The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-12-10
0HORETARY WAS HONEST AND
FAITHFUL I'M ALL ACTS,
CoNGRESSMEN SAY.
MAJORITY REPORT OF COMMITTEE
Senator Nelson and Colleagues Sub.
scribe to Complete Indication.
Opinion Disputes the Nj.
nority Decision.

washington, Dec. 8.--Vindicati ting
Secretary of the Interior Ballinger up
on all the charges brought against him
and condemning his accusers as hay
ing been inspired by deep feeling Of
ference in policy respecting conserva.
ton, a majority of the congressional
committee which Investigated the So
called Ballinger.Pinchot case submit.
ted it's report to congress.
Democrats Submit Report.
The conclusions Of the Republicans
we're submitted to the Democrats at
q meeting of the full committee this
morning, and Senator Nelson, chair
man, put the majority report to vote.
The Democratic members, with Repre-.
sentative Madison, voted against it.
After stating that the evidence pre-
scented related in the main to charges
Of various kinds against Mr.. Ballinger
and that these came chiefly from two
sources, l.. r. CLAWS and Clifford Pin
chot, the majority announced the fol
lowing conclusion:
THE evidence has wholly failed TO
make out case. Neither any fact
proved, nor all the facts put together.
exhibit Mr.. Ballinger as being any.
thing but competent and honorable
gentleman. honestly and faithfully per-
forming the duties Of his high office
with an eye to the public interests.
Republicans Sign Report.
The report was signed by Senators
Knute Nelson, chairman, Frank G.
Flint. George Sutherland and Elihu
Root, and Representative Samuel w.
Mccall Of Massachusetts, vice chair
man, Martin e. Olmsted Of Pennsyl-
vania and Edwin DENLY of Michigan,
all Republicans.
Prejudice 10 Charged.
In speaking of the luminosity"
created by differences respecting the
conservation of natural resources, the
majority Of the committee said that
the accusers evidently had this policy
deeply at heart and were evidently
view of the character and motives of
anyone whom they supposed to be op
posed TO their views. They thus came
to regard Mr.. Ballinger with suspicion
and to regard the most natural and
innocent acts occurring in the ordi.
nary course of department administra.
ton as furnishing evidence of some
sinister purpose"
The report makes the following spe-
cific findings: "That the charges and
insinuations against Secretary Bal
linger in regard to the Cunningham
coal land entries or other coal land
claims in Alaska are not justified and
his conduct in respect thereto is not
Justly censurable.
Says He Acted in Good Faith.
THAT the RESERVATIONS Of water
power 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 the cause of con.
servation by either the RESERVATIONS or
Withdrawals.
| THAT in view of the opinion OF the
attorney general he was justified in
abandoning the use Of the so-calle,l
water users cooperative certificates
in connection with the reclamation OF
arid lands.
THAT the administration of the re-
clamation law presented features just
1y subject TO criticism. No unfair
criticism or improper conduct on Sec.
rotary Ballinger's part has been shown
nor any action by him not within the
sound discretion Of the head Of the
interior department in the faithful
performance Of his duty
THAT he is not an enemy Of nor
hostile to reasonable and judicious
policy of conservation and that no
ground whatever has been shown
justifying the opinion that he is not
faithful and efficient public officer
Alaska 10 Declared Safe.
| After setting forth the fact that the
entire known coal fields Of Alaska
covering more than 100000 acres, is
still in government ownership, the re
strife between Secretary Ballingel
port takes up the bearing upon the
and other officials of the government
including several of his subordinates
and Mr.. Pinchot, who was deposed as
government forester. The report then
., says:
"Your committee finds that tho In
terests OF the people as owners OF the
Alaskan coal fields are not threatened
or endangered under existing condi
tions."
Interest in congress centered in the
reporting to both houses of the find
ings of the special Joint committee
which for eleven months has busieC
itself with the charges made against
Richard A. Ballinger. secretary Of the
interior. Three reports we're filed
majority report clearing the cabine
officer OF all the charges, a minority
finding condemnation of him and ar
individual report by Representative
Madison, Republican of Kansas, also
cOndemnatory.
The senate ordered 10000 copies o
the reports printed and no discussion