The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-12-07
REPORT IS
GIVEN TO
congress
Evidence Wholly Failed to Es-
tabliSh a Case
This Is Opinion Of Republican
Majority
CLAWS and Pinchot Roundly
Scored by Committee

Washington, d. c., Dec. 7.-Vindi-
eating Secretary of the Interior Bal
linger upon all the charges brought
against him and condemning his ac-
cusers as having been inspired by a
deep feeling OF luminosity built upon
supposed difference in policy respect
ing conservation, the majority Of the
congressional committee, which inves-
tigated the so-called Ballinger- Pinchot
case. today submitted its report to
congress-.
After stating that the evidence pre-
scented related in the main to charges
of various kinds against Ballinger and
that these came chiefly from two
sources, L. r. CLAWS and Clifford PIN
chot, the majority announced the fol-
lowing conclusion:
THE evidence has wholly failed to
make out a case. Neither any fact
proved nor ali facts put together. ex-
hibit Ballinger as being anything but
a. competent and honorable gentleman.
who honestly and faithfully performed
the duties of his high office with an
rye singly to the public interest"
The report makes the following
specific findings:
That the charges and insinuation
against Secretary Ballinger in regard
10 the Cunningham coal land entries
or other coal land entries of other coal
land claims in Alaska are not justified.
That he was fully justified in re-
voking the Indian cooperative agree
ment
THAT reservations OF water power
sites by Secretary Ballinger were made
In good faith and not in enmfty to the
government and that no injury appears
10 have been done to the government
and the cause of conservation by eth |
sr restrictions or Withdrawals.
~That in view OF the opinion OF the |
attorney general he was justified i'm |
the use of the so-called |
water users CO. operative certificates
In connection with the reclamation Of !
arid lands.
THAT the administration OF the re-
ciamation law presented features Justly
subject to criticism. No unfair criti-
eism or improper conduct on Secre-
tary Ballinger's part has been shown,
nor any action by him not within the
sound discretion of the head OF the
interior department"
After setting forth the fact that the
sntire known coal fields of Alaska,
covering more than 100000 acres, Is
Itill in government ownership, the ne
bort takes up the strife between Sec
.etary Ballinger and other officers of
he government, including Pinchot who
vas deposed as the government for
sster.
The report then says:
''Your committee finds that the in
erests OF the people as owners OF the
IT endangered under existing condi-
ions''
CLAWS Conduct Scored. /
AS to the conduc&of CLAWS, the re-
,ort declares that he had SUFFICIENT I
ime and abundant assistance to make
he field examination which he had de- /
handed. In this connection the COM ]
nittee says:
'If his demand was in good faith,
slavis was grossly remiss In his duty
d not having the examination made .
hem"
Democrats Vote Against II.
The Ballinger- Pinchot Investigation
ommittee concluded its work today.
report representing the views of the
majority of the committee was pre-
enred to both houses of congress at
he opening at noon. AT the same time
reports OF the democratic
lembers of the committee and of Re-
sentative Madison of Kansas also
-ere submitted.
The conclusions Of the republicans
ERE submitted to the democrats at q
leeting of the full committee held at !
J o'clock this morning. The republi-
In members except Representative
[adison had signed the report ! !.
Senator Nelson, chairman of the !.
1mmittee. put the majority report to !.
vote. The democratic members, with
Madison voted against I.