Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-08

The Insurgent ranks had but one de-
serter-Stevenson of Minnesota
Strangely enough, Fitzgerald of New
York was the only Democrat to cast
his vote with the Republican regulars,
although he led the minority's fight
against the joint resolution. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald previously announced that he
was opposed to the principle of the
amendment because he believed the
Speaker elected by the majority should
| have the power to appoint the members
of committees.
Republican leaders attributed their
defeat to the large number OF absen-
tees, but the tide of battle was really
turned by Mr. PinchCt'S three friends.
| Practically the entire day was devot-
| ed by the House to the consideration
of the joint resolution, which was TAX
fen up after the reading of the Presi-
dents interstate and antitrust mes
Usage had been concluded. The Demo-
Ecrats endeavored to have the proposed
investigation narrowed to the general
land office contending that as no such
charges as made against Secretary
Forester Pinchot there was no reason
for dragging the latter into the inquiry.
Mr. Fitzgerald said he was opposed
to having the investigation made by
Mr.. Rallingers friends as would be
the case if Congress proceeded on the
Iauthority of a resolution which would
require the Presidents signature To
make it operative. He asked for an in
vestigation by special House commit
tee of the general land office but he
was unable 10 rally the strength OF
his own party to his amendment when
it came to vote.
| The resolution as it goes to the Sem
ate provides for an investigating COM
mttee of u members. six to be APP
I,pointed bv the President of the Senate
. and six to be elected by the House..
Washington, Jan. Tt became evil
: dent that the joint resolution author
izing the investigation of the interior
department and the forestry bureau re-
ported by the rules committee, would
encounter stubborn resistance from
the Democratic side. when Chairman
Da]zell reported a privileged resolu-
ton to the House today providing for
immediate consideration of the resolu-
ton.
Mr. Fitzgerald of New York objected
that the forestry bureau was included
in the inquiry, which he considered
unnecessary in view of the fact that
there were no charges against the Of
flee.
An agreement to limit the debate tC
three hours with the privilege of Of
ferins amendments was reached and
. the discussion Immediately opened.
Mr. Fitzgerald opened the debate
Y Declaring he was heartily in favor O
i this investigation he expressed tht
opinion that it should be narrowed
/ down so as to leave out Of the inquiry
Mr. Clifford Pinchot, whose only of
q fence" he asserted, has been that h,
Il has been too active against lant
: thieves and land grfbbers. and so a.
" to deal only with the grave charge.
!. which have been made against the of
fetal integrity and personal honor o
: a member of the Presidents cabinet.
(Mr. BallingeD. s
Mr. Fitzgerald said he thought i
beneath the dignity of Congress to asl
the President to investigate a member
> of his cabinet, and therefore he wa
opposed to JOINT resolution, which
would require the executive signature
Thereupon he offered two amendment:
to the pending resolution. aimed a
emitting the forest bureau from thu
proposed investigation.
Dalzell said House commission
such as was proposed in Hitchcock
resolution, providing for an investiga
ton of the general land Office, would
give no power to procure full informa
ton hearing on the matter in ques
ton while the resolution reported wa:
of sufficient scope to provide for tbs
fullest kind of an inquiry.
Speaking in favor of the resolution, Nor
ris of Nebraska said that the proposed
investigation was such an important mat
ter that he believed the six members Of
the committee to represent the House
; should be elected by that body instead
of being appointed by the Speaker, anc
he offered an amendment to that effect
Rep. Hitchcock of Nebraska questioned
the right of Mr.. Balinger to dictate the
form of the investigation which Congress
shall make and declared the secretary
"Resorted to the tactics of the cuttlefsh
IN attack.
| Martin Dem.) of Colorado criticized
the forest service and the administration
of Forester Pinchot.
Cooper proposed another amendment
making all hearings either by the commit
tee or it's Subcommittee upon to the pub
lie which was agreed to by the rules COM
mittee.
Underwood of Ala. opposed extending
the inquiry to the forest service In con-
Guiding the debate for the minority F'itz-
gerald said that apparently the entire in
vestigation prepared had been arranged
in advance. and the House was merely 60
ing through the farce of ratifying what
| had been agreed upon by the White
| House.
| Scott of Kansas. speaking as friend of
| Mr.. Pinchot, concluded the debate in fav-
or of the adoption of the resolution.
The Norris amendment. providing for
| the appointment of the six House MEM
| bers of the committee by the House was
| then voted upon and was adopted by an
aye and nay vote of 149 to lag, five vot-