The Colorado statesman., 1909-08-14
SHARP ATTACK
ON BALL|NGER
DEFENDED BY MILLIONAIRE FAR
SON AND SECRETARY OF AG-
RIcULTURE WILSON,.
IDAHO MANS WARNING
SAYS DAM WILL BE BLOWN UP
UNLESS THE LAWS ARE
OBEYED.

Spokane, Wash.-John Wilson, for
mer United States senator from
Washington, and John Farson, million
aire banker of Chicago, Thursday
came to the defense of Secretary OF
the Interior Ballinger before the Ma
tional Irrigation Congress and succeed
ed in keeping the so-called "Ballinger-
Pinchot" feud in the public eye.
Discussion about the hotels seemed
to indicate that both sides of the recla-
nation controversy were content to
let matters rest Notwithstanding the
rumors that the Ballinger supporters
intended to make a detailed reply to
the charges offered by former Gov
ernor George C. Pardee of California.
The fore part of Thursdays session
of the National Irrigation Congress
did not offer, seemingly, the proper
opening for a continuation of the trou-
BILE until DR.. Pardee arose to ques-
ton a statement made by a speaker.
DR.. Pardee warmed to his subject TO
such an extent that soon he had
brought in his charges against Secre-
tary Ballinger and again accused that
official of permitting the openings for
entry of valuable water power sites.
This brought Mr.. Farson to his feet,
asking DR.. Pardee If he meant to In
sinuate that the secretary was dishon'
est. With Dr. -Pardees reply that he
meant no such accusation the incident
was dropped, only, however, after sew
eral other Balnnger supporters had
taken occasion to demand specific
charges of the Californian.
The afternoon session was hardly
under way when w. w. Ferrell of Fer,
rell, Idaho, took the floor and, during
the time allowed for discussion at
tackled severely the Washington
Power Company, the concern which
supplies 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.. Fer
rell to "go on"
A vote was taken and finally the
Idaho man was allowed to proceed,
which he did after a rough and ready
fashion that brought repeated cheers.
Il have been a settler in Idaho for
twenty-five years." he shouted, "and
there are many who have lived there
with me during that time. They have
worked hard 10 make homes. And
now after quarter of century the
Washington Power Company, one OF
the many which threaten our very
lives, has damned up our valley, over
flowed our lands, drowned out our
crops, and many are about to lose their
very means of livelihood. I'm not an
anarchist and l want to see the law
obeyed-but / want to say that there
are men in my town who will smash
that dam with dynamite and send
to4y-foot wall of water down this val
ley, and what will happen to Spokane
will make the Johnstown flood look
like a 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 his out
burst. The chairman's gavel stopped
him.
Former Senator Wilson was seem
started reading from typewriter
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 and 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 DISC
bey the law, but | want to say here
that / stand for Richard A. Ballinger
and | shall hear no man say he is dis
honest. | am here in defense of Ball
niger and If it IS necessary / am here
to defend his superior, President
Taft. What they have done they have
done under the law because they be,
lieve in the law. 1t is for the people
to support the government and not
the government the people and for
this reason | say that private enter
prise should reclaim these deserts"
There was wild cheering at the con-
clusion of this outburst.