Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-10
REPUBLICANS REFUSE
TO ATTEND MEETING
Unusual Proceedings Take Place
When Minority Members OF Com
mttee Organize Their Own Body and
Proceed to Business-hieh Praise
Heaped Upon Pinchot and CLAWS.

MINNEAIOIlS, MINI, sept. "
That Richard A. Ballinger has not
been true to the trust repOsed in him
as secretary of the interior; that he
il not deserving of public confidence,
and that he should be requested by
the proper authorities to resign his
Office
The foregoing sums up the findings
OF the four Democratic members of
the Ballinger-Pinchot congressional
investigating committee which were
made public today.
The Republican members issued no
report of any kind bearing upon the
controversy.
An Independent report was given
out by Mr. Madison. the insurgent
Republican, from Kansas, which de-
Clarcs also that Mr.. Ballinger should
mot be retained; that he was an un
faithful trustee of the peoples inter
est and enemy OF conservation and
that the charges of Clifford Pinchot
should be sustained.
These findings will be printed and
filed with congress.
The Democratic report is signed by
Senators Duncan L. Fletcher. of
Florida. and William L. Purcell, of
North Dakota. and Representatives
James NJ Graham, of Illinois. II
says:
The Report.
THAT there was no conspiracy
against Mr.. Ballinger.
That Clifford Pinchot and L. r.
CLAWS. were faithful trustees of the
peoples interests.
THAT Mr.. Baninger's conduct on
certain occasions was intended to
have effect of deceiving the Presi-
dent.
That Mr.. Bauinger's action in
having clear listed the sO-calIed Gun
ningham Alaska coal lands and order
ing them patented showed bad faith
That he advocated bill TO vail
date Alaska coal claims alleged to be
fraudulent.
THAT his action in acting as attor-
ney in cases pending in the land OF
fee while he was commissioner was
reprehensible.
THAT he helped to force the Gun
ningham coal claims TO hearing be
fore the governmSRI was ready to
proceed -
THAT he encouraged insubordina-
ton in reclamation service
Numerous official acts OF Mr.. Bal
Iingcr are attacked.
High praise is gwen Clifford Pin
chnt. former chief forester. and l.. r.
IL. 8 Sid Il fr~s.s sf.rr
Of the general land Office
Msdson's Findings
Mr.. Madison's conclusions are:
THAT the charges of Messrs. Ola
Wis and PInchot SHOULD be sustained
That MIR. Bailingor has been I'M
faithful to the public interests.
That in the matter Of the Gun
ningham coal lands he was not a
faithful trustee Of the peoples inter
eSis.
That with regard TO the reclama-
ito service he has taken action tend
ing towards its disintegration
Secretary Bailincer's- acton in re
storing water power sites without in
teniion to withdraw * also criticized
along with his conservation policy
among other thaings.
Unusual Proceedings
The decision Of the four Denocra-
tic members aud Mr. Madison 20
make the reports public followed a
session which was unusual.
Three Republican members. Scna-
tor SUTHERLAND. 81 Utah. Representa-.
tive Mccall. Of Massachusetts and
DENLY Of Michigan. refused 10 attend
The meeting. Finally the chairman
81 the committee himself Senator
Nelson. Of Minnesota. left the com
miticc room and failed 20 return.
Chairman Nelson cavc notice that
= meeting woIid be held in Chicago
next Tuesday. The Democratic
members Adjourned 10 meet AGAIN in
Washington on December 2.
Representative ollie ". James. ~
Kentucky. ono 81 the Democratic
members. announced that an The
Democrats would refuse 10 attend
the meeting of which senator Nelson
las given notice. The Republican
will ihcn BE- IN tho same position
that the Democratic members and
Mr.. Madison found themselves IN 20
DAY
A resolution adopted ~ the Dem.
ocrafs and Mr.. Madison provided for
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