The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-20
Secretary of the Interior Says
He Does Not Intend to
Resign.
DECLINES TO DISCUSS
POLITICAL SITUATION
He Is Met at the Station by
Sutherland, Spry and
Hull.

Richard A. Ballinger, secretary OF the
interior of the United States, the man
who has been under fire during the past
year and one half more than any other
man In public life, was In Salt Lake for
a few hours on Monday, Mr.. Baliinger
Is on his way TO Washington, called
thither by the president for series OF
caDInet meetings.
Mr. Ballinger is apparently worrying
not a bit over the Investigations and
charges with whic.. -.c has been connect
ed. He declares that he does not intend
10 resign from the cabinet and he con-
veys the impression that he will probably
remain q member OF the cabinet, hls op
ponents TO the contrary notwithstanding.
My visit to Salt Lake" said MIR. Bal =
linger, "ls merely incidental TO my re-
turn to Washington, The president has
called me TO Washington to attend n
series Of cabinet meetings. 1 am not adj
Yised as to the naLnre OF these meetings,
but / take II they arc merely for the
purpose OF discussing departmental work
While in Salt Lake. I am taking the
opportunity TO confer with the surveyor
general and the officers OF the United
States land department In this city. l
chief engineer OF the reclamation serv-
ice. I Will stop a day In Denver a.id
then go on to Washington.
Will Not Resign.
"The committee having charge OF the
investigation OF which I am the subject
has not yet made It's report and until 1,
does so II would be indiscreet and highly
improper for me TO discuss anything that
tne ,,f, CO committee hn or any part OF that COM
Have you any thought of resigning
Mr.. Ballinger?"
Just a Suggestion of a smile played
about the secretary s mouth Il have
been asked that question many times. "
he said and l have made my position
pretty clear, / have no intention of re-
signing. / am not made of that sort OF
The secretary declined to discuss poll
tics in any form. He said that he al
therefore declined to comment on the
Maine election and the insursent gains
throughout the country, He said that he
had read the report that Taft was to re-
tire In favor of Roosevelt, but the tone
OF his voice indicated that he didn't take
much stock in the report
Lunches at Alta Club.
Mr.. Ballnger arrived in Salt Lake at
30 O'Clock Monday afternoon from
Boise: He had Intended reaching here at
than TOUR hours late. He was met at
The station by United States Senator
George, Sutherland, Governor William
other federal officials. The members OF
the party Immediately went to the Alta
club. where an informal luncheon was
SclNcu IoT lnet!l. AL tne lUncDeOu were
Secretary Ballinger. Senator Sutherland.
governor Spry, Congressman Howell
Frank, Roberts and one or two others.
During the afternoon. Mr.. Ballinger
met with the officials of the federal Of
ices under his jurisdiction and discussed
IN general way the work OF the depart
ment In Utah. He left at o'clock FOR
Denver over the Rio Grande. He Will be
Joined Ell route by General Marshall who
Is now IN Colorado on reclamation work
Mr.. Ballinser will be the guest OF the
Denver Chamber OF Commerce at n
luncheon on Wednesday, AT the luncheon
Secretary BallinGer will speak on irri-
CATION and land withdra walls