The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-09-14
CONDEMN ACT
ON BALL|NGER
Absent Members of Investigating
Committee Say Minneapolis
Report Was Unlawful.
BRAND MINORITY REPORT
AS WORK OF POLITICIANS
Declare Statement Issued Is In
Violation of Law Because Was
Given to Newspapers Before
Congress Convened.

CHICAGO, Sept. 13.-Six republican
members of the Ballinger Investigate
committee met here today and issued
statement condemning the action of
the four democratic members and one
republican insurgent who delivered the
report in Minneapolis last Wednesday
demanding retirement of Secretary
Ballinger. Those present today were
Senators Nelson, Sutherland and Root
and Representatives Mccall, Olmstead
and DENLY. They declared the action
OF what they called the minority" at
Minneapolis, to have been about the
worst methods Of ward politics."
Evidence on the Ballinger case was
discussed but in the absence of
quorum they stated, no action on the
case itself, was possible. 1t was re-
ported that Nelson had authority to
act for Senator Flint who is member
of the committee but who was in
Europe, but no attempt was made to
use the alleged proxy. Adjournment
was taken subject to call of the
chairman. AS the minority declined
to attend today's conference and took
their adjournment at Minneapolis I'M
til the next meeting of congress, it is
probable Nelson will not call another
meeting until the return of Flint, who
as seventh member would make
quorum.
Only Seven Present.
According to a statement issued to-
day, it is said that the previous meet
ing day found the members widely
scattered and only seven of the twelve
members were present. Three other
members were detained by business,
Senator Root was on the high seas and
Flint was in Europe. Upon reassem-
bling two days later according to the
statement eight gentlemen were pres
ent and two more were reported up
on their way. The eighth member to
appear happened to be democrat and
those members of the party found
themselves in temporary control ana
promptly proceeded to turn the cir
cumstances, to what seemed to them
a party advantage.
Was Premature.
In advance of any consultation, the
statement says, and without weighing
the evidence which had never been
discussed in the committee, they de-
manded a passage of resolutions OF
the most sweeping character formally
finding Secretary Ballinger guilty, not
merely of the charges that had been
made, but of charges that had only
been implied and of things which
might never have been charged. but
which persons appearing at the hear
ing. had alleged against him.
The statement said this action was
taken notwithstanding that the vote
in favor of the resolution was car
rieG by a minority of the whole COM
mittee, and that the vote was taken
over protests of the other members,
who urged that a recess be taken UNI
til the other members could arrive,
and who finally withdrew from the
me citing leaving no quorum present.
Report Was Long One.
The minority" the statement asserts,
proceeded nevertheless, and adopted
report SO typewriter pages in length
which had been prepared in advance
and was never discussed in the com
mittee and then gave it to the news
papers although the law required it
80 be rendered to congress.
Having done this, the statement de-
clares that the minority" adjourned
until December 8, in order, if possible,
Ito foreclose any action, considera-
ton or discussion of evidence by the
committee in the meantime and by
the solemn vote extended leave to
the majority to file the minority re-
port"
The statement condemns the action
of the Minneapolis meeting as lawless
and says it ''leaves it entirely unnec-
essary to ask what sort of justice any
public servant could look for whose
character was on trial during the
excitement of a political campaign"