Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-08
Four Regulars Absent, Two Quit
Room When Action Forced
on Charges
mo QUORUM SAY TAFT MEN
Verdict, as Adopted, Holds SeCre-
tary UnfaithfuI and Recon-
mendS Removal
Associated Pressl


MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 7.-Condemna-
tion of Richard A. Ballinger, secre-
tary of the interior, in the administers
tion of his department, and declara-
tion that he should no longer be re-
tained in that office, are contained in
a resolution adopted today by FIVE
members of the congressional COM
mittee, which has been investigating
the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy.
These fve-four Democrats and one
Republican-assert that their vote is
binding upon the committee as a
whole. This, however, is disputed by
the other three members of the COM
mittee who were present today.
But five of the twelve members of
the committee voted for the adoption
of the resolution which was offered
by Representative 3. H. Madison of
Kansas, an insurgent Republican.
consequently the question has arisen
as to what action, If any, the full COM
mittee, when it is present, will take
later.
Representative James A. Graham and
other Democratic members maintain
that a quorum was present despite the
fact that Senator Nelson, Republican,
chairman of the committee, had stat
e. In the meeting there was no
quorum.
NELSON REFUSES TO VOTE
During. the session no member had
raised the point of no quorum and
Representative James of Kentucky
contends the adoption of the resolu-
tion has the effect of expressing the
views of the majority.
When the committee met eight mem
bers were present, constituting quor-
um; but before the voting on the Mad
ison resolution was reached Senator
Sutherland of Utah and Representative
Mccall of Massachusetts, both Repub-
licans, withdrew.
Chairman Nelson remained, but took
no part in the voting.
The Republicans assert that the
withdrawal of Messrs. Sutherland and
Mccall broke the quorum. In TINS
view, Representative Madison joins.
The resolution adopted today Is be-
lieVed to be along the line of the min
ority report which is being prepared
for presentation, possibly at the meet
ing Friday.
cided their report should be made pub
lie at the meeting here, along with the
majority and given to the public at
once Mr.. Madison is preparing an
independent minority report, which 1t
is said, will sustain the course OF
Clifford Pinchot.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED
The resolution offered by Mr.. Madi-
son and adopted, is as follows:
First-That the charges made by l..
r. GlaviJ against Secretary Ballinger
should be sustained that in the mat
ter of the disposition of the Cunning
ham coal lands, Mr. Ballinger was not
a faithful trustee of the interests of
the people, and did not perform his
duty in such manner as to properly
protect such interests.
Second-That the charges made by
Mr.. Pinchot should be sustained; that
Mr.. BaIlingers course in the adminis-
tration of the interior department has
been characterized by a lack of 1del-
ity to the public interests; that this
has been shown in his treatment of the
Cunningham coal claims, the restora-
tion of the water power sites to entry
without intention to reWithdraW, ana
in his administration of the reclama-
tion service the latter resulting in un-
necessary humiliation to the director
and tending toward the disintegration
of the service. He has not shown
himself to be that character of friend
to the policy of conservation of our
natural resources that the man should
be who holds the post of secretary or
the interior in our government, and
that he should no longer be retained
in that office.
Amendments offered by Mr.. James,
providing for the presentation of the
committee findings at this session,
were adopted.
Those voting to adopt the foregoing,
along with the amendments We're the
following Democratic representatives.:
Ollie M. James of Kentucky, James
M. Graham of Illinois, Senator'S
Fletcher of Florida, and Purcell OF
North Dakota, and the Republican in
surgent Mr.. Madison of Kansas.
CUNNINGHAM CLAIMS FIGURE
The matter of the Cunningham
claims figured extensively in the hear
ings held in washington at which
CLAWS, the discharged chief of the field
division of the general land office, was
a witness.
The charge against Secretary Bal
linger with respect to the Cunningham
claims were made by Mr.. CLAWS.
Mr.. Pinchot's charges dealt largely
with the question of western water
power sites.
When the committee met this morn
ing those present were: Senators Nell
son, Sutherland and Representatives
Mccall and Madison, Republicans, and
Senators Purcell, Fletcher and Repre-
sentatives James and Graham, Demo-
Gratis.
Word was received that Represen-
tative DENLY, Republican, would be
here tomorrow, that Representative
Olmstead. Republican. who is in
Maine, would arrive Friday, and that
Senator Root, Republican, of New
York. might also be here Friday or
Saturday Senator Frank p. Flint.
Republican, of California, is abroad
and is not expected for some time.
The Democratic members were de-
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