The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-20
Administration Completes
Plans for Rigorous
Investigation.
HOPE TO VINDICATE
CABINET OFFICIAL
Expected That Investigation Will
Completely Clear Secretary
Bsllinger.
Bv JAMES HAY, Jr.

The Administration has made its plans
for a rigorans Senate investigation OF
the affairs OF the Department OF the IN
terror and the Forestry servlce.
Such an investigation, It is believed
by the supporters Of the Administration
will result IN a complete vindication of
Richard A. Bauinger, Secretary Of the
Interior, and the separation frou the
Government service Of Clifford Pinchot'
the Chief Forester and the arch foe
of Mr.. Ballinger.
Length of Term.
Even the partisans Of Mr.. Pilohot are
inclined to think that his remaining
tenure OF service can be better
measured by months than years.
Up to the present time every means
possible has been used indirectly to
bring Mr.. Pinchot TO the decision that
he would be more comfortable out OF
the service than in it. He has t2ken
the stand that the only way &c get rid
OF him was to dismiss him. This sc-
,ordinr 70 the present plans, is what
will be done
Courts Investigation.
Mr. Bsuinger not only courts the fuil-
est investigation Of his department ana
of his own official conduct, but ne Is
determined sooner or later to beat MI
Pinchot. The Secretary OF the Interior
however. Is not engineering the plans
Tor the investigation. The President has
taken the matter into his OWE hands,
and the Secretary, at the proper time
Uul come forward with the evidence
which he is confident viii not only clear
his department of all blame and
charges. but viii also put the Forestry
Service in a bad light.
As matters are now outlined, a reso-
luton will be introduced in the Senate
calling for an investigation by a Sena-
aoriai committee Of the affairs OF the
Interior Department and the Forestry
Service Of the Agricultural Department
1t Will be couched ip such terms that
81 viii take in all the charges and in
situations that have been made
egainst Mr.. Ballinger and his depart
T1ent. and all the operations Of thu For
estry Bureau. The author OF the resO-
sutton will be either Senator Knute Mel
son OF Minnesota, chairman Of the
AONllullLet on EuDlIC LSdnQ5t OF senator
Jones of Washington, Mr. Ballinger' 8
home State.
The Investigating committee 1T is
proposed. will be appointed by the Vice
president, the presiding officer Of the
Senate
Beginning of End.
Little doubt was expressed in any
quarters today that this is the begin
ming Of the end of Clifford Pinchots q
Government service. II has been recog-
Tized for months that the two men. Bal
finger and Pinchot, could not work
Rmicably in two branches Of the service
which were iuterIOcked by mutual in
terests and designs. Moreover as a.
result Of the hostility between the two
men, the Administration has been sub
3ected TO grueling attacks throughout
the country.
Mr.. Tafts Cabinet has made the ar
gument that an investigation was abso-
autely necessary in order TO put an end
20 the wide campaign Of publicity which
has been made against the Administra-
fion since the CLAWS charges were
Eprung last summer. His Official advis-
Continued on Fourth PaEeD