The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-12-24

| OF DOM secretary OdlllnSor and his
critics for Il public investigation of
| the whole subject matter underlying
the so-called Ballinger-Pinchot contro
versy.
Mr.. Ballinger yesterday afternoon
served upon the president virtually an
ultimatum to the effect that such an
investigation was indeed the price of
his remaining in the cabinet. He made
it clear that he was no longer willing
to sit silent and wait for the thing ito
blow over"
| Mr.. Taft, it is said, reluctantly ad.
mitted the disappointment of his hope
that the country at large would accept
as final his own vindication of Mr.
Ballinger in his dismiss sal of the
charges brought against the secretary
of the interior by L. R. CLAWS, former
special agent of the land office, and
his conclusion that the investigation
demanded by both sides was inevita.
BILE.
Party Leaders lndorse Plan.
Mr.. Ballinger's attitude in this mat
ter has the support of the leading Re-
publicans in both branches of con-
gress- senators and representatives.
| who feel that, entirely apart from the
merits of the controversy itself, a fes-
tering sore of this character must poi
son the whole system of the party in
power, and that it is high time to re-
sort to the lance.
These leaders, determined that a
cleaning of this wound is necessary,
have not hesitated to go to the White
House and impress their views upon
Mr.. Taft. Conferences of a confiden-
tial character, in which members of
the cabinet, party leaders in both
houses of congress and the president
himself have participated, have been
held in the last few days. They cul-
minated yesterday when Secretary
Ballinger, Attorney General Wicker
sham and Postmaster General Hitch
cock met in Mr. Understands office
and proceeded thence to the White
House, where the matter was laid be-
fore the president.
IntoIerabIe to BaIIinger.
Mr.. Ballinger told the president, it
is said, that the situation had become
intolerable to him and that though the
constant charges against him had
come from irres ponsible persons, he
would not longer sit supinely by, and
in justice to himself he felt compelled
to insist upon an investigation.
The president was given to under
stand that Mr. Ballinger's demand car
ried with it the Endorsement of both
Mr.. Wickersham and Mr.. Hitchcock
| 1t is known tonight that he has the
sympathy also of other members of the
| cabinet.
Today will be cabinet day. Without
doubt the matter will be one of the
| important subjects of that meeting.
Presumably this is one of the prin-
cipal reasons why the investigation,
| backed by the administration, probably
| will not be preached in congress be-
fore it's adjournment today for the holt
| day recess.
Precipitated by Hitchcock.
Several things have served to bring
the matter to head. The speech of
Representative Hitchcock, a Democrat,
of Nebraska, in the house few days
ago, demanding action upon his reso-
luton providing for an investigation of
the land Office, was a factor. Mr.. Bal
linger, it is said, feared that this reso-
the Republican majority, and that such
action would be construed by his enc
mics as an effort on the part of the
administration to "whitewash" him.
A few days ago he received pointed
advice from close personal friend,
who has recently left the government
service, who has. himself been an in
vestigator of the department of justice
and who is an expert on land laws,
urging just such an .ultimatum as Mr..
Ballinger carried to the White House
yesterday. He impressed upon the Sec
rotary the conviction that the time had
come when he must either demand an
acquittal or retire to private life.
Four Features Involved
Four important aspects of the situa-
| ton are taken into consideration by
| party leaders.
| First-The effect upon the future of
the Republican party and of the Taft
administration if attacks upon the in
tegrity of member of the president
official family may be made with i'm
punity and allowed to pass unanswer-
ed, even unchallenged.
Second-The possibility of the con-
troversy between adherents and oppo-
nents of Secretary Ballinger becoming
so bitter as to endanger party legis-
lation.
! Third-The practical standstill of
the whole policy of conservation of
natural resources in the present con-
f1ict among those in whose hands lie
the administration of that policy.
| Fourth-The desire to do Justice To.
ward the cabinet officer whose person