Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-17
Result of Charges by Repre-
sentative Hitchcock.
HOUSE WILL INVESTIGATE
Inquiry to Be Independent of That
by Joint Committee.
SUBPOENAS TO BE ISSUED
Allegations of Extravaganza, Fa-
voritism and Misuse Of Funds.
Changes Without Authority.

AS a result of specific charges of ex-
travagance and favoritism in the general
land office. together with misuse of ap-
preparations, made today by Representa-
tive Hitchcock of Nebraska before the
House committee on expenditures in the
Interior Department, that body will i'm
mediately undertake an investigation.
thorough and searching, which will be
entirely independent of the inquiry. to
be conducted by the joint committee of
ger-Pinchot controversy. Witnesses will
be called from the personnel of the In
terror Department, and if they fail to
show up the expenditure committee will
ask the House for authority to compel
them to attend and testify under oath,
Charges Against Secretary.
Mr.. Hitchcock made one charge this
morning against Secretary of the In
terror Ballinger, which related to the en-
ployment of the Secretarys nephew, Jack
Ballinger. while the Secretary was COM
missioner of the general land Office.
Mr.. Hitchcock alleged that Mr.. Ballinger
reduced Judge Wright, one of the law
clerks. from $1,000 to 1,4OO in order 10
make room for this nephew. and he
alleged that when Mr. Ballinger was
ready to retire from the head OF the land
office, and after Jack Ballinger had an
nounced that he would retire at the same
time and go to Seattle to practice law.
the position of special inspector of
offices was created in order that the
young man might return to Seattle at
the expense of the government and con-
tinue to draw his salary as well.
Jack Ballinger resigned, Mr.. Hitchcock
said. just two weeks after he reached
Wright died of disappointment and hu-
initiation soon thereafter.
Changes Not Authorized.
Further charges were made by Mr.
being increased and new positions
created in the Interior Department with
out authority of law. and that many of
the field agents are not qualified for the
jobs they hold.
After Mr. Hitchcock had concluded his
statement the committee decided that
the charges were specific enough to war
rant a searching inquiry into the eX-
penditures in the department..
The investigation will be begun al once.
An affidavit was presented by Mr..
Hitchcock at the meeting of the commit
tee called to permit him to substantiate
his charges of extravaganza IN the IN
terror Department. The committee de-
cided to issue subpoenas on Secretary
Ballinger, Commissioner bennett Of the
general land office and all others inter-
ested in the charges to appear as wit
neSses before the committee next Wednes-
day morning.
Allegations Made Under Oath.
The affidavit alleges improper use of
the million-dolla appropriation "for the
protection of the public domain against
frauds, by the purchase of expensive
furniture amounting into the tens of
thousands of dollars" the erection of "a
certain large brick chimney for land Of
flee at considerable expense, the en-
ployment of some eighty additional
clerks salaries increased, and in one
case at least doubled out of this mil
Iion-dollar fund Getting the case of Chief
of the Field Service Schwartz as this in
stanceJ; long telegraph bills. which
cover long extracts from the newspapers
sent in by travelling representatives OF
the general land office. selection of spe-
cia! agents not al ali qualified" etc.