The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-05

city of Seattle, Wash, and his admin
istration 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 exceptional
ability. He did not seek that office.
He accepted his present position only
upon the earnest solicitation of the
president. He did not seek it. It meant
nothing to him but hard work and
poor pay. He gave up a large and
lucrative law practice simply at the cal
of patriotism duty. Is it possible that
he at once became the scoundrel and
arch enemy of the people that he has
been depicted in the public press?
| cannot believe it. If he has used his
high office to advance special interests,
il he has sacrificed the people for pri-
vate 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 it's public SER
wants may be restored and strengthen
ed and the animus of the attacks dis
closed.
Conservation of Resources.
Much has been said regarding his
views on the conservation of our nat
ural resources. This I shall not dis
be shown that his purposes and OBJ
! jects are substantially the same as
those of the most radical conservation
ist and the main difference Is Dut one
of methods. Assuredly there is room
for an honest difference of opinion as
to how our great natural resources
can be conserved. l may agree with
some of the views of those VINO cr1tl-
else the policies, the methods and pro-
posals of the secretary, but that he IS
| honest and patriotic in his views have
| not the slightest doubt. One thing Is
sure we have had several years OF
| talk about conservation, we nave nao
| platitude piled upon platltude IN the
most dramatic way but no specific or
detailed plans for conservation have
been presented.
Has Been Specific.
| 1.-THE present secretary of the inter-
| ior instead of drawing Offering gem
eralities has made specific recon-
mendations regarding all the 1mpor-
| tant conservation problems so lar as
thew come within the jurisdiction of
his department and has prepared and
submitted 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 the repeal of the. timber
and stone laws and the disposal of the
| timber separate from the SOIL. he
| recommends that coal deposits be sepa-
e-AAS-
| that the coal be disposed of separate
from the land by sale or lease. He
| recommends legislation to prevent the
| acquisition of power sites on the pup
| lie domain by private persons or cor
! porationS with the view of monopo-
| lizing or adversely controlling them
against public interest. He has with
| drawn all locations known to possess
power possibilities on unappropf1ateo
/ lands outside of national forests over
| n ioI, r.
ton and he recommends that congress
pass a measure authorizing the ciassl-
fication of lands capable of being used
for water power development and tc
( permit of their disposal through the
interior department upon substantially
the following conditions"
RalIinger's Recommendations.
Mr.. Jones then gave a synopsis OF
seven of the most important recon-
| nendations made by Mr.. Ballinger
and continuing his remarks, said:
/ CONSCIOUS of the purity of his mo-
tives and the rtctitude of his intentions
the secretary of the interior welcomes
this investigation. I have presented
the resolution calling for this investiga-
ton, not in his behalf or in antagonism
to any other official of the govern
ment, but in the interests of good adj
ministration and in order that the peo-
pie may know the facts of this de-
plorable controversy and for the Judg-
ment thereon of an impartial body.
/ This resolution has been drawn di-
recting the committee to investigate
along certain and specific lines ano
then authority is given to it to make
any further investigation that it MAY
deem desirable. The intention is tt
secure the broadcast and most thorough
investigation. If the resolution can bt
made broader and more rigid, and {
more thorough investigation secured
it should be done and will be welcomed
by the secretary. He wants no white
wash; he wants no partial investiga
ton; he wants it rigid, thorough, com
pIete and conducted without fear OF
favor"