The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-12-10
SECRETARY BALLINGER vINDI.
GATED

FInuicatlng secretary OF the lnterloi
BalhIger upon all the charges brought
against him, and condemning his ac-
cusers as having been inspired by a
deep feeling of animosity quilt upon a
supposed difference in policy respect
ing conservation, a majority of the
congressional committee which investi-
gated the so-called Ballinger-Pinchot
case has submitted its report to con
gress.
After stating that the evidence pre-,
scented related in the main to charges
of various kinds against Mr.. Ballinger,
and that these came chiefly from two
sources-L. X. CLAWS and Clifford Pin.
chot-the majority announced the fol
lowing conclusions:
The evidence has wholly failed to
make out a case. Neither any fact
proved nor all the facts put together
exhibit Mr.. Ballinger as being any
thing but a competent and honorable
gentleman, honestly and faithfully per-
forming the duties OF his high office
with an eye single to the public IN
terest.
The report was signed by Senators
Knute Nelson, chairman; Frank +.
Flint, George Sutherland and Elihu
Root, and Representatives Samuel W.
Mccall, OF Massachusetts, vice chair
man; Marlin +. Oimstead, OF Pennsyl-
vania, and Edwin DENLY, OF Michigan,
all Republicans.
In speaking Of the animosity created
by differences respecting the conser-
walton OF natural resources, the major
ity OF the committee said that the ac-
cusers evidently had this policy deep
ly at heart and were ..evldently DIS
posed to take a most unfavorable view
of the character and motives OF anyone
whom they supposed to be opposed 10
their views. lhey thus came to re-
gard Mr.. Balllnger with suspicion n
to regard the most natural and limo
cent acts occurring In the ordinary
course OF department administration
furnishing evidence OF some SINISTER
purpose
The report makes the following
SPECIFIC findings:
"rhat the charges and ~insinuations
against Secretary Baiinger IN regard
to the Cunningham coal land ensries
or other coal land claims IN Alaska are
not justihed and ms conduct In re-
spect thereto is not justly censuraDIe.
"That ne was tully Justihed Ia re-
the INDIAN cooperative agree
"Ihat the RESERVATIONS OF water
power sites Ivy secretary Balllnger
in good lalth and not Ii
to the government, and that
no INJURY appears to nave been done
to the government anu tne cause or
conservation by either the RESERVATIONS
or Withdrawals.
"That III view OF the opinion OF the
attorney general, ne was Justlned In
the use Oh the so-caIied
users cooperative ~certincates
in connection with the Oh
arid Lands.
"rhat the administration OF the re-
law presented features just
~ subject to criticism. NO unfair
or improper ON sec
Rotary BaIAnger's part Las been SHOWN
any action ny nim not within the
sound discretion Oh the mead Oh the IN
terror department in the faithful per
formance OF ms duty.
"Ihat he IL not an enemy OF or hos
tile to a reasonable and judicial policy
OF conservation and that no ground
whatever has been shown justiying
the opinion that he is not a faithful
and efficient oticer.'
After setting forth that the entire
known coal fields OF Alaska, covering
more than eight million acres, are still
in government ownership, the report
takes up the bearing upon the strife
between Secretary Ballinger and other
OF the government, including
OF his subordinates, and Mr..
Pinchot, who was deposed as govern
ment forester. The report then says:
"Your committee linda that the IN,
terests OF the people as owners OF the
Alaskan coal fields are not threatened
or endangered under existing condi-
kiona "