The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-04
HOLMES IS FOUGHT
AS HEAD OF MINES
Ballinger and Friends Class
Him as a Foe of the
Secretary.
By THEODORE H. TILLER.

That the Ballinger- Pinehot controversy
has been dragged irrelevantly into the
selection Of the head OF the new bu-
reau Of mines is the assertion made at
the Capitol today by some Of those who
are urging the President to appoint J. A.
Holmes chief technologist Of the Geo
logical Survey, TO MI that important
position
Sixty-two Senators, including Senator
Charles Dick. Chairman OF the Senate
Committee on Mines and Mining, and
most ardent advocate Of Holmes. have
Endorsed him. in addition, the chief
technologist is understood to have the
backing Of practically every mining
federation in the country.
Opposed is Secretary OF the Interior
BaHinger; George Otis Smith, chief OF
the Geological Survey; Representative
Tawney, chairman Of the House Appro-
priation Committee; Speaker Cannon,
and a few other members Of the House
The President has agreed 70 withhold
the appointment until the two factions
can present their claims. II Is ex-
pected that the decision OF the President
will be announced Immediately after his
return TO Washington.
Mr.. Holmes did not testify in favor
OF Secretary Bauinger during the recent
investigation Of the dispute between the
Interior Department and the forestry
bureau. Neither did Mr.. Holmes testify
against the Secretary Of the Interior.
The friends Of Mr. Holmes say that he
knew OF nothing relevant TO the inquiry.
BaIlinger Glasses Him as Foe.
Notwithstanding this. It is well known
that the present opposition 10 the ap-
pointment Of MI Holmes is based upon
the assumption that he is inimical 10
BsIlinger and his policy. That he is
eminently qualified TO Ill the position
for which he is urged is set forth in the
Endorsement given him by a pracu
cally two-thirds Of the Senate member
ship which has signed the petition for
Holmes selection.
This petition was circulated by Sena-
tor LICK. assisted oy senator DLAGn . o.
Montana. reDreSenting the MINING
States Il was signed BY both regulars
and Insurgents
II is understood that although Speaker
Cannon and Representative TaWney pre-
Ter the selection OF David Ross. their
opposition 10 Holmes is not SO Unyield-
ing as that OF the Secretary OF the IN
terror and the chief Of the Geological
survey. WHICH Is GGl4cI AL@N 4eL14
Il Is pointed out that the Secretary
has begun his 'Teedinz OUT OF the
reclamation service Director Newell Is
TO 70. ard. IL is reported. Chief In
glneer Arthur p DAVIS VIII follow
These men we're not among those VINO
came forward ana testified for Mr. Bal
linger during the investigation OF the
Pinchot-Ballnge natter Il Is claimed
that they are Carried men
A Garfield Man.
In the same connection. one Of the
Senator's who has Endorsed Mr.. Holmes.
made the following observation today
I can explain the opposition 10
Holmes in no other way than upon the
assumption that he Is regarded at The
Interior Department as a Carried man.
whatever that Is. IL Is a matter Of cur
rent knowledge now that despite the
fact that every mine owner in the coun-
Try, and every miner, so far as / know.
wants Holmes TO become the head OF
the new bureau, that he is being EigDr-
Ousiy opposed By Mr.. Ballinger and d.
rector George Otis Smith The OppOsi-
ton Of the latter IS fully as strong, or
stronger, as I understand il, than that
Of the Secretary himself.
Some Senators fail 20 see why the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. matter should Be in
jected into practically everything having
10 do with the Interior Department
nowadays. The bureau OF mines will
Government service, il should start out
along the right lines and the most en-
inently qualified man TO be found should
be placed at its head
IF Mr.. Holmes were not that man, il
does not seem that he would nave been
Endorsed by the Senators from the min
ing States. the mining interests them
selves, and every mining journal pub
lished-"
Holmes Is Close MOuthed.
Mr.. Holmes himself is having nothing
10 say about the matter. although aware
Of the fact that strong influences are at
work both :or and against him.
In departmental and Congressional
circles the fight is regarded as one Of
the most peculiar and bitterly Waged
with with the present Administration
has had 10 deal Before President Taft
left Washington ne agreed TO hold the
matter in allegiance Upon the day OF
his departure, however, came the re-
port that E W. Parker. connected
with the Geological Survey, had been
named.
Senator Dick. and other, Senators
who had been assured that the Presi-