Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-12
Committeeman
eLUNDER BY FORCING DELAY
BaIineer Whitewashed Would Be Less
Dangerous to Congressional candi-
dates Than Evident Fear to Meet the
Issue-WhoIe Row Will Be Trans
Especial Correspondence. ]

Of the case is paving the way for
spirited fight in congress. according to
the views expressed here. Whatever
may be the result Of the deliberations
Of the committee now assembled an
situation seems certain to
be brought about in which President
Taft on the one hand. and congress
on the other will be involved. unless
Secretary Ballinger tenders his resig-
nation before congress has an oppor-
'uritN to sit in judgement on the ma
jority and minority reports OF the
Notwiths tandine the efforts o. the
democratic members Of the committee
. put the committee on record for or
against Secretary Ballinger before the
November elections il is generally cor
Ceeded that the case viii not be finally
disposed OF until congress as a whole
passes final Judgment There : con-
siderable speculation in Washington,
however. as TO what effect he con-
troversr within the committee Will
have in the public mind The majority
~ mbers of the committee are placed
in the position Of endeavoring 10 head
off final vote indefnitely This con-
clusion is drawn from the fact that
neither Senator's Root, Of New York.
nor Flint OF California has shown any
disposition 70 GO TO ST Paul in order
- cast their final votes while the ac-
tivi-ies OF the republican members al
ready there have been confined chiefly
10 breaking quorums. There is very
serious doubt in the minds Of some of
the administration officials as to the
wisdom Of this course.
Becomes Campaign Issue.
Il is now accepted by the presidents
chief political advisers and. it is be-
lieved by the president himself. that
Secretary BaIlinser is big issue in
the coming congressional campaign.
Congressional candidates in more than
one district have reported that they
We're seriously embarrassed in their
candidacy by the delay OF the congress
sional Investigating committee in
reaching a conclusion as TO the merits
of case which has been dragging
along for many months. 1t has been
suggested to Presiden, Taft and 70 the
man who are conducting the congress
sional campaign that much Of the crit
icsm against the administration be
cause Of the retention Of Secretary
Ballinger would Cease II the committee
would get down 10 business and settle
The matter, 50 far as il Is concerned.
one way or the other. Several infuen-
tial members Of the party have ex-
pressed the opinion Of late that Il
would be better to have a verdict up
holding Ballingsr than 10 let the coun-
Try get the impression thar the com
nit,ee and. Of necessity tina admins |
tration. is afraid 10 have verdict rem
de~ei prior TO the congressional cleo
tons II is pointed ont that with
verdic, on record republican candidates
vii be in a far better position than
they are today even tho they might ba
called upon to defend a report favorable
70 Ballinger.
Pubic's Sentiment Known.
In line with this argument it IS
pointed out that members Of congress
VIII. in many instances. come back 70
wa shington with some very definite
ideas as TO how their constituents feel
about the Ballinger case The house
gave ample demonstration of its feel
ings in the matter at the time the
joint investigating committee was APP
pointed. Representative Norris. of Ne
braska. one Of the leading Insurgents.
precipitated a big row when he intro
duced his resolution calling for the
election Of the house members of the
committee by the house itself instead
Of having them appointed by Speaker
Cannon. but ne won his point The
house will have to go on record IN the
Balinger case again when II IS called
upon 10 pass judgment on the COM
nittee report. and II is regarded as
certainty that there will be a long and
bitter fight.
Must Be Kicked Out.
Secretary Ballinger thus far has
shown no disposition 20 resign and 50
far as can be learned has no intention
Of doing 50 unless his resigna ton is
asked for by President Taft In the
event that he adheres to this position,
even after the investigating committee
has taken a final vote, 1t is now re-
garded as more than probable that
a resolution will be introduced in the
house calling upon President Taft to
remove the secretary of the Interior
Such a resolution will necessarily Gre
ate an extremely delicate situation.
That 1t will be fought by the old guard
in the house orga nization is regarded
as certainty.
Probable Action by Congress.
There seems little probability that the
senate would be willing to 90 as far as
the house in a matter, for instance, in
resolution calling for the
secretary's resignation. Were the call
made in the form Of joint resolution
requiring concurrent action by the sem
ate there Is possibility that It would
meet defeat in the upper branch of
congress. 1t is probable. therefore, that
the demand for Ballingers resignation
will be made in a simple house resolu-
ion, requiring only an ordinary roll
.an in the house. This was the method
decided upon when the investigating
committee refused to call for the pap
srs containing the proof that President
rafts letter generating Ballinger had
,een prepared by Oscar Lawler and
had been read by Secretary Baliinger
prior to it's transmission to Beverly, ,
and also the letter of the attorney gen.
ral which, 1t was shown, had been ante
lated.