Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-21
APPROVAL OF ACTION
BY PRESIDENT TAFT
Resolution Calling for Investigation
Presented by Senator Flint.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION HE'LL
Matter Brought to Attention at
White House by Secretary Bal
nnger-House Sentiment.

The Senate today practically decided
upon the Inauguration OF an inquiry into
the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy by
adopting a resolution, introduced by Sen
ator Flint OF California. calling for all
the papers bearing upon the case
At the same time Senator Jones OF
Washington stated that if no one else
should propose a resolution of inquiry
he would do so after the holidays.
1t Is expected. said Senator Jones, that
BY the time the papers shall have been
received the Senate will be quite pre-
pared for the searching inquiry which 1t
Is generally believed will be made.
In making this statement. Mr.. Jones
presented letter from Secretary Ballin-
ger expressing his desire that an investi-
cation should be undertaken. and saying
that If entered upon it should be sum-
ciently broad and far-reaching to cover
the entire subject, including the forest
service. which he charges with pernicious
activity.
Scope Of Flint Resolution.
Mr.. F1ints resolution requested ths
President to transmit to Congress any
reports. statements, papers or documents
upon which he acted in reaching his con-
clusions with reference to the charges
against L. r.. CLAWS. chief Of the field
division Of the general land Office
AS passed by The Senate the preamble
OF this resolution recited that IL. r.
CLAWS, then chief OF a field division of
the general land Office. in the Department
Of the Interior. in the mouth Of August.
1909. laid before the President certain
charges against the conduct OF the Inte-
rfor Department, and particularly affect
ing the action OF tae Secretary OF the In
terror. the assistant secretary OF the in
terror, the commissioner of the general
land Office and the chief of the field serv-
Ice Of the general land ofice, having par
tfcuiar reference to proceedings regard
ing certain coal land claims In the terri
tory Of Alaska; and
The President thereafter directed the
dismissal from the service Of the said
L. r. CLAWS. upon the ground that the
charges made by him were not sustained,
and that he had been guilty of misrep-
resentation and suppression OF material
facts In formulating said charges" where
fore the Information enumerated is re.
quested.
Text Of Ballinger Letter.
Mr.. Flint hsd scarcely taken his seat
when Mr.. Jones took the floor for the
presentation OF the Ballinger letter, dated
today. the full text OF which follows:
My Dear Senator:
ANY Investigation by Congress of the
Interior Department. or OF any of its
officers. should be sufficiently broad and
far-reaching to put at rest the suspicious.
criticisms and representations OF corrupt
or improper practices heretofore charged
against the present administration there
of, and, furthermore. such investigation
should embrace the forest service. since
l have reason to believe that the per-
nicious activity OF certain OF its ofncers
has been the source of the inspiration or
these charges. and involves In part the
common administration OF the public do
main.
'.The best interests Of the Interior De-
partment require a broad and thorough
going investigation, and l assure you II
cannot be made too broad In its scope
to suit me and those under me, who have
likewise suffered indignities. unjust CEN
sure and deliberate Misrepresentation Of
facts that are plain upon the records.
Courts Widest Inquiry.
Il therefore court the widest and full
est inquiry by Congress into these mat
ters. and since you have stated to me
your desire to: aid me in establishing be-
fore Congress and the country the in
justice of the attacks which have been
made and reiterated from time to time.
shall hope that there will be no delay
in the offering Of q proper resolution Of
THE investigation called for by House
resolution No. 142 to make a full and
the general land Office Of the Department
of the Interior during recent years rela-
tive to coal lands and other public do
main In the Territory of Alaska. etc., fs
entirely too narrow to accomplish a fun
and impartial investigation such as I
desire.
Very truly yours.
(Signed) 'R. A. BALLINGER,
Secretary"
Senator Jones' Comment.
In presenting Mr.. Ballinger's letter to
the Senate. Senator Jones referred to
the various charges against the Secrs-
tary. which. he said. il true. would show
that official to be unworthy to hold his
present ONCE. He said that he had had
several conversations with the Secretary
fullest investigation. He declared also
that the people of his state Of Washing
ton believed in Mr.. Baliinger as a man
Of integrity.
They may not believe in his jude-
ment." he added, but they do believe
In his integrity and that his admfnistra-
ton Of his Office has been an honest
one"
Mr. Jones said that he wanted to see
an investigation into these charges made
20 thoroughly rigid in its character that
there could be no question concerning the
verdict that might result. He said II
no one else proposed such an investiga-
tion he would do so very soon after
Congress reassembled In the new year.
He expressed the opinion that the in-
vestigation should be madqnby q joint
committee OF the House ar Senate. in