The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-08
BALLTNGER WHITEWASHED
 BY COMMITTEE MAJORITY
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 ~~~~ of natural resources" the majority of the committee said that the accusers eyi- dently had this policy deeply at heart and were evidently disposed to take a most unfavorable view of the character and motives of anyone whom they sup posed to be opposed to their views. They thus came to regard MT. Balllnger with suspicion and to regard the most nat -ural and innocent acts occurring in the ordinary course of department admins tration as furnishing evidence of some sinister purpose"
 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 there to is not justly censurable.
 That he was fully justified in revok- ing the Indian cooperative agreement.
 That the reservations of waterpower 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 to the cause of conservation by either the restoratons or withdrawals.
 That in view of the opinion of the Attorney General he was justified in abandoning the use of the so-called wa tel users cooperative certificates in con neetion with the reclamation of arid lands.
 Reclamation Laws
 That the administration of the re- clamation law presented features just ly subject to criticism. No unfair crit icism or improper conduct on Secre- tary Ballingers part had been shown nor any action by him not within the sound discretion of the head of the interior department in the faithful per formance of his duty.
 That he is not an enemy of nor hostile to reasonable and judicial pol icy of conservation and that no ground whatever has been shown 1ustityins the opinion that he is not faithful and efficient public officer"
 After setting forth the fact that the entire known coal fields of Alaska covering more than S,000,000 acres, arc still in government ownership, the re- port takes up the question bearing upon strife between Secretary Ballinger and other officials of the government in cluding several of his subordinates ano MT. Pinchot, who was deposed S gov ernment forester. The report then says
 "Your committee finds that the in terest of the people as owners of tht Alaskan coal fields are not threatened or endangered under existing condl tions."
 Cunningham Claims
 Speaking of the Cunningham claims the committee finds that it would be improper for it to pass upon the merit. of these claims and thus prejudice then while they are pending. "1f they art regular" the report says, patent: should be allowed. If they are fran dulent, the claims should be cancelled The claimants are entitled to an i'm partial judge upon their rights in tn, premises"
 Concerning the future of Alaskan COR lands the report makes a definite rec ommendation in favor of the leasing system, which also was favored bS President Taft in his, message to Con gross. =
 The recommendation says "Ysul committee believes 1t would be the height of unwisdom to permit these great coal fields to be monopolized ol gathered into the private ownership of few for speculative purposes. A; they increase in value the increment should inure to the benefit of all the people To bring about this result and at the same time put an end to the un- reasonable condition now existing, youl committee recommends that the gov ernment refuse to sell the lands, but that retaining their ownership, il should grant leases at fair royalties for periods limited long enough and covering areas large enough to Justify the necessary investments upon sound business principals and thus secure the opening and operation of sufficient mines to meet the necessity of Alaskan consumption; afford relief from the present outrageous prices paid by con- sumers and at the same time afford some revenue to the government We recommend legislation to that end and that, pending such Legislation, the ex- isting withdrawal from entry of the Ala ska coal lands he made. .''-