The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-08

Washington, D. c., December THE
mittee. after eleven months of work
made its final report to both houses
of Congress to-day. In the opinion of
seven Republican members. major
ity of the committee, Secretary Baliin-
ger "honestly and faithfully performed
the duties of his high office, with an
eye single to the public interest
In the opinion of the four Democrats.
fIr. BalIingGr has not been true to the
trust reposed in him as Secretary OF
the Interior. and should be requested
by the proper authorities to resign his
Office
Both reports, together with the inde-
pendent report of Representative Mad
ison. Republican, also adverse to Mr..
Balinger. were offered in the Senate
by senator Nelson and in the House by
Representative Mccall. Their presen-
tation followed meeting of the full
committee. The Democratic members.
led by Senator Fletcher, of Florida,
agreed to this method of getting the
reports before Congress, after their
motion to substitute their own report
had been rejected In the COMMITTEES.
Senator Fletcher first raised the point
ready approved the report that was
made public at Minneapolis This
point was overruled by Chairman Nell
son.
All Three Presented.
A motion then was made to substitute
the Democratic report for the report
agreed upon by the seven Republican
members. This was voted down. to
5, Representative Madison voting with
~ ac1,, Nan, 70 tH-o 90
the committee after the majority re-
port had been adopted that all three
should be presented at once In each
house and printed together. Under
this arrangement the dissenting re-
ports are given equal standing with the
majority report before the two houses.
Senator Fletcher said later that steps
Will be taken by the Democrats to
bring about action in accordance with
the recommendations contained In Their
report.
The reports were accented In both
houses without comment. The plan OF
action to he followed by the Democrats
has not been determined upon, but IT
is understood a resolution will be pre-
sented to carry out the recommendation
made for the secreta-y's removal. Such
a resolution probably will call fatly
upon the President to discharge his
Cabinet officer
Call Report Weak.
The Democrats held conference on
the matter to-day. They characterize
the majority report as weak, while
the Republican members OF the com.
mittee declare 1t has fully answered
all charges made against Ballinger and
has disposed of al testimony presented
during the long hearing. An effort un-5
doubtedly Will be made to put the
M rJ nc m
the majority report. The general feel
ing Is that there will be no action on
the report at this session, which means
not at all, for the report loses It's force
with the expiration of the present Con-
gress in March, u.
After stating that the evidence pre-
scented related in the main to charges
OF various kinds against Mr, Ballinser
and that these came chiefly from TWO
sources, l.. r. CLAWS and Clifford Fin-
chot. the majority announced the fol-
lowing conclusion: THE evidence has
wholly failed to make out case.
Neither any fact proved nor all the
facts put together exhibit Mr.. Bal
linger as being anything but a COM
petent and honorable gentleman.
honestly and faithfully performing the
duties of his hish office with an eye
single to the public interest
Ihe report MAS Stsi'o" ~ '.f 's., ~. : Z
Knute, Nelson chairmani Frank u
Flint, George Sutherland and Eilhu
Root and Representatives Samuel Nc
Call, OF Massachusetts, VICE chairman
Marlin y. Omstead. of Pennsylyania. q
and Edwin DENLY, Of Michigan, all Hsr'
publicans'
], few months ago the Democrats
members. Senators ID. U. Fletcher and
William u, purcell and Representatives
Ollie James and James NJ. Graham. or
Illinois, together with Representative
Edmond II, Madison, Of Kansas prn'5s