New-York tribune., 1910-01-06
BALLINGER INQUIRY
RESOLUTIONS PUT IN.
Investigation To BE Joint and
Open-Conseruation Bills.
[From The Tribune Bureau ]


Washington Jan SIN both branches OF
Congress measures were taken to-day to
investigate thoroughly and impartially the
facts in the Baliinger- Pinchot controversy.
1t is settled that this investigation will be
conducted by a joint committees consisting
of six Senator'S and six Representatives. OF
which Senator Nelson probably will be
chairman. 1t is the intention of the lead
ers not to delay beginning this inquiry, and
it is expected that in the course of ten
days the committee will be ready for work
The hearings will be open to the public,
and no effort will be spared TO make the
inquiry exhaustive In every way.
That the controversy between the Secre-
tary of the Interior and the Chief Forester
has already produced results was apparent
to-day in the widespread interest in two
conservation bills which were introduced in
the Senate. One of them, by Mr.. Cham
berlair. provides for the regulation and de-
velopment Of water power sites. The other.
by Mr.. Nelson. outlines plan which shall
govern the disposition of the public domain
in the future This measure gives the Pres
ident through the Secretary OF the Interior,
action by Congress. any portion OF the pub
lie domain which NAV be regarded as valu-
able for water power. irrigation or forestry
Mr. Nelson adopts thet recommendations of
Secretary Ballinger by providing in his bill
for the division of the public domain into
eight classes. follows: Agricultural lands,
irrigable lands, dry farming lands, timber
lands. coal lands. mineral lands, national
forest lands and water power lands. The bill
prescribes the methods by which each OF
the enumerated classes OF lands is to be ac-
quired or developed and aims TO conserve
the resources of the nation without ham
pering legitimate private enterprise.
Identical resolutions to investigate the
Department Of the Interior and the Forest
Service were introduced in the Senate and
House. The Senate resolution was offered
by Mr.. Jones who paid tribute to Secre-
tary Ballnger and said he had made speci-
ic recommendations regarding al i'm
portant conservation problems. and had
not dealt in glittering generalities. Mr..
Jones wanted his resolution referred TO the
Committee on Public Lands, but at the sug
gestion of Mr.. Lodge it was ordered TO lie
on the table until tomorrow.
In the House. Representative Humphrey,
who introduced the resolution for the ap-
spoke in the highest. terms of Secretary
Ballnger as a fellow citizen OF Seattle,
where he said nobody ever questioned his
integrity, He also praised Mr.. Pinchot
The Jones' Humphrey resolutions provide
that the investigation shall be made by a
committee of six Senator'S to be appointed
by the Vice President and six Representa-
tives to be appointed by the Speaker. The
probable personnel of this committee is
subject of considerable speculation. As
stated, it seems to be pretty well under
stood that Senator Nelson will be the chair
man. Senators Root, Sutherland and Flint
Republicans. and Senator's Paynter and
Hughes, Democrats. are prominently men
toned as the Senate members of the COM
mittee. Senator Clarke. OF Arkansas has
also been suggested one of the proba BILE
minority members of the committee. AS the
House members of the committee the fol-
lowing are mentioned: Representatives
Dalzell, Mccall. Stevens and Martin, Re-
publicans, and Representatives Sherley and
Howard, or Moon. Democrats.