The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-08
few senators who would be quoted to-

few senators who would be quoted to-
night. said:
Il am very sorry that Mr. Pinchot
who is a warm friend of mine wrote
the letter which resulted in this action.
The letter undoubtedly will prejudice his
chances in Congress, but the episode will
not affect the investigation by Congress
which will be just as thorough as IL this
action had not been taken"
Senator Nelson of Minnesota, who is
to be chairman of the investigating COM
mittee, indicated today that no action
with reference to Mr.. Pinchot would
affect the scope or thoroughness of the
inquiry
Speaker Cannon received his "jolt'' to-
day in the House in the vote on the
amendment offered by Representative
Norris of Nebraska, the insurgent lead
er, and the vote was 149 10 1876 ) voting
present" So unexpected was the VIC
tory accomplished that the insurgents and
their democratic allies could scarcely be-
lieve their ears when the speaker an
nounced the vote. For an instant COM
plete silence reigned and then the storm
broke out. For almost a full minute the
noise in the chamber was deafening.
Democrats JubiIant.
After the demonstration the democrats.
jubilant that they had helped to pierce
speaker, seemed willing to abandon their
fight against the resolution itself. which
all afternoon had appeared TOO broad to
suit them and most all of them voted for
1t on viva voce vote.
1.-The organization leaders made no at
tempt to conceal their confusion. There
was q hurried conference at Representa-
tive DalzelTs desk, and for time the
insurgents feared that their triumph was
IN l.a oh IF
republicans who voted for the amend
ment had never been classed with their
number and they suspected that at least
one of them might have voted In the at
flrmative in order that he might move
to reconsider in the event the amend
ment carried.
No such move was made. although sew
eral Of the regulars whom Representa-
tive Dwight, 1.-The whip had been I'M
able to corral when he made his round
I'D, for the vote, began struggling in
and another vote would have been closer,
1t Is said. 1t developed that three reg
ulars who voted for the amendment were
all stanch friends Of Chief Forester Pin
chot and that they had favored the cleo
ton of members of the committee by the
House to insure an impartial jury 10
try what is popularity known as the "Rin-
chot and Ballinger case" They were Rep
resentatives Ames of Massachusetts and
Fish and Parsons of New York.
Only One Deserter.
The insurgents ranks had only one de-
serter and this was STEVENSON of Min
nesota Strangely enough Mr. Fitzgerald
of New York was the only democrat to
cast his vote with the republican reg
ulars, although he led the minority fight
on the joint resolution. Mr. Fitzgerald
previously announced that he was op-
H. z,~.Io - =, .%xVr,
as he believed the speaker elected by
the majority should have the power to
appoint the members of committees.
Republican leaders attributed their de-
feat to the large number of absentees.
but the tide of battle was really turned
by Mr.. Pinchot's three friends.
Practically the entire day was devoted
by the House to the consideration OF
the joint resolution which was taken UP
after the reading Of the Presidents in
terstate and ANTITRUST message had been
concluded.
The democrats made their fight on an
attempt to narrow the proposed investi-
cation to the general land office, con-
tending that as no such charges as had
been made against Secretary Ballinger
had been preferred against Forester Pin
chot, there was no reason for dragging the
latter into the inquiry
Mr. Fitzgerald said he opposed having
/ the Investigation made by Mr.. Ballinger >
friends, as would be the case II they
proceeded on authority Of a resolution
! which required the Presidents signature
| to make It operative He asked for an
| investigation by q special House commit
tee of the general land Office. but he
| said he was unable to rally the strength
| of his own party to his amendment when
| It came to a vote.
The resolution as 1t goes to the Senate
| provides for an investigation committee
| Of II members, six to be appointed by
the president Of the Senate and six to
| be elected by the House.
| Pinchot Has Friends.