Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-06

years and mayor of the city Of Seat
tie, washington, and his administra.
| ton of that office has been a model for
his successors. He accepted the Office
| of commissioner of the general land
office at. the urgent solicitation Of
Secretary Garfield, who knew person
ally his sterling character and eXcep-
tional ability. He did not seek that
office. He accepted his present posi-
/ ton only upon the earnest solicitation
of the president He did not seek it.
! 1t meant nothing to him but hard
work and poor pay He gave UP a
large and lucrative law practice sim
ply at the call of patriotic duty. Is
| it possible that he at once became the
scoundrel and arch enemy of the peo-
pie that he has been depicted in the
! public press? | cannot believe it. If
he has used his high Office to advance
special interests; if he has sacrificed
the people for private or personal
gain, let it be shown. If, on the other
hand, the people have been deceived
and he has been unjustly accused
that should be shown not only that
justice may be done him but that the
confidence of the public in the hon
esty and integrity Of its public serv-
ants may be restored and strengthen
ed and the animus of the attacks dis
closed"
Holds Him Friend of Conservation.
Much has been said regarding his
views on the conservation of our ma
tural resources. This 1 shall not dis
cuss at this time. l believe that it will
be shown that his purposes and OBJ
Ijects are substantially the same as
IF 0Gt
list and the main difference is but one
| of methods. Assuredly there is room
for an honest difference of opinion as
| how our great natural resources can
| best be conserved. l may agree with
some of the views of those who criti-
else the policies the methods and pro-
posals of the secretary but that he is
honest and patriotic in his views L
| have not the slightest doubt. One thing
is sure, we have had several years of
talk about conservation. we have had
platitude piled upon platitude in the
most dramatic way but no specific or
| detailed plans for conservation have
been presented.
The present Secretary of the Inter
ior instead of drawing glittering gem
eralities has made specific recommen-
dations regarding all the important
conservation problems so far as they
come within the jurisdiction of his de-
mitted to the careful scrutiny of the
people and of congress legislation that
he considers necessary to effect the
objects so much desired by all. He
recommends that coal deposits be sep
arated from the title to the surface
and that the coal be disposed of separ-
ate from the land by sale or lease. He
recommends that the repeal of the
timber and stone laws and the disposal
of the timber separate from the soil.
He recomends coal deposits be sep
nrted from the title to the surface
acquisition of power sites on the pub
lie domain by private persons or cor
porations with the view of monopoliz-
ing or adversely controlling them
against public interest. He has with
drawn all locations known to possess
power possibilities on unappropriated
lands outside of national forests over
which his department has no jurisdic-
ton and he recommends that congress
pass a measure authorizing the clas-
sification of lands capable of being
used for water power development and
to permit of their disposal through the
Interior Department upon substan-
TALLY the following conditions"
Whitewash is not Wanted.
Mr.. Jones then gave a synopsis Of
seven of the most important recon-
nendations made by Mr.. Bnllinger,
land continuing his remarks, said
Conscious of the purity of his mo-
tives and the rectitude of his inten-
tons the Secretary of the Interior
welcomes this investigation, 1 have
presented the resolution calling for
this investigation, not in his behalf or
in antagonism to any other official of
the government, but in the interest Of
good administration and in order that
the people may know the facts of this
! deplorable controversy and for the
Judgment thereon of an impartial
body.
This resolution has been drawn di-
recting the committee to investigate
} along certin and specific lines and
| then authority is given to 1t to make
, any further investigation that it may
deem desirable. The intention is to Sc
cure the broadcast and most thorough
!. investigation If the resolution can be
made broader and more rigid, and a
more thorough investigation secured, 1t
/ should be done and will be welcomed
by the secretary He wants no white
wash; he wants no partial investiga-
tion, he wants it rigid thorough, COM
pete and conducted without fear or