination Of His De-
partment Shall Be Made and That
His Critics BE Answered With the
Facts in the Matter-compIex Task.


today yielded to the demands of both
public investigation of the whole
subject underlying the so-called Bal
linger-Pinchot controversy
Mr.. Ballinger this afternoon served
upon the president virtually an ulti-
matum to the effect that such an In
vestigation 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 ac-
cept as final his own vindication of
Mr.. Ballinger in his dismissal of the
charges brought against the secretary
Of the interior by L. r. CLAWS. for
mer special agent of the land office,
and his conclusion that the investiga-
tion demanded by both sides was in
evitable.
Mr.. Ballinger's attitude in this mat
ter has the support of leading repub-
licans in both branches of congress
senators and representatives. who feel
that. entirely apart from the merits of
the controversy itself. a fostering
OF this character must poison the
whole system of the party power and
II was high time to resort to the
lance.
Go to President.
These leaders. determined that a
cleansing of this wound is necessary.
have not hesitated to go to the White
House and impress their views upon
Mr.. Taft. Conferences OF confiden-
tiai character, in which members of
tho cabinet. party leaders In both
houses of congress and the president
himself have participated have been
held lin the last few days. They cui-
minated today when Secretary Bal
lingcr. Attorney General Wickersham
and Postmaster General Hitchcock
met I'm Mr.. Wickersham's office and
proceeded thence to the. White House.
where the matter was laid before the
president
Mr.. Ballingr, told the president. it
Is said. that the situation had become
intolerable to him and that though
the constant charges against him had
come from irresponsible persons. he
could no longer sit supinely by and
In justice to himself. ne felt COM
PEELED to insist upon an investigation
The president was given to under
stand that Mr.. Ballinger's demand
carried with it the Endorsement of
both Mr.. Wickersham and Mr.. Hitch
cock.
Cabinet Day.
Tolnnrrow is cabinet day. There can
be little doubt that this will be one
of the most important subjects of the
meeting. Presumably this is one of
the reasons that the investigation
backed by the administration, viii not
be sbroached in congress before the
holiday recess. Several things have
served TO bring the matter to a head
The speech of Representative Hitch
cock. democrat of Nebraska, in the
house few days ago. demanding ac-
tion upon his resolution providing for
an investigation of the land office
was factor.
A few days ago Mr.. Ballinger re-
ceived a pointed advice from close
personal friend. a man who has re-
Gently left the government service.
who has himself been an investigator
of the department of justice and who
Us an expert on land laws. urging just
such an ultlmatum as Mr.. Ballinger
carried to the White House today
He impressed upon the secretary the
that the time had come
when he must either demand an ac-
quittal or retire to private life. Il
Four important aspects of the Sit
uation are taken into~ consideration
by party leaders:
First. the effect upon the future of
the republican party and of the Taft
II attacks upon the in
tegrity of member of the presi- |
dents official family may be made
with impunity. and allowed TO pass
even unchallenged.
Second. the possibility of the con- |
troversy between adherents and op-
ponents of Mr.. Ballinger becoming 50 |
bitter as to endanger party legisla-
tion.
Third. the practical standstill of the |
whole policy of conservation of nat |
ural resources in the present, conflict
among those in whose hands lies the |
of that policy.
Fourth. the desire to do justice to-
ward the cabinet officers whose per-
sonai and official integrity has been
assailed.
Sift to Bottom.
So the decision has been reached to |
sift the entire matter to the bottom |
1t remains only to settle on the de-
tails of the program. Ali parties un-
derstand that the investigation must /
be Of such character as to leave in /
the public mind not the slightest |
doubt Of its thoroughness and impair