New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-22
BALLINGER INQUIRY
SENATE CALLS FOR
PAPERS.
Secretary Courts Fullest In
resignation Commute
To BE Named.

ths bottom, either by = joint COMMITTEES
~ the two branches 81 Congress or by
e special senate committee. In Is proh
able that senator knute Nelson. OF Min
ucsots, viii he chairman 81 the investi-
eating COMMITTEES.
Tho issue between tho Secretary Of the
Interior and tho chief Forester took
definite form to-day. when senator
Jones. - Washington. read in the Sen
7tc letter from Mr.. Baninger asking
TOP "a broad and FAR reaching investi-
cation Of the Interior Department and
mo forest service. Mr.. ones announced
shat ghen Congress meets after the
roIdsys he win introduce = resolution
NJ this character. IL goes without say
- that the investigation viii he or
lcred and that IL viii lay hare al the
acts Of thc conservation controversy.
Almost as soon as the senate met Nj
rIint asked for immediate considera-
son ~ resolution calling on the Presi-
sent 10 transmit 20 tho Senste al papers
Pm vhich he acted when he wrote his
otter saving that the charges made
sgsiust Secretary Bsilinger by L. r.
lsvis we're without foundation. This
-e~olution vas adopted without debate
Pursuant 10 the Flint resolution the
president Vfil - once begin q compila-
ZION % ali the papers in the case. and
0il have them ready for submission 20
the senate when Congress meets on jan
usry These papers viii include the
s2hsustivs opinion ~ Attorney General
Wickershsm the original reports made
~ President TAFT ny all persons in
tolve6 the transcripts OF the records 81
rho Interior Department made for the
PRESIDENT and the Attorney General and
SIR Pinchot's letter addressed 20 the
President " which he Endorsed Mr..
Claws
.fr Jones viii have his resolution
ready for INTRODUCTION on January :. II
vIU probably provide for the appoint
rnert u senate committee n ~ chosen
-- rhe Vice Pres dent. with an under
srsnding that Senator Nelson Is 20 be
-lairnasn % the committee. The selec-
ION ~ NJ. Nelson. who IS chairman OF
rho Committee on Public Lands. will be
srceptable 10 al parties 20 the contro-
.e-sv The Minnesota senator has the
orlplete confidence Of members OF both
political parties in Congress. He has
ed vide experience IN public affairs.
srd II l. believed that his selection vii
1e accepted by the country as a determi-
-stior by the Senate 10 make an inquiry
frst viz he both thorough and impartial.
20 IS c.assed as an insurgent. but COM
hands the entir. confidence ~ both fac
ms
Mr.. BALLINGER's LETTER.
Following the adoption az the Pint
solution. Mr. Jones sent 20 tho desk the
Glowing letter from Secretary BALM
rer. the senate giving close attention 20
rs reading
Washington. December q, iss
~. Desr Senstor. Any invest CATION by
-Hr..~r-s ~ the Interior Department or 81
s.- ~ fts officers should he sufficiently
road End farresching 20 put al rest ths
..er cions. criticisms and representations OF
.H-upt or improper pracuces heretofore
..a~ced against the present administration
uereot aud furthermore, such insestles-
since have reason 10 believe that the per
.rious activity OF certain ~ 81 officers
.asr charges and involves m part the
-rUwon sdministration of the public 90
rsir.
no hevt Interests % che Interior De
-srmert require a broad and thorough
-o.lE Investigation. anc assure YOU ~
..unct b. made TOO broad in lis scope 20
r ne snd rnoee under me who have
seu 80 suffered indlcuities, unjust oensuTe
FrC deliberate rnlsrepresenfa or facts
-af are plain upon the records
therefore court the widest and fullest
INQUIRY ty Congress INTO these matters,
and since lou have stated 20 me your de-
.ra ro aid me in establishing before Con-
-e~s snd Tho country the injustice ~ the
rtarks which have oeen made and reitel-
f.ec from time 20 time. shall hope that
lore viii - no delay On the Offering Of .
.r.p Der resolution % investigation.
The inNsstigation called for by House
'HruI sete investigation az the conducf a.
10 Gsususl Land once - the Department
- rHe Interior during recent wears rels-
mo- fo coal lands and other public domain
the TERRITORY ~ Alaska. etc, IS en-
'rc'r zoo narrow 20 accomplish fun and
UHsrtiaI Investigation such a. ] desire.
r. A. BAI.LINGER. Secretary.
son WESLEY l. JONES, United States
senate.
Dor explanation 81 Mr.. Ballinger's COM
ranIoation Mr.. Jones spoke briefly. say
10
- present SECRETARY 81 tho Interior
"a lCrr a. hOnored resident % our state
i.-.l.s- 5rs r.t,sr been inlp.scb.S Or
.l'.sf Ioned. and his administration - the
-ut-.' duties tAat have ben placed upon
Ulr state believe IN him They may not
EErgr with hls judgment or all Occasions
upon an Sui iects. but they believe that
lf ls HONEST and ts actuated by honest and
uffE motives. and that Do las admins
sre6 tie once 10 nov holds with s sin-
Htr' purpose 90 serve tho Interests Of the
frurIg - no couutfa-
Tfs hopes that there viii b. Tho most
.ar0uca and rigid investigation that can
.H--IhIT D. made
desire 10 state that unless some other
senator should introduce = resolution 81
fs craracfs.r. 2 shall iutroduCe one on the
'aseembIing - Congress ~ the close ~
.0lfdae recess ~ my Judgment to
solution should provide Tor an iuvesti-
-sfi0T hr r. joint committee ~ tho senate
40 House. commune iu which the
.nuUfrE viii have confidence. and v hose
uQgueur the people " ~ believe 20 10 a. ir
fIa impartial. one mat viii present TIE
acts without fear Or favor
To APPOINT COMMITTEE
when the senate went into executive
session Mr Gore offered a resolution pro
ding FOR an invest iEation Of the In
erior department and the Forest Ser
zee b. q joint committee 10 consist Of
'Fht members 81 each house. He asked
0r me immediate consideration % this
'csolutiou but Ar. Aldrich objected and
fnnouncod that when the resolution va
reached on January be would move
- reference 90 the COMMITTEES on Pub
Io Lands
TIE Core resolution named the eight