New-York tribune., 1910-01-08
INSURGENTS WIN
VOTE FOR INQUIRY.
Sneaker Cannot Name Pm
chot-BaUinger Committee.
rrrom The Tribune Buresu.I


washington. Jan. Tn passing tne
Humphrey resolution providing for an IN
vestigation of the Baliinger-Ptnchot con-
troversy the insurgents and Democrats ao-
ninistered an unexpected defeat 10 the
House organization and Speaker Cannon
this afternoon. This defeat consisted of the
addition of an amendment to the resolution
taking from the Speaker the authority 10
appoint the House members of the investi-
eating committee and providing that these
members be elected by the House
Although II was known by the organiza-
ton leaders that the resolution would meet
with some resistance, IL was not expected
that such a bitter struggle would occur
For this reason some of the regulars were
not i'm their seats, while the insurgents
with a carefully prepared plan OF action,
had practically their entire strength ana
were backed by the solid Democratic MEM
hership. with the single exception of Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald. of New York.
The amendment was offered by one OF
the insurgent leaders, Representative Nor
ris, of Nebraska. early In the afternoon,
and when the vote came 10 was adopted,
l4s to l4s, Representatives Herbert Parsons
and Hamilton Fish, of New York. and But
Ter Ames. of Massachusetts. joined the in-
Mr.. Parsons contended that committee
elected by the House would command
greater confidence than one appointed by
the Speaker Mr.. Fish took similar view.
Twenty-three other Republicans voted with
the Democrats. They were Representatives
Cooper, Kopp, Lenroot. Morse and Nelson.
of Wisconsin, Davis Lindberg. Miller and
FOlstead. OF Minnesota; Good. Haugen.
Hubbard, Kendall, Pickett and Woods, OF
Iowa; Gronna, OF North Dakota; Norris
and Hinshaw. of Nebraska; Hayes, of
California; Polndexter. OF Washington;
MurdOck and Madison, OF Kansas. and
Lowering, of Massachusetts.
A number of amendments were offered,
the most important being that OF Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald. of New York, who
sought 10 have the investigation confined to-
the Interior Department and TO prevent the
committee from reviewing the actions of
Mr.. Pinchot. This was overwhelmingly de-
feated by vote of 223 to 65. Representa-
Tive Poindexter's amendment providing that
any person who becomes involved In the
investigation may appear before the COM
mittee with counsel was adopted without
opposition. while that of Representative
Cooper. OF Wisconsin, making II impossible
for any of the hearings TO be secret was
agreed TO by the Rules Committee. Several
other minor amendments were defeated. IL
is not improbable that the Senate viii OBJ
ject to the Poindexter amendment.
A day Of continuous debate preceded the
vote. Mr.. DalzeIl explained that the reso-
luton was without precedent IN the scope
and authority which IL allowed the COM
mittee. but this. he declared, was in order
that no person whose evidence was con-
sidered necessary might escape giving testi-
mony. Mr.. Fitzgerald complained that the
House lost much dignity by not appointing
a committee Of its own without seeking the
Presidents permission. He also declared
that Mr.. Pinchot should not be fnvesti-
gated, as he had made the charges against
the Interior Department and no charges
had been made against him.
Mr.. Hitchcock. of Nebraska, repeated In
part the speech he made some time ago at
tacking the Secretary OF the Interior. while
Mr. Martin. of Colorado. made a violent
attack on the forest reserve policy Of Mr..
Pinchot and insisted that his conduct
should be investigated.
Representatives Smith, of Iowa, and
Scott, OF Kansas. advocated the passage OF
the resolution without amendment. Repre-
sentatives Cooper. of Wisconsin: Garrett OF
Tennessee. and Underwood. OF Alabama,
favored the Norris amendment
The insHrgent leaders say they are not
interested In the personnel OF the COM
mittee and that their action to-day was
merely 10 take the power OF appointment
from the Speaker. The regulars, however,
accuse them of having joined with Demo
Gratis 20 select a partisan committee which
would exonerate Mr.. Pinchot. condemn Sec
retary Baflinger and embarrass President
Taft. Even II they desire to do this. it Is
not likely that they can succeed. for a
hurry call was sent out tonight 10 all alb
sent Republicans SO that they may be on