New-York tribune., 1910-01-10
GFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

tFrom The Tribune Bureaul
Washington. Jan. 9.-History was made
fast in Washington last week and Sunday
came as a grateful lull in a strenuous
period The Presidents message on the
interstate commerce law and the Sherman
antitrust law, the introduction of the
resolution providing for an investigation
of the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy, the
Attorney Generals brief on the CLAWS
charges. Mr. Pinchot's letter. made public
by Senator Dolliver: President Taft's re-
moval of Pinchot and two Of his subordi-
mates the "insurgent" victory in the
House. Governor Hughess body blow to
the income tax amendment and a number
OF less important events have contributed
TO the livliest week the Taft administra-
tion has thus far experienced and polti-
clans and officials all welcomed the breath
ing spell afforded by the day of rest, espe-
cially as there lis ABUNDANT prospect of an
interesting week to come, although prob
ably less exciting one.
Much has been written and more has
been said regarding conservation. but did
you ever undertake to define the term?
Probably not. The man who has is the ex-
cepuon. OF course, many people have an
IDEA OF what conservation means, 'n a
broad sense, but when they undertake to
explain their idea they find that it is in
the broadest possible sense. The fact is
that ii is almost impossible TO find any two
men who will agree on the meaning OF the
term. whether they be its advocates or it's
opponents, and it has practically remained
for President Taft TO give an authoritative
definition. This he is expected to do in his
message which will be submitted to Con-
gress probably tomorrow. certainly this
AZ
his careful painstaking manner he will out
line policy which will hereafter be ac-
cepted as constituting conservation in its
official sense. whether that be broader than
some of its advocates would wish or mar
rover than conforms to the views of others
John Stuart Mil declares that intelligent
discussion is impossible without clear un-
derstanding Of the terms employed, and 1t
is entirely possible that Mr.. Taft's official
definition of the term will remove in large
part the misunderstanding which have at
tended the use OF the term and the discus
sion Of the policy.
The Jones resolution. providing for the
forthcoming investigation Of the Ballinger-
P.nchot controversy, will be taken up in
the Senate tomorrow, and will doubtless
be amended to conform TO the views of
House members of the committee is con-
cerned. It is doubtful, however, if the SEN
ate will accept the Poindexter amendment,
which provides that those involved IN the
controversy may be represented by coun-
sci. Representative Poindexter, although
coming from Judge BaIlinger's state. is an
ardent Pinchot man. and il was at the
wish Of the ex-forester that he secured
the adoption Of this amendment. The Sen
ate has provided that the committee may
employ its own counsel, which is intended
to forestau employment of counsel by those
investigated. On the other hand, the
friends Of Mr.. Pinchot declare that he
and his associates, including Mr.. CLAWS,
will be represented by the best counsel
money can employ. and it is intimated that
all the funds of the National Conservation
Commission will be at the disposal Of Mr..
Pinchot for this purpose. It is the view
OF Senators, however, that a committee
composed largely OF lawyers, and with
counsel OF its own, can conduct a much
fairer and more satisfactory investigation
than would follow If those interested were
represented by paid counsel, whose task
1t would be to becloud the issues and to
circumvent the full and free inquiry. with
constant insistence on rules Of evidence
and the rights OF their clients
90
When the House meets tomorrow it will
doubtless continue its deliberations on the
Military Appropriation bill. but should the
Senate amend the Humphrey resolution, as
seems probable. the lower chamber would
doubtless interrupt its consideration of the
appropriation bill long enough TO send the
Humphrey resolution 20 conference. II is
expected therefore. that the Ballinger-
Plnchot INVESTIGATION will begin before the
close OF this week. The leaders estimate
that it will require two or three days more
10 complete the military BILL and It will
be- according to present plans, irnnedi-
ately followed by the fortihcations bin,
which will be reported tomorrow. The
District OF Columbia appropriation bill has
already gone 10 the Senate. where its con-
sideration will be undertaken as soon as
the District Committee completes its Ia