Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-09-11
TWO REPORTS ON BALLlNCER
Democratic Members Of Committee
Give Out Opinion.
DEMAND HE BE ASKED TO QUIT
Join I'm n Lengthy Discussion of Evil
dence ut the Recent Hearing
Representative Madison FILES
Opinion of HIS own.

the trust reposed In him secretary OF
the interior, that he is not deserving OF
public confidence and that he should be
asked by the proper authorities TO resign
his office"
The foregoing sums up the findings OF the
four democratic members of the Ballinger-
Pinchot congressional investigating com
nittee. which were made public late yes
terday.
The republican members issued report
An independent report was given out by
Mr.. Madison, the insurgent republican from
Kansas, which declares also that Mr.. Bal
linger ;'should not be retained, that he was
an unfaithful trustee OF the peoples in
terests, an enemy OF conservation" and
that the charges Of clifford Pinchot should
be sustained
These findings will be printed and filed
with congress.
Tho decision Of the four democratic mem
bers and Mr.. Madison to make the reports
public followed a session which was IN
usual, three republican members, Senator
Sutherland Of Utah and Representatives
Mccall of Massachusetts and DENLY OF
Michigan. refusing to attend the meeting.
FINALLY the chairman Of the committee,
himself, Senator Nelson Of Minnesota lett
the committee room and failed 10 return
Chairman Nelson gave notice that meet
ing would be held in Chicago on next Iues-
dav. The democratic members adjourned TO
meet again in Washington on December D.
Representative Ollie NJ James of Ken
lucky, one of the democratic members, an
nounced that all the democrats would re-
fuse to attend the meeting of which senator
Nelson has given notice. The republicans
viii then be in the same position that the
democratic members and Mr.. Nelson found
themselves today.
Democratic Findings.
Summarized, the democratic findings de-
clare that the evidence shows:
THAT there was no conspiracy against
Mr.. Ballinger.
"That clifford Pinchot and L. r. CLAWS
we're faithful trustees of the peoples in
terests
THAT Mr.. Ballinger's conduct on certain
occasions was intended to and did have the
effect of deceiving the president
THAT Mr.. Ballingers action in having
clear listed the so-called Cunningham
Alaskan coal lands and ordering them pat
ented showed bad faith.
THAT he advocated bill to validate
Alaskan coal claims alleged to be fraudu-
lent.
THAT his action in acting as attorney in
cases pending in the land office while he
was commissioner was reprehenslbie.
THAT he helped to force the Cunningham
coal claims to hearing before the gov
eminent was ready to proceed.
THAT he encouraged characterization in
the reclamation service and condoued i'm
proper official conduct in that connec-
ton"
Numerous official acts of Mr.. BalinEer
are attacked. High praise lie given Gif-
ford Pinchot, former chief forester, and L.
r. CLAWS, former chief OF field division
of the general land office.
MadisOn's Conclusions.
Mr.. Madison's conclusions are:
"rhat the charges of Messra CLAWS and
Plnchot should be sustained"
"That he has been unfaithful TO the pub
lie interests"
..rhat in the matter Of tho Cunningham
coal lands he was not faithful trustee OF
the peoples interests"
That with regard to the reclamation
\ service he has taken action tending to-
9 Wards its disintegration."
A resolution adopted by the democrats
and Mr.. Madison provided for publication
OF the findings. When Senator Nelson LEFT
the committee room Senator Fletcher was
made chairman pro tenn and members pro
ceeded with their work.
THE findings of the democrats and Mr.
Madison also were filed with the secretary
OF the committee. Mr.. Madison's repor
also was filed with Mr.. Sleman
Reasons for Not Attending.
Senator Sutherland and Representative
Mccall and DENLY, when summoned to ap
pear at the committee room, made the fol
lowing reply:
In view of the refusal OF the minority o.
the committee on Wednesday to postpon,
action until the members of the committed
i known TO be coming could arrive at Mime
apolis, and their evident purpose to attemp
TO make the action of the minority the Of
fetal action of the committee without con
sideration and their refusal to discuss thu
evidence at the former meeting; and In view
of the fact that at the former meeting the!
promulgated to the public their decision o.
the case which had validity whateve
as official action anu yet sh 70
said minority were concerned, we insis
upon an opportunity for the full member
ship OF the committee to decide the cas-
which was committed to them by law and w
/ must therefore decline the invitation OF tn
gentlemen assembled to meet with then
today.
Reason for Immediate Report.
Secretary Sleman OF Washington. D. c.
remained in the committee room. Senate
. Fletcher Of Florida was made chairman
pro tenn. The resolution Offered by Senate
Purcell of North Dakota was then adopte,
by the five members 1t follows:
whereas, This committee, pursuant TO ad
iOuTnmCnt, met At ~ O'Clock this day witt
Chairman Nelson in the chair and six mem
bers present, including the chairman. an,
Whereas, There are three other member
of the committee, to Wit; Senator Surher
land and Representatives Mccall and Denb
i'm tine city and In the building in whic
the committee is meeting, and
Whereas, All possible effort has bee
made without effect 10 induce said mem
beers 10 attend the sessions of the commit
lee and
Whereas, The chairman withdrew fror
the committee room and failed and nes
lccted to return after more than fou
hours absence. ana has abandoned an
connection with the committee at thi
meeting and has arbitrarily, and withou
any authority under the resolution creat
ing the committee, vote of the con
mittee given notice of a meeting OF tn
committee in the distant city Of Chicago
on Tuesday, September IL, and is attempt
ing to force an adjournment to said city
now, therefore be II,
Resolved. That under such circums lance
Il is the duty OF those present to make II
ports to congress OF their findings in IN
matters submitted 20 the committee tina
all members of the committee be author
lied at any time before the converting
the next session of congress to prepare an
file such reports and findings as they q,
sire.
Mr. Graham then moved that the men
hers Of the committee he autborg1.5 a..