Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-01-06
Resolutions for Joint Committee to
Investigate Secretary Ballinger's
Acts Are Introduced.
SIX MEN FROM EACH HOUSE
Resolutions Will Probably Be Passed
Within Few Days.
HOUSE PASSES THE MANN BILL
Provides for Reorganization of Canal
Zone Government.
INQUIRY INTO COST OF LIVING
Resolutions Arc introduced In the
Senate by Mcssrs. EIkins ana
Crawford for an Investi-
RatiOn.
Resolutions Will Probably Be Passed
Within Few Days.
HOUSE PASSES THE MANN BILL
Provides for Reorganization of Canal
Zone Government.
INQUIRY INTO COST OF LIVING

WASHINGTON, Ja7. 5.-Res,lutIons lrok-
Ing to the investigation OF the general
land office and tho forest service growing
out of the differences between Secretary
falllnger and Chief Forester Pinchot were
8ptroduced today in both houses OF con-
= ress and, while neither was acted upon.
Nt is understood they will be adopted by
both houses within the next few days, and
that the inquiry will begin soon
The house devoted the entire day to
the discussion of Representative Mann's
bill, providing for a reorganization of the
government Of the Panama canal zone and
tinaiiy passed il. The bill places the en-
tire administration in the hands of the
president and abollshes the present canal
commission.
Resolutions were introduced by Senators
Elkins and Crawford both looking toward
an investigation of the high prices of liy-
ing.
Resolutions Are Introduced.
Investigation of the Balinger- -Pinchot
controversy is ordered by jointresolution
today introduced in the senate by Mr..
Jones, and in the house by Mr.. Humphrey
both of Washington. AS heretofore an
nounced, the provision is for the broadest
kind Of public inquiry the resolution being
Of the character requiring the signature
force of general law.
A committee of twelve is to be appointed
to conduct the investigation, six of whom
shall be designated by Vice President Sher-
man and six by Speaker Cannon. Unques-
tlonably Senator Nelson, chairman of the
senate committee on public lands will head
the list of senator's and this, doubtless,
will result in his selection as chairman of
the joint committee. The scope of the
investigation is outlined as follows
THE committee is hereby empowered
and directed to mako thorough and COM
plete investigation of the administration
and conduct of the Interior department
its several bureaus officers ana employees
and OF the bureau OF forestry in the Agri-
cultural department its officers and en-
ployes, touching or relating to the reclama-
tion, conservation, management and dis
posal 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 authorized and en-
powered to make any further investigation
touching said department, its bureaus, Of
ficers or employees, and of said bureau of
forestry, its officers or employees, as it
may deem desirable"
Compel Attendance of Witnesses.
congress and in recesses. to require the
attendance Of witnesses and the production
of papers, usual to congressional inquiries,
is granted by the resolution. 1t is provided
further that any person refusing to obey
the process of the committee or to answer
any question propounded shall be deemed
guilty of contempt, and jurisdiction is con.
ferred upon the court of appeals OF the
District of Columbia to try and deter
mine any 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 services of
able attorneys to take charge of the prob
ing so far the directing of questions is
concerned. 1t is the intention OF President
Taft 70. have the committee name some
5Sompetent attorney to conduct the case, and
~ is possible that both of the principals
40 the controversy may be represented by
n ounseI.
VT was agreed by all persons who have
given close attention to the Ballinger- PIN
chot' 'squabbe that the investigation should
be open to the public and this is ordered
by the resolution. One of the big rooms in
the new senate office building will be used
for this purpose.
Personnel of Committee.
Speculation is rife TO the personnel of
the committee to be named to make the
investigation. Many names have been con-
sidered, but no decision has been reached.
The indications are the following will be
named:
Standardization (Mnn.), Root IN. W,
Flint (CaL), Sutherland (Utah), republic
ans; Paynter (Ily.) and Clark (Ark) or
Hughes (COlo), democrats.
Members OF the House-Dalzell (Pa,). Nc
Call CMass), stephens CMinn), Martin
Is. D., republicans; Howard (Ga), Moon
tTenn), or Shirley (Ky), democrats.
There is some doubt about the appoint
ment Of Senator Flint but it is reasonably
certain the other republican members
named will be chosen. Senator Nelson will
be chairman.
In the house the resolution was referred
to the committee ON rules, but the senate
action was postponed until tomorrow.
Mr. Jones asked that the measure be
referred to the committee on public lands
but Senator Lodge requested a postpone
ment because OF its independence, and the
request was accepted to.
Jones Addresses House.
In presenting the resolution Mr. Jones
said:
The various departments and bureaus
OF the government are organized TO do it's
business in the interests of the people.
Every official is but the servant ana agent
OF the people 10 act for them under and
within the limits OF the law. The eff
cheney OF public service depends much
upon the orfldence of the people in the
honesty and integrity OF their servants
and agents.
1T Is a sad commentary upon the state
OF public opinion that the moment a man
! accepts a public office he becomes a scoun-
drel in the eyes Of many OF our people
and his previous life Of honesty and recti-
tude Is no warrant OF official integrity.