The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-22
Prepare for Investigation.

The first step in paving the way FOR
q congressional Investigation was taken
today. Senator Flint introduced u reso-
luton in the senate directing the attor-
neN general TO Scud TO the senate all
papers In his possession that relate 10
the case. These papers include the re-
port of j.. II. CLAWS. dismissed special
agent OF The general land office who
sought to connect Mr.. BalinEcr With the
Cunnrgham coal land caScs In q manner
rejecting upon his integrity These rec
ords are the ones on which the president
based his eAcncra tion of his secretary OF
the interior
Tho Fiat resolution was adopted and
some time later II was learned that il
had been drafted by Attorney General
Wickershan sud that it was ono OF the
r9atters considered at The White House
general, Mr.. Bsllinecr aud Postmaster
General Hitchcock discussed with the
President the advisabiliy or approving
"a congressional invostiga tIou.
This knowledge led TO the thought by
senators that these records ruiy be far
more extensive than generally supposed.
Adoption OF the Flint resolution was fol-
lowed by tae presentation by Senator
Jones cf Washington OF letter from
MIR. Ballinger urging an inquiry OF tho
| broadest scope and expressing the opin-
| Ion that II would disclose that certain
officers of the forest service had been
guilty Of Dcrlirlous activity iu inspir-
ing charges against him. Mr.. Jones gave
notice that unless some other senator
ing Tor joint congressional invcstiEa-
tiou. Having opened the channel for a
congressional inquiry, the selection of the
proper tribunal 10 hear the evidence for
and against both Nh. Ballingcr and
Chief Forester Pinchot becomes an i'm
portsnt question,
Plans for Committee,
Attention WAS given to this subject
today. Republican leaders in the senate
! practically have agreed that Senator
| Nelson chairman OF the committee on
public lands should be at The head Of
the committee,
Senator Gore OF oklahoma today pre-
sented a resolution calling for the ap-
pointment Of Joint committee OF eight
| senator's and eight representatives 10 in
vostiGatc all matters underlying the Bal
! Iinger- Pinchot controversy His reSolu-
| tion names as the senate members
| Messrs. Nelson. polliver. Lodge, Bris-
! tow Root. TlIlman. Stone and Owen.
Objection Was nade by Senator Aid =
| rich Ia the immediate adoption Of The
! resolution and II was sent 10 the COM
| mittcc on public lands.
! The rostpon cmout VIII smother the
resolution until after leaders. in CO.
opera tion with the President and Nom
! bcrs ~ the cabinet. shall havN had op-
portuniLy 70 agree upon programme for
! the proposed inquiry.
! Joint Resolution Unlikely.
A Joint resolution OF the senate and
/ house is not favored ON the ground that
/ IL would be cumbersome and n special
| committee ~ opposed because II II
| feared that There would be precipit3tcd
| II scrs mble 10 have placed thereon men
! who are prciudiced either FOR aga inst
! .hc secretary. n is considered probable
! therefore. that the decision. II the senate
| determines the selection. will fall upon
the senate committee ON public lands.
This committc" is made UP Of mon
vino understand the publ" land question
bers include adhercnts vi both parties 10
| the controversy.