The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-08-13

G. POKANE, Aug. 12.-John
Wilson, former United States
~ senator from Washington,
and John Farson, millionaire
banker of Chicago, today came to
the defense of Secretary of the In
serior Ballinger before the Ma
tional Irrigation congress and
succeeded in keeping the so-called
'"Ballinger- Pinchot" feud in the
house.
Discussion about the hotels last
night seemed to indicate that both
sides of the controversy were con-
tent to let matters rest notwith-
standing the rumors that the Bal
linger supporters intended to
make a detailed reply to the
charges offered by former Cover
nor Pardee of California.
The fore part of today's session did
not offer, seemingly, the proper open
ing for continuation of the trouble
until DR.. Pardee rose to question
a statement of the speaker.
This brought Mr.. Fason to his feet,
asking DR.. Pardee if he meant to in
sinuate that the secretary was dis
honest. With DR.. Pardee's reply that
he meant no such accusation, the in
rcident was dropped.
The afternoon session was hardly
under way when w. w. Farrell of
Idaho, took the floor and during the
time allowed for discussion attacked
several of the Washington power
companies, the concern which sup
plies power to the city of Spokane. At
the expiration of his five-minute time
allowance there were cries from all
parts of the building for Mr.. Ferrell
to "go on" A vote was taken finally
and the Idaho man was allowed to
proceed, which he did after a rough
and ready fashion that brought cheers.
"I have been a settler in Idaho for
'25 years." he shouted, "and there are
many who have lived there with me
during that time. They have worked
hard to make homes. And now after
a quarter of century the Washing
ton Power company, one of the many
that threatened our lives, has damned
our valleys, overf1owed our lands,
drowned out our crops, has caused
many to lose their means of livelihood.
I'm not an anarchist and l want to
see the law obeyed, but l want to say
that there are men in my town who
will smash that dam with dynamite
and send forty-foot wall of water
down this valley that will make the
-Johnstown flood look like common
shedding of tears If something is not
done"
The old man trembled with excite
ment as he spoke and cheers and
cries of good" followed this out
burst. The chairman's gavel stopped
him.
Former Senator Wilson Of Washing
ton, was seemingly in less bellicose
mood. He started reading from a
typewritten manuscript but it became
evident as he proceeded that he had
something on his mind aside from
typewriter paper. Suddenly he flung
aside the notes on irrigation, peaceful
homes and deserts that blossom as
the rose.
There may be those who do wrong
in this land" he shouted. There
may be water power companies that
disobey the law. But I want to say
here that I stand for Richard A. Bal
linger and / shall hear no man say
he is dishonest.
\ "I, too, am an early settler. l have
seen suffering, toll, peace and happi-
ness in this state, but today, for the
first time (shaking his finger at Mr..
FerrelD 1 have heard anarchy preach
ed from platform in Washington"
There was wild cheering at the con-
clusion of this outburst.
One of the interesting addresses of
the day was that by Mrs. Emmons
Crocker, a delegate from the Fedora
tion of Woman's clubs.
DR.. A. C. True, director of the Of
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