Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-08
DEMOCRATS MAY ASK
TAFT DISCHARGE HIM
Cabinet Official Is Held Blameless For
All Charges Preferred Against Him
by Clifford Pinchot and L. r. CLAWS.
Evidence Fails to Make Out Case
Against Accused.
tRy Assoclated Frs.k>

w o.Ns H. ~ ~. g
dicating Secretary of the Interior Bal
linger upon all the charges brought
against him. and condemning his &C
cusers as having Deen inspired by a
deep feeling OF luminosity built upon
a supposed difference in policy re
speeding conservation, majority of
the COZ gressional committee which in
vesticated the so-called Ballinger-Pin-
chot case today submitted its report
TO congress.
In the opinion OF. several Republi-
can members, a majority of the COM
mittoc, Secretary Ballinger honestly
and faithfully performed the duties of
his high Office with an eye single to
the plblic interest"
In the opinion of the four Demo-
Gratis, Mr.. Ballinger has not been true
TO the trust reposed 10 him as secre
tary OF the interior. and should be re
auested by the Dropert authorities, TO
fesiaD his Office"
Committees Meet.
Both reports >and the independent
report of MIR. Madison were offered in
the senate by Senator Nelson, and In
the house by Mr.. Mccall. Their pre-
sentation followed a meeting of the
full committee. The Democratic men,
bers, led by Senator Fletcher. of Flor
ida, agreed TO this method of getting
the reports before congress after their
motion to substitute their own report
had been rejected in the committee
Senator Fletcher first raised the point
of order that the committee had al
ready approved the report that was
made Iublic at Minneapolis. This point
was Oyerruled by Chairman Nelson
Agreement Reached.
A motion then was made to substi-
tate the Democratic report for the re-
port sgreed upon by the seven Re
publican members. This was voted
down, to 5, Representative Madison
voting with the four Democrats IL
was agreed by the committee, after
the majority report had been adopted,
that all three should be presented at
once in each house and printed to-
getlsr. Under this arrangement the
dissenting reports are given equal
standing with the majority report, be-
fore the two houses.
Senator Fletcher said later that
steps would be taken by -theoDemo-
Gratis to bring about action in accord
ance with the recommendations con-
tanned in their-repcTt.
The reports we're accepted in botn
houses without comment. The plan OF
action 10 be followed BY the Democrats
has Lot been determined upon, but II
is understood a resolution will be pre-
sented 20 carry out tire recommends
ton made for the secretary's removal.
Nay Ask His Discharge.
Such 4 resolution probably viii call
fatty upon the president 10 discharge
his cabinet officer The Democrats
held conference on the matter to-
DAY. They characterize the majority
report as weak" while the Republi-
<san members OF the committee de-
clared IL has fully answered ali
charge; made against Ballinger and
has disposed > Of all testimony pre-
senied during the long hearing
An cfTort undoubtedly, will be maze
10 nut the house on record as to It's
opinion Of the majority report
Ths general feeling is that there
will he no action on the report at this
session, which means not at all for
the report loses its force with the ex-
pira,ion OF the prescst congress in
March.
NO Discussion Of Report
The Democratic members. With Rep
resen.aiire Madison. voted against H.
Senator Nelson. chairman Of the CON-
miitee. introduced me report in the
senate and az his request $1,000 copies
we're ordered printed. together with
1000 copies OF the voluminous iesii-
snony taken before the committee.
Representative Mccall introduced the
report in the housee There was TO
discussion Of u.
The report was signed by Senator
Knufe Nelson. chairman: Frank p
Flint. George Sutherland and f1,hu
Root and Rcprescni atiyes Samuel nc.
Call. Of Massachusetts,. vice-chairman /.
Marlin +. Oimstead. Of Pennsylvania,
and Et1in DENLY. Of Michigan. all Re
pnblicans.
A few months ago. the Democratic
~ mb-rs. Senators D. Z. Fletcher and
william r Purcell and Representa-
fivcs ollie Gaines and James ". Ora
ham. Of IIincis. together with Repre-
sentative Edmond " Madison. 81 Kan
sas. progressive Republican. pct OF
ano her report. WHICH they maintained
10 BE- the majority opinion. condemn