The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-18

"It is an unclean, malicious, and
studied lie," said Secretary Ballin-
ger, last night, in regard to the
charge of Representative Hitch
cock, made before a committee Of
the House yesterday, that the posi-
ton of special Inspector of offices
was created in order that Jack Bal
linger might return home to Seattle
at the expense Of the government.
I'm the first place, Jack Ballinger
is not my nephew, but a cousin, sew
eral times removed, added the Sec
retary, "and in the second place I
had retired from the position of
Commissioner of the General Land
Office and been relieved of all du-
ties when he left Washington"
Alleged Misuse of Funds.
Representative Hitchcock made specific
charges Of extravaganza and favoritism
in the Land Office during the BalIinger
regime. and he used the case Of young
BaIIinger as a striking example of al
legged misuse of appropriations.
There is just enough trsth in what
the Representative from Nebraska said
TO hang a story on" explained Secretary
Balinger. when 1 was appointed to the
position of Commissioner Of the General
Land Office by President Roosevelt with
the understanding that the Office was TO
be reorganized. / was not personally ac-
quainted with any officers or clerks in the
Land Office, and desired 10 have as d
confidential clerk or secretary some one
whom I knew. J. II. BaIlinger was ap-
pointed to an excepted position under an
Executive order issued by President
Roosevelt, so he might serve as my con-
hdendal secretary.
The alleged charge that Law Clerk
Wright was denoted 10 make room for
Mir. Ballinger is false. The reduction in
question was made in connection with
the reorganization Of. the law board. and
designed to obtain a more active man for
the arduous duties attached to that po-
siuon Judge Wright, through advanced
age, he was nearly eighty years old, and
falling health. having become physically
disqualified to perform his duties
Received Much Consideration.
j. II. BaIlinger was not appointed to
the position held by Judge Wright. nor
was he ever a member of the board of
law review. To the contrary, the va
cancy. caused by Judge Wright's demo
tioH was fIled by the appointment of
Judge Gray, then chief OF a division.
Judge Wright and his family received the
utmost consideration at my hands.
Mr.. Ballinger never served as an in
speCtor OF the General Land Office. on
July 9, 1908, he was detailed to field duty
to inspect local land offices. and served
under that detail until September Il. 1905
when he resigned, Mr.. BaIlinger's detail
end service in the field began four months
blLrl 1 ltlL llt UliiJt Oh commissioner
The charge that the erection of a
certain large brick chimney for a land
Office at considerable expense It is as
sumed. relates TO the construction of 2
new stack for the heating apparatus for
the Interior Department buildings. The
allegation that this stack was paid for
without warrant of law and out of the
S1.060000 appropriation for protecting the
public lands IS ridiculously false. for II
was erected pursuant to a specific appro-
priation made for that purpose by Con-
gress in the act Of August 8. 1903.
Congress Was COgnIzant,
The allegation that improper use of
the 100000 appropriation occurred In the
employment of eighty additional clerks
IS equally ridiculous. because the appro-
pTiatiOn for protecting public lands (act
Of March 1. 1909. appropriated g, l,0O0.e55 to
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