The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-05

OF WIDE SCOPE
Joint Resolution introduced To-
day Ordering Ballinger-
Pinch0t Probe.
SENATOR DEFENDS SECRETARY
Committee Of Twelve to Be Appointed
to Take Charge Of Inquiry Which
Will Be Searching-No
Whitewash Urged.


| Washington, Jan. 5.-Investigation
of the Ballinger- Pinchot controversy
| is ordered by a joint resolution today
introduced i'm the Senate by Mr.. Jones.
and in the House by Mr. Humphrey,
| both of Washington. AS heretofore
announced the provision is for the
broadest kind of public inquiry. the
resolution being of the character re-
quiring the signature of the President
which gives to 1t all the force of gen.
eral law
A committee Of twelve is to be APP
pointed to conduct the investigation.
Vice President Sherman and six by
Speaker Cannon. Unquestionably Sem
ator Nelson, chairman OF the senate
Committee on Public Lands. will head
the list of Senators and this doubtless
will result in his selection as chairman
the investigation is outlined as fol-
lows:
"The committee is hereby empow-
cred and directed to make a thorough
and complete investigation of the adj
ministration and conduct of the In
terror Department. its several bureaus,
officers and employees and of the Bu-
reau of Forestry in the Agricultural
Department, its officers and employees,
touching or relating to the reclama-
| ton, conservation, management and
disposal of the public lands Of the
United States, or any lands held in
trust by the United States for any
purpose. including all the natural re-
sources of such lands, and said COM
mittee is authorized and empowered
| TO make any further investigation
touching said department its bureaus,
officers or employees and of said Bu-
reau of Forestry. its officers or en-
ployees as 1t may deem desirable"
The authority 70 sit during sessions
OF Congress, and i'm recesses. to re-
auire the attendance of witnesses and
the production of papers, usual to
congressional Inquiries, is granted by
the resolution. II is provided further
that any person refusing to obey the
process of the committee or to answer
any question propounded shall be
deemed guilty of contempt and juris-
diction is conferred upon the Court OF
Appeals of the District of Columbia to
try and determine any such charges of
contempt.
| Employment of assistance, illegal or
otherwise" is specifically authorized.
This provision is for the purpose of en-
abling the committee to procure the
services of able attorneys to take
charge of the probing so far as the
directing of questions is concerned.
1t Is the intention of President Taft to
have the committee name some com
petent attorney TO conduct the case,
and 1t is possible that both of the prln-
cipals to the controversy may be rep
resented by counsel.
| 1t was agreed by all persons who
have given close attention to the Bal
linger- -Pinchot squabble that the in
vestigation should be open to the pub
lie and this is ordered by the reso-
luton. one of the big rooms in the
new senate office building will be
used for this purpose.
Jones upholds Bsllinser.
In presenting the resolution Mr.
Jones said:
"The various departments and bu-
reaus of the Government are organlz-
ed to do its business in the interests
| of 10
the servant and agent of the people to
act for them under and within the
limits Of the law. The efficiency OF
public service depends much upon the
confidence of the people In the hon.
esty and integrity of their servants
and agents.
"It is a bad commentary upon the
state of public opinion that the mo-
ment a man accepts a public office ht
becomes a scoundrel in the eyes OF
many of our people and his previous
life of honesty and rectltude Is nc
warrant of official integrity. His acts
are misconstrued and his motives
questioned. Insinuation and innuen-
does are freely made under the guis'
of the public welfare but in reality
TO foster some private interest. Pop
ular views are taken advantage Of e
discredit an official who, after inves
tigating all phases of a subject, ma!
reach a decision at variance with som
private interest
/ "Many do not stop 10 think how sci
| dom have Government officials gon
| astray compared with their opportuni
5 ties and temptations for wrong doine
2 In the hundred and twenty-five year
1 of our national life few Of the men II
, high positions have been actuated b
other than the highest and most pa
triotic motives. This should caus
] our people to hesitate TO accept charg
E es OF base conduct against their pub
!. lie servants without Investigation an
I proof
2 "The press and magazines Of tn
r country for several months have bee
3 filled with charges against the prcsen
Secretary of the Interior and his con