The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-01-08
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED OR.
DERiNG INVESTIGATION OF
PINcHoT CHARGES,
BY SEN. JONES OF WASHINGTON
knute Nelson Probably Will Head tho
lnquisitorial Body.-Commttee of
Twelve Will Inquire Into Affairs
OF Interior Department.

OF the BalllnEer-PlnChOt CONTROVERSY
Is ordered by joint resolution intro
duced in the senate by Senator Jones,
and in the house by Congressman
Humphrey, both of Washington.
The provision is for the broadcast
kind of public inquiry, the resolution
being of the character requiring the
signature of the president which gives
TO 1T all the force of general law.
committee Of IL is to be appoint.
ed to conduct the investigation, six Of
whom shall be designated by Vice,
President Sherman and six by Speaker
Cannon. Unquestionably Senator Mel,
son, chairman of the senate COMMITTEES
on public lands. will head the list Of
senators and this doubtless, will re.
suit in his selection az chairman OF
the Joint committee. The scope of the
investigation is outlined as follows:
The committee is hereby en-
powered and directed to make q
thorough and complete investiga-
ton Of the administration and con-
duct Of the interior department,
Its several bureaus, officers and
employees. and of the bureau of
forestry in the agricultural depart
ment. Its officers and employees.
touching or relating to the re-
clamation. conservation. manage
meN and disposal Of the public
lands of the United States, or any
lands held in trust by the United
States for any purpose. including
all the natural resources Of such
lands, and said committee is au-
thori1ed and empowered to make
any further investigation touching
said department.. its bureaus, Off
GERS or employees, and of said bu.
reau Of forestry, it's officers or
employees as it may deem desir.
able
Usual Authority 10 Given.
The authority to sit during sessions
of congress and in recesses, to require
the attendance of witnesses and tho
production Of papers usual to congress
sional inquiries Is granted by the reso-
luton. 1t is provided further that
any person refusing to obey the pro-
cess Of the committee or to answer
any question propounded shall be
deemed guilty of contempt and juris-
diction is conferred upon the court Of
appeals Of the District of Columbia to
try and determine any such charges Of
contempt.
Employment of assistance. legal or
otherwise" is specifically authorized
This provision is for the purpose of
enabling the committee to procure the
81 oh o%{ IN ALL
charge Of the probing, SO far as the
directing of questions is concerned.
Senator Jones Defends BallInqer.
In presenting the resolution Senator
Jones said:
ut is sad commentary upon ths
state of public opinion that the mo-
ment man accepts a public Office he
becomes a scOundrel in the eyes OF
many Of our people and his previous
life of honesty and rectitude is no
warrant Of official integrity. His acts
are mlsconstrued and his motives
questioned Insinuation and innuen-
does are freely made under the guiss
of the public welfare but in reality to
foster some private interest Popular
VleWb dTc ldRCu advantage Vi " Ulb.
credit an official who after investigat-
ing all phases Of a subject. may reach
decision at variance with some pri-
vate interest.
The press and magazines of the
country for several months have been
filled with charges against the present
secretary of the interior and his con-
charges of the Office he holds. These
charges range from petty insinuations
and innuendoes to direct charges of
malfcasance and misconduct in Office
which, If true, show that he has most
unworthily discharged his trust. A
moments thought should cause an
honest and fair-minded man to hest.
tate to accept such charges against
man whose whole life heretofore has
been one OF the highest rectitude and
against whom no dishonorable charge
has ever been made in either private
or public life.