Arizona republican., 1909-12-21
|BALL|NGER'S U[T|MATUM
 Forces Upon President an
 Investigation Of His Conduct THE MAJORITY LEADERS
And Fellow Members of Cabinet Agree With Sec
 retary That Sore Has Reached Such a Point That It Must Be Lanced

l Washington. Dec. 20e-President Taft
 today yielded othe demands of both Secretar~ Rallinger and his critics for a public investigation of the whole matter underlying the so-called Bal linger-Pin~hot controversy. Mir. Bal finger served the president virtually with an ultimatum this afternoon to 1 tho effect that such an investigation
 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 things to blow over" Mir. Taft. il is said, reluctantly ad-
 mittod the disappointment of the hope
 that the country at large would accept as final his own Yindication of Mir.
 Ballinger' in the dismissal of the
 charges brought against the secretary of the interior by l.. R. Glavis, the
 former special agent of the land office.
 and he reached the conclusion that
 the investigation demanded by both
 sides was inevitable
 Mir Rallingers attitude has the sup
 port of the leading republicans of both
 branches Of congress-senator and
 representatives-who feel. entirely apart IIOiI litt f4tTlIS OI the COfliO-
 versy. that fostering sore of this charaeter must poison the whole sys- tenn Of the party in power and that it is high rifne to resort to the lancet J
 The leaders are determined that cleaning of the wound is necessary and they have not hesitated to go to the White House to impress their views on Mir. Taft Conferences in which members of the cabinet and the leaders nf both houses in congress, and the president have participated have been held for the last few days The sit nation clilfninated today when Messrs Ballinger. Wickersham and Hitchcock met in MT Wickersham's office and proceeded thence to the White House. where the matter was laid before the president
 Mir. Ballinger told the president that the situation had become intolerable and that though constant charges had come from irresponsible persons he could not longer sit supinely and in justice to himself felt compelled to in- sist upon an investigation. The presi- dent was given to understand that Mir B3llingers demand carried the en- dorsement of both Messrs Wicker sham and Hitchcock. It is known to- night that it has the sympathy also 1 of other members of the cabinet
 Tomorrow is cabinet day There is | little doubt that this will be one of the | important subjects of the meeting | Presumably this is ore of the principal | reasons why an investigation. backed i by the administration, probably will | not be broached by congress before | the adjournment tomorrow for the hol- | idays
 Several things have served to bring | the matter to head The speech of | MT Hitchcock (democra) of Nebraska | in the house few days ago. demand 1 ing action aud a. resolution providing for an investigation of the land office. was a factor, MT. Ballinger, it is said, feared that this resolution might be laid upon the table by the republican majority. He believed that such an action would be construed by his len ernies as an effort on the part of the to '-whitewash" him.
 A few days ago he received some pointed advice from a close personal friend. a man who recently left the government service and who was an investigator of the department of justice. urging just such an ultimatum as Mir. Ballinger carried to the White House today. He impressed upon the secretary his conviction that the time had come when he must either demand an acquittal or retire.
 Four important aspects of the sit uation are taken into consideration by the party leaders:
 First--The effect upon the future of the republican party and the admins tration if attacks upon the integrity of member of the cabinet are allowed to pass unanswered.
 Second-The possibility of the con troversy between the adherents and the opponents of MT. Ballinger becom- ing SC bitter as to endanger party Legislation.
 Third-The practical standstil of the whole policy of conservation dur ing the present conflict
 Fourth-A desire to do Justice to- ward cabinet officer whose personal md official integrity has been as sailed
 So decision had been reached this Afternoon to probe the entire matter to the bottom It remains only to set He the details of the program. All he parties understand that the inves- : ligation will be of such character