Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-01-18
He Also Alleged Irregularities in
Handling Conservation Fund,
DENIAL
BALLINGER's
JACK
Former Official Says There is no
Truth in the Charge.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Argument on Methods for Conducting
Inquiry is Promptly Passed by the
senate-GOes over an
the House.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-somewhat wan
ing interest in the Investigation Of the So
called Ballinger-P Pinchot controversy was
quickly revived in congress today by sem
sational charges against Secretary Bal
linger filed by Representative Hitchcock |
of Nebraska and incidentally by the SEN
ate's adoption of the investigation resolu-
ton as agreed upon in conference.
The most important allegation of Mr.. /
Hitchcock is that funds of the Interior de-
partment were improperly used in paying
private travelling expenses of Secretary |
Ballinger's consln. The secretary and |
other officials Of the Interior department
will be subpoenaed before the house com
mittee on expenditures to which mr..
Hitchcock's charges were addressed.
Senator Nelson today reported to the
senate the conference report on the resolu
ton providing for the investigation of the
Balllnger- -Pinchot controversy. The con-
ference report would permit amy official
or ex-official concerned to appear person
ally of by counsel, and the time limits
provided would make it possible to ex-
tend the investigation beyond this session
of congress-
The report as presented was unanimously
adopted by the senate. The house also re-
/ celVeO Ine report as adopted Dy lHe SeildlS
and 1t went over until tomorrow.
d. The republican caucus to select members
of the joint investigation committee prob
! ably will be held Wednesday evening. The
democrats have selected Rainey of Illinois
and James Of Kentucky. The senate MEM
bers OF the committee will be named by
Vice President Sherman.
Contents of Affidavit.
M. ia I1,. MR
Hitchcock at meeting of the committee
called to permit him TO substantiate his
charges of extravagances in the Interior
department. The committee decided to is
sue subpoenaes for Commissioner bennett
of the general land office and all others
interested in the charges to appear as wit
nessess in the case before the committee
next Wednesday,. 's' i-'rs
The statement alleges improper use of
the $1,OO0OOO appropriation for the pro-
lection of the public domain against
Il frauds by the purchase of the expensive
furniture, mounting into the tens of thou
sands of dollars, the erection of "a certain
large brick chimney for land office at
considerable expense" the employment of
some eighty additional clerks salaries
increased and in one case at least doubled
out OF the 81. 100000 fund" Getting the case
of Chief of the Field Service Schwarz as
this instance) long telegraph bills which
cover long extracts from the newspapers
sent in by travelling representatives Of the
general land office, selection of special
agents not at all qualified" ETC.
Place Made for Cousin.
The affidavit asserts that when Mr.
Ballinger became commissioner of the gen
eral land office, the position he held be
fore entering the cabinet, he reduced the
salary OF Law Clerk Wright so that Judge
Wright's 5000 salary could be given tc
Jack Ballinger. his cousin, not under the
title of law clerk but under the title, Gre
ated by Mr.. Ballinger's order of conf.
Dental clerk. l have been told Wright
died of dsappointent and humiliation soor
thereafter"
| Jack Ballinger remained a year in the
service, the affidavit says his manner OF
living about the time his uncle resigned. in
March, 1908, being alleged to illustrate "the
reckless expenditure of the land office"
1T was announced" the affidavit goes
on TO say, that young Jack Ballinger was
leaving the. land office to resume Law
practice in Seattle. In order that he
might receive a final rakeoff he was
designated as special temporary inspector
; of offices an evident outrage on the
treasury. This enabled him to draw travel
ing expenses from Washington to Seattle
and per diem also.
within two weeks after he reached
Seattle he resigned, as understood in ad
vance, and resumed law practice, including
OF course, practice before the land office
out there and also in Washington"
Mr.. Hitchcock declared this to be only
, one of many outrages on the treasury
which can be found.
Lawyers for Officials.
A provision made by the conferees per
mitting any official or ex-official Of tn,
department to be investigated to be rep
resented by counsel, authorizes Secretar!
Of the Interior Ballinger, Clifford Pinchot
former government forester; Overton w
Price, former assistant forester; formel
Law officer Shaw Of the bureau Of for
estry and L. r. CLAWS, former field agent