East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-08-11
Will Be Asked to Explain How
Water-POwer Trust Gained
Valuable Montana Rights.
GRABBING FOLLOWED THE
RESTORATION OF LANDS
Interest at the National Irrigation
Congress In Spokane Centers in the
Coming Address Of Secretary Bal
Internationally VIII Be Called
Upon to Defend His Actions-Res-
oIutions OF State Delegations En-
d0rse the Roosevelt Policies.

Spokane, Aug. 1.-THE profound
est impression was created here by
the publication of the story by Sam
uel Evans showing the grabbing Of
water power sites in Montana since
Secretary Ballinger has restored the
lands withdrawn by President Roose-
velt Delegates are discussing the as
founding revelations. 1t is certain
Ballinger will be called upon to ex-
plain when he takes the rostrum this
afternoon to defend himself against
the attacks made on all sides. Perti-
nent questions will be asked him as to
why his haste for the restoration of
the land. Intense interest and a
feeling of expectancy pervaded the
convention hall this morning.
In the resolutions committee the
effect has already been felt. E. D.
Vincent of Arizona presented resolu-
tions declaring that "this congress
endorses Roosevelts policy and acts
looking toward the conservation of
the natural resources and their pres
ervation and development for the use
of the people and strongly depreciates
the resctionary tendencies leading to-
ward The abandonment of that great
principle. 1t endorses as a part of
the Roosevelt policy. reclamation ano
forestry services"
III. C,ol;for,;o daIaga +io,, hoe nra
sented a similar resoltion. Nebraska
has presented a similar resolution de-
claring that "the good work of the
reclamation service be kept free from
political disturbances of any kind"
Pardce Grills Ballinger.
Ex-Governor Pardee of California,
in his speech his afternoon, declared
that the recent ruling of Secretary
Ballinger would rebound only to the
interest of the corporate greed. He
said: "None has a right to question
the loyalty of Secretary Ballinger to
the principles of government reclama-
ton, but those in a class to rejoice
over the recent rulings are composed
of those opposed to the reclamation
service"
Ncwclrs Address.
Explaining his administration of the
L. $. reclamation service and virtually
himself on the charge made
by Secretary Ballinger that he is in
to handle the work, F. H.
Newell. director of the reclamation
service yesterday spoke here to a SYM
pathetic audience which interrupted
his report of his work with applause
time and time again.
Newell explained that the rush of
settlers for the irrigated lands was so
great that there were many more ap-
plicants for land than there was land
available. The government is not slow,
he declared, but the settlers impatl-
ent to get water faster than any skill
can put it on the land. He outlined
the work that has been done in the
last seven years and denied that there
Is competition between the govern
nent and private capital.
"No advancement of mankind Is
made without protection and sorrow
90 someone. The2reclamation act is not
! perfect document but, like most acts
If congress, is the result Of compro-
misc of many conflicting ideas. It Is
very broad and leaves as
many details as possible to executive |
Wherever it may be de- |
'ective, these defects can be reme- |
lied in only one way namely by con-
yress and not by any official"