The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-03-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

'
Richard A. Ballinger took Office as Secre-
tary of the Interior in Taft's Cabinet de-
termined to destroy the Roosevelt CON
vseratiou policy to which Taft was CON-
United, followed BY the no less grave
specific charge that Ballinger had de-
liberately deceived his chief for the pur-
pose of carrying out his alleged un-
patriotic purposes. Clifford Pinchot, de-
posed Chief Forester and Ballinger's
arch-enemy, began his testimony before
the joint Congressional Committee on
Saturday.
AS disclosed in its full scope by the de-
tPosed Chief Forester, the struggle was
for the loot of an empire practically in
calculable in value and involving the well
fare not only Of millions. OF the living, but
Of other millions yet unborn. Pinchot
impressively declared that the questions
at issue were incomparably the most
momentous and vital that now confront.
ed the American people or that would
occupy the public mind for many years
to come.
Pinchot accused the Secretary of having
made an explanation of his conduct to
the President thatwas essentially false. -
He charged him with being Dangerous
enemy to conservation. He charged
him with having made a statement
shown by undispHted documentary evil
dence ITO be absolutely false in three
essential particulars" He charges him
with having "wilfully deceived the Presi.
dent" and of being disloyal TO the
President.
~
Although Congress has been in session
nearly three months, none of the leaders
of either party has come forward with
prediction of when final adjournment
may be expected. The uncertainty is
due chiefly to the opposition that has
developed against some Of the Admins
tration measures and the fact that debate
is likely to continue for weeks in connec-
ton with the Presidents bills.
Regardless of this fact, the bills ON
which the President has set his heart are
certain ultimately to be enacted into law.
This istrue as to the Interstate Commerce
bills, two of the conservation measures,
court injunction legislation and postal
savings banks. The Statehood bills will
be made the objects Of severe attack, but
Senator Beveridge, who will report the
Senate measures, hopes TO pilot them
Through. ~
Practically no business will be done in
the Senate, except the consideration OF
appropriation bills, until after the vote
on Thursday on the Postal Savings Bank
bill. Senators having charge of the Ad-
ADMINISTRATION measures do not care to
bring them up until the Postal Bank bill
is out of the way.
i The next bill Of Importance to be con-
sidered is the interstate commerce
measure. Already it has been reported
from the committee, but the formal re-
port ofthe majority has not been present.
ed. The fact that it will be accompanied
with the views ofSthe minority forecasts q
bitter fight over the bill. Whether the
Democrats will join Senators Cummins
and clapp ia opposition to the Taft.
Wickersham bill is not yet clear The
Democrats themselves say that it probably
will be necessary for them to bold con.
ference before any party program can be
announced.
The opposition Of President Gompers.
of the American Federation of Labor. to
the Moon bill relating to court iniunc-
tons. one of the Administration bills.
indicates that this measure will also en-
counter rough spots in its journey
through Congress. IF hearings on the
sill are granted by the House Judiciary
Committee, opposition may be expected
from prominent labor leaders. The
Senate Committee on Judiciary does not
expect to take up this subject al all until
the House acts on.the Moon bill.
The conservation bills will be about the
last to be taken up in Congress. One ex.
ception is that which provides for the is.
suance Of $4,000. 900 in certificates of
Indebtedness to raise money for reclama-
ton work, which is already before the
Senate. As soon as some agreement is
reached as to the manner of retiring these
securities this bill may be passed in The
Senate.
~.
The sensational testimony given by
former Chief Forester Pinchot before the
select investigating committee appointed
to sift the charges and counter charges
between Mr.. Pinchot apd some of his
associates aud Secretary Ballinger and