The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-07
PURE AS SNOW.
Secretary Ballinger Is Ex0ner-
ated From Every Charge
Made by CLAWS and PinchOt
Before the Committee.
WAS DUE TO ANIMOSITY
Majority Report Signed by ALI
Republicans But Madison.
Advocates Withdrawal of the
Alaska Coal Lands.
WAS DUE TO ANIMOSITY

Washington. Dec. 7.-Vindicating Sec
retary of the Interior Ballinger upon all
the charges brought against him. and
condemning his accusers as having
been inspired by a deep feeling of ami
mostly built upon a supposed difference
In policy respecting conservation, a ma
]orlty or the congressional committee
which Investigated the so-called Bal
ilnger-P1nchot cahe submitted its re-
port to congress.
After stating that the evidence pre-
Sented related in the main to charges
or various kinds against Mr.. Ballinger
and that these came chiefly from two
sources-L. R. CLAWS and Clifford Pin
chot-the majority announced the fol-
lowing conclusions:
The evidence has wholly failed to
make out case. Neither any fact
proved nor all the facts put together
exhibit Mr. Ballinger as being anything
but competent and honorable gentle
man, honestly and faithfully perform
ing the duties of his high office with
an eye single to the public interest"
The report was signed by Senators
Knute Nelson, chairman; Frank P.
Flint, George Sutherland and FIihu
Root. and Representatives Samuel w.
Mccall of Massachusetts, vice chair
man; Marlin E. Olmsted, of Pennsyl-
Vania. and Edwin DENLY, of Michigan,
all Republicans.
members, Senators D. u. Fletcher and
William E. Purcell and Representatives
Ollie M. James, of Kentucky, and James
M. Graham, of Illinois together with
representative Edmund H. Madison, OF
Kansas, progressive Republican put out
another report which they maintained
to be the majority opinion, condernning
the conduct of Mr.. Ballinger as secre-
tary of the interior.
This report was made public follow
/ n fNf& l.
neapolis last Septembe which was not
attended by some of the Republicans
who now have exonerated Mr.. Ballinger,
and, therefore, the natural minority be-
came a majority and the Republicans
who We're present. with the exception of
Mr.. Madison, withdrew and broke the
quorum. The members who now sign
the majority report formulated their
conclusions at a recent series of meet
| ings.
In speaking of the "animosity''
created by differences respecting the
conservation of natural resources, the
majority of the committee said that the
accusers evidently had this policy deep
ly at heart and were evidently dis
posed to take most unfavorabIe view
of the character and motives of anyone
whom they supposed to be opposed to
their views. They thus came to regard
Mr.. Bahinger with suspicion and to re-
gard the most natural and innocent
acts occurring in the ordinary course
of department administration as fur
nishing evidence of some sinister pur-
pose"
Specific Findings.
The report makes the following spe-
cific findings:
THAT the charges and insinuations
against Secretary Ballinger in regard
! to the Cunningham coal land entries
or other coal land claims in Alaska
are not justified and his conduct in
respect thereto is not justly censur-
able.
THAT he was fully justified in re-
voking the Indian cooperative agree
ment.
That the restorations of water
| power sites by Secretary Ballinger
were made in good faith and not in
enmity to the government, and that
no injury appears to have been done
to the government and the cause of
conservation by either the restora-
! tions or Withdrawals.
THAT in view of the opinion of the
attorney general, he was justified in
abandoning the use of the soca1led
water users cooperative certificates in
connection with the reclamation of
arid lands.
''That the administration of the
reclamation law presented features
justly subject to criticism. No unfair
criticism or improper conduct on
Secretary Ballinger's part has been
shown nor any action by him not
within the sound discretion of the
head of the. interior department In
the faithful performance of his duty.
! 'sThat he is not an enemy of, nor
| policy of conservation, and that no
ground whatever has been shown
justifying the opinion that he is not
faithful and efficient public officer
After setting forth the fact that the
/ entire known coal fields of Alaska, COW
ering more than 100000 acres, are still
in government ownership, the report
takes up the bearing upon the strife
between Secretary Ballinger and other
officials Of the government, including
several of his subordinates, and Mr.
Pinchot, who was deposed as govern
ment forester. The report then says:
your committee finds that the in
terests of the people, as owners of the
Alaskan coal fields, are not threatened
or endangered under existing condi-
/ tons"
Cunningham Claims.
Speaking of the Cunningham claims
4 the committee finds that it would be
| improper for it to pass upon the merits
of these claims and thus prejudge then
| while they are pending.
IF they are regular" the report says
patents should be allowed. If they are
fraudulent, the claims should be can
celled The claimants are entitled te
an impartial Judgment upon theil
rights in the premises.
It is said the committee found nS
reason to doubt that the commissions
of the general land office, with an ap
peal to the secretary of the interior
would decide these cases fairly and i'm
partially. but because of the imputa-
tions heaped upon them 1T is recon-
mended that a law be enacted for th'
transfer of these and any other case
involving claims to Alaskan coal land
to an appropriate court for a hearin:
and a decision. Concerning the future o
Alaskan coal lands, the report make
a definite recommendation in favor o