The Washington times., 1909-10-10
CABINET CONTROVERSY.

1 was Ior the purpose or protecting
power sites from such raids that
Secretary Garfield issued his order OF
withdrawal 10 which so many refer
ences have been made in the c.ontro-
versy between Mr.. Ballinger and Mr..
Pinchot. The former took Office abo,,t
March 5. Almost Immediately he was
besought by Senator Carter, NY
ron T. Herwfck, OF the General Elec-
trio, and Representative Mondeu to va
cate the order OF withdrawal made by
his predecessor on the ground that IL
was unlawful. Mr.. Ballinger is an ex-
cellent lawyer. had served long enough
in the Land Ofhoe TO learn land law,
and had represented certain conspic-
uous claimants against the Land Of
fee in the period between his retire
ment as Commissioner and his taking
the oath as Secretary. He would seem
10 have agreed that the withdrawal
was unlawful At any rate, on April
4 he caused 10 be ISSUED a statement
saying:
Upon a report from the prop
or officer to the erect that the
interests of the Government no
longer required it. the Secre-
tary of the Interior, on April 10. 1909.
vacated the following Withdrawals. in
each case waving notice by publica-
ton and restored the lands TO
the public domain, IL not otherwise re-
served
Within a week. on April q. a seconu
statement appeared. setting forth:
The Secretary Of the Interior has in
structed the director Of the Geological
Survey to make an investigation Of power
sites Un6er the public domain.
with view 10 securing at the next
session Of Congress legislation TO con-
troll and regulate their disposition.
TheSecretsry OF the Interior is extremely
soHcftous TO prevent these natural re-
sources from passing under the control
OF monopolistic or speculative interests,
and to secure the development and utiH-
cation Of such resources in such a
manner as vail result in the greatest
benefit TO the public"
Statement
From Subordinate.
Then on Monday, May 81. from the
director OF the Geological Survey. as
subordinate TO the Secretary Of the In
terror. came sill a third statement.
reading:
Acting understhe specific instructions
of the Secretary OF the Interior the
Unitsi States Geological Survey has
heEuI4 the investigation of yvater-power
sites On the pubic lands Since April
2. the date % the Secretary's order.
the director OF the Survey mas recon-
rnended eleven temporary Withdrawals
in aid OF proposed legislation affecting
the disposal Of the wster-power sites
on public domain These power site
withdra walls. aggreg3ting 236. .365 acres Of
public lands I'm the States OF Utah,
Colorado, Wyoming Montana. Idaho.
and Oregon, have been approved oy
Secretary BalIinger.
The director OF the Geological Survey
has assured the Secretary that the tenn
porary Withdrawals OF water power
sites already made from data IN the
possession of the Survey. together with
such as will hereafter be made prior
10 the conveniug Of Congress. will be
ample 10 protect all the more important
water-power sites undisposed OF on the
public domain and enable Congress to
inteIligently legislRte for their dispOsI-
tIon.
Five of the eleven Withdrawals
already made include All the power
sites available in the areas that
were withdrawn by Secretary Car
field and restored TO entry by Secretary
BalIinger last month. The present with
drawaIs. however, comprise a much
smaller acreage. one-siSth or less of the
areas OF the corresponding earlier with
drawsIs"
The proper officer" Indicated in the
FIRST bulletin was not Frederick II. New
ell. director OF the Reclamation Service.
but a subordinate acting IN his stead
Mr.. Newell sought 10 obtain from Mr.
Raninger a written order directing him
10 make the recommendation specified
by the Secretary. and. failing 20 do so,
was absent from his office on the day
the recommendation was made. We
should observe. also. that for period
OF about six weeks-from April 10 To
MAY 3i-the sites in the pubic domain
were available for entry or for the
pIastering Of scrip. Finally. it Is urged