Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-05
'P|NCHO1: :BALL|NG.R
PROBE IS ORDERED
CONGRESS GETS RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR LAND AND FOR.
EST INVESTIGATION.
COMMITTEE GIVEN WIDE
SCOPE IN GETTING FACTS
ealIinss.s Friends in Both Houses Of
fer Resolutions and Senator Jone.
Makes Early Defense Of Secretary Of
interior - Hearings Open to the
Public.

Washington, Jan. 5.-Congressional
Investigation of the general land Of
dee and forest service Of the govern
ment growing out Of the so-called Pin
chot- Ballinger controversy is provided
TOR in joint resolution which it was
expected would be introduced in con-
yress today. President Taft having
given his sanction to the proposed in
luiry, the republican leaders in con-
gress have determined to press the
resolution, and its early adoption and
subsequent Inauguration of the investi-
cation without delay, are confidently
expected.
1t is reasonably certain the following
will constitute the committee of inves-
tigation Of the Ballinger-Pin con-
troversy:
Senators-Nelson, Root, Flint, ,suther-
land. republicans; Paynter and Clarke
or Hughes, democrats.
House - Dalzell. Mccall, Stephens.
Martin, republicans; Howard and
..-ooner or Shirley, democrats.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Investigation of
the Ballinger- Pinchot controversy is
ordered by a joint resolution today in
troduced in the senate by Mr. Jones,
and in the house by Mr.. Humphrey,
both of Washington. AS heretofore an
tot {o a
est kind Of public inquiry. the resolu-
tion being OF the character requiring
the signature of the president which
gives to It all the force of general law.
A committee of twelve is to be ap-
pointed TO conduct the investigation,
six Of whom shall be designated by
Vice President Sherman and six by
Speaker Cannon. Unquestionably Sen
ator Nelson, chairman of the senate
committee on public lands, will head the
list Of senators, and this doubtless, will
result in his selection as chairman Of
the joint committee.
Committee Given Wide Scope.
The scope, of the investigation is
outlined as follows:
The committee is hereby empowered
and directed to make a thorough and
complete investigation Of the admin
istration and conduct of the interior
department, its several bureaus, Off
GERS and employees, and Of the bureau
Of forestry in the agricultural depart
ment, its officers and employees, touch
ing or relating to the reclamation, con-
servation, management and disposal of
the public lands Of the United States
or any lands held in trust by the United
States for any purpose, including all
the natural resources Of such lands,
and said committee Is authorized and
empowered to make any further in
vestigntion touching said department,
its bureaus, officers or employees, and
or said bureau Of forestry. its Officers
or employees, as it may deem desirable"
Witnesses Must Answer.
The authority to sit during sessions
Of congress and in recesses, to require
the attendance Of witnesses and the
production of papers, usual to con-
gresional inquiries. is granted by the
resolution. It is provided further that
any person refusing to obey the pro-
cess OF the committee or to answer any
question propounded snail be deemed
guilty Of contempt, and jurisdiction is
conferred upon the court of appeals of
the district of Columbia TO try and de-
termine any such charges Of contempt.
Employment of assistance, legal or
otherwise" is specifically authorized.
This provision is for the purpose of
s0f enabling the committee to procure
the services of able attorneys to take
charge Of the probing, so far as the
directing OF questions is concerned. 1t
is the intention of President Taft to
have the committee name some compe-
tent attorney to conduct the case, and
1t is possible that both of the pricipals
to the controversy may be represented
by counsel
i was agreed by all persons who
have given close attention to the Bal
linger Pinchot squabble that the in
SgseAttgatton should be open to the pub
lie and this is ordered by the resolution.
One OF the big rooms in the new senate
Office building will be used for this
purpose.
a Jones Defends eallinser.
u presenting the resolution Mr..
Jones said:
1T Is a bad commentary upon the
state OF public opinion that the mo-
Ment q man accepts public office he
becomes g scoundrel IN the eyes of
many Of our people and his previous
HE OF honesty and rectitude is no war
rant Of official integrity. His acts are
misconstrued and his motives uues-
toned. dnsinuation and innuendoes are
freely made under the guisel Of the
public welfare. but in reality to foster
ecme private interest. Popular views
are taken advantage Of to discredit an
official, who. after Investigating all
phases Of q subject. may reach a decis-
lon II variance with some private in
terest.
Many do not stop to think how
seldom have government officials rome
astray compared with their opportun-
tiles and temptations for wrongdoing.
The press and magazines Of the
country for several months have been
ailed With charges against the present