Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-07
Republicans on lnvestigat-
ing Committee "Vin-
dicate" Him.
EVERY ACT is UPHELD
PinChot Blistered by Sarcastic
Reference and CLAWS Is
Openly Denounced.

Washington, Dec. 7.-The majority
report CT the BaIiinger-Pinchot, inVes-
tieatlrg committee was submitted to
both houses of congress this afternoon.
At the same time the independent re-
ports of the democratic members of
the committee and of Representative
Madison, of Kansas, also were submit
ted.
HELD 4 MEETING.
Conclusions of the republicans were
Rubnitted to the democrats at meet
Ing of the full committee this morning.
All he republican members except
Madison signed the report. Senator
Nelson, chairman, put the majority re-
port to a vote. The democratic mem
bers and Madison voted against it,
Washington. Dec = Vindicating
Secretary Baliinger upon all charges
brought against him. and Condemning
his accusers as having been inspired
by a deep feeling of animosiJy built
upon supposed Fence in policy re,
specting conse bn. the majority Of
the congressiol bmmittec which in
today submitte .repor5 to congress.
Say No Case az Made Out.
The majority of the committee de
clares the evidence wholly failed TO
make out case. and that Ballngor is
"a competent and honorable gentle
man, honestly and faithfully perform
ing the duties of his Office with an eye
70 r,,,bIic irr
Pinchot Over-2eaIo,Is Intimated.
The committee says Ballinger's ac-
cusers evidently had the conservation
of natural resources deeply at heart
and were evidently disposed to take
most unfavorable view of the charac ctcr
and motives of whomever they suppOs-
ed opposed their views. This, the com
mittee thinks, caused the accusers to
regard with suspicion the most natural
and innocent acts of Balliuger in the
ordinary course of the department :
administration.
Alaskan Decisions Upheld.
The committee finds the interests Of
the people as owners of the Alaskan
coal fields are not threatened or en-
dangered under present conditions.
The expression of an opinion in the
Cunningham claims is withheld be-
cause they are still pending. The COM
mittee believes the commissioner gen
eral of the land Office will divide these
claims fairly and impartially. The
recommendation is made a law be en-
acted for the transfer of these and
similar claims to an appropriate court
for hearing and decision. The report
also favors the leasing system for the
Alaskan coal fields. and that steps be
taken TO prevent these lands being
monCpOlized for speculative purposes.
CLAWS Gets Scoring.
CLAWS had ample time and abundant
assistance to make the field examina-
tons he had demanded. and he was
grossly remiss in his duty in not hav-
.ng the examination made. says the re-
port. The committee declares Gar
fields blanket Withdrawals of public
lands were made after he ascertained
Taft. Also. that Ballinger's withdraw w
ais and restorations were made after
careful examinations and in good faith.
Only Republicans Sign.
A number of other points are con-
sidered by the committee. and in every
instance where Ballinger acted his
course is approved. The report is
signed by Senators Nelson, Flint. Suth-
erland and Root. and Representatives
Mccall, Olmsted and DENLY, all repub-
licans.
Specific Findings.
The majority report makes the fol
lowing specific findings:
That the charges and insinua-
tions against Ballinger in regard
to the Cunningham coal land en-
tries or other coal land claims in
Alaska are not justified and his
conduct in respect thereto is not
justly censurable
That he was fully justified in
revOking the Indian cooperative
agreement.
Made In Good Faith.
That the restorations of water
power sites by Ballinger were
made in good faith and not in en-
nifty to the government and that
no injury appears to have been
done the government and the
cau3e of conservation by either
the restoration or the Withdrawals.
Tlat. in view of the opinion of
the attorney general. he was justi-
fed in bandoning the use of the
sa-called water users cooperative
certificates in connection with the
reclamation of arid lands.
Was Not Unfair.
Inat this administration Of the