Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-07

quorum present.
Minneapolis, Mimi. Sept. AT
the executive meeting of the Ballin-
ger-Pinchot investigating committee
today Senator Fletcher of Florida.
democrat, introduced a resolution
holding that the secretary of the in
terror was unfaithful as public Of
6cer and should be removed.
Representative Madison, a Repub-
lican insurgent of Kansas, offered a
resolution holding that the charges
which had been made by Pinchot
and CLAWS, former chief of the f>,d
division of the general land office,
were sustained.
Provides for Removal.
James, democrat, of Kentucky, Of
fered an amendment to the Madison
substitute resolution providing for
the removal of BaIlinger from office
and Madison accepted the amend
nent The vote came up on the
Madison substitute as amended by
the motion of James and the roll
was called.
Those voting for the substitute
were Fletcher, Purcell of North Da-
kota, democrat; Graham, Illinois,
democrat; Madison, republican, and
James.
Two Leave Room.
When the vote was being taken
Senator Sutherland of Utah, repub-
1ican, and Representative Mccall of
Massachusetts,, republican, left the
room, insisting the full committee
should be present. The democrats
replied they had been months con-
sidering the evidence, a quorum was
present and had right to transact
business.
Nelson Rules without Request.
Nelson, chairman, took vote,
voting present himself, and then
made ruling of no quorum present.
James made the point of order that
no member had raised a point of no
quorum. The committee took a re-
cess until Friday, when reports in
keeping with the Fletcher resolution
,and the Madison amendment will
be submitted.
Makes wording Strong.
It was suggested that in fairness to
the two absent members adjournment
should be taken until Friday. How
ever, Fletcher offered his resolution de-
claring Ballinger unfaithful, inefficient
and unfit for the responsible position
he holds; that the public interests are
not safe in his hands, that the public
good demands his removal; that a re-
nrf fn h. in wit
these findings be prepared.
Madison Equally Radical.
Madison's amendment proposed
these findings: That CLAWS charges
against Ballinger be sustained; that
in the disposition of the Cunningham
coal lands Ballinger was unfaithful to
the people and did not properly pro-
tect their interests. That the charges
made by Pinchot be sustained; that
Ballinger's administration of the in
terror department lacked fidelity to pub
lie interests as shown in the treat
ment Of the Cunningham coal claims,
restoration of water power sites to
entry without intention of rewith-
drawal and in his administration of
the reclamation service, the latter re-
sulting in unnecessary humiliation to
the director and tending toward disin-
tegrating the service, he has not
shown himself to be the friend of con-
servation and should be removed.
Vote for Immediate Report.
On motion that report be made at
this session resulted five favorable.
Nelson, Sutherland and Mccall de
olined to vote until the arrival Of the
absent members
Two Absent.
When the committee met the follow
ing members were present: Senators
Nelson, chairman; Sutherland, Repre-
sentatives Mccall and Madison of Kan
sas, republicans, and Senators Fletcher
ard Purcell, Representatives James of
Kentucky and Graham of Illinois, dem
ocrats. DENLY of Michigan, republi-
can, was detained at home by the cleo