The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-11
DEMOCRATS FILE
.BALL|NGER REPORT
Declare He Should BE Requested
Il to Resign His
Office.
NOTHING FROM REPUBLICANS
Findings Made Public After
Futile Effort to Get
Quorum.
NOTHING FROM REPUBLICAN

! Minneapolis, Mimi. September To-
| THAT Richard A. Ballinger has not
been true to the trust reposed in him
as Secretary OF the Interior, that he
is not deserving of public confidence.
! and that he should be requested by the
proper authorities to resign his Office"
The foregoing sums up the findings
of the four Democratic members of
the BallingerPinchot congressional in
vestigating committee, which were
made public yesterday
The Republican members issued no
report of any kind bearing upon the
controversy.
An interesting report was given out
! by Mr. Madison, the Insurgent kepub-
lican from Kansas, which declares also
that Mr.. Ballinger Should not be re-
tanned; that he was an unfaithful irus.
tee of the peoples interest ard an
enemy of conservation" and that tho
charges of Clifford Pinchot should be
sustained
These findings will be printed and
| filed with Congress.
Democratic Report.
! The Democratic report is signed by
| Senator's Duncan U. Fletcher, of Flor
| Ida. and William l.. Purcell, of North
AVS
James, of Kentucky, and James NJ
! Graham. of Illinois. 1t says:
"That there was no conspiracy
against Mr.. Ballinger.
"That Clifford Pinchot and L. F.. Gla-
vis were faithful trustees of the peo-
pies interests.
THAT Mr.. Balllnger's conduct on GER
tain occasions was intended to and did
have the effect Of deceiving the Presi-
dent.
"That Mr.. Ballnger's action in hav-
Ing clear listed the so-called Cunning
ham Alaskan coal lands and ordering
them patented showed bad faith.
'rrhat he advocated a bill to validate
Alaskan coal claims alleged to be fraud
ulent.
"That his action in acting as attorney
in cases pending in the Land Office
while he was commissioner was repre-
hensble.
THAT he helped to force the Cur
ningham coal claims to hearing be-
fore the government was ready to pro-
coed.
THAT he encouraged insubordination
in the reclamation service and condoned
improper official conduct in that con-
nection.
Numerous official acts of Mr.. Balm.
ger are attacked. High praise IS given
Clifford Pinchot. former Chief Forester,
and H. r. CLAWS, former chief of field
division of the General Land Office.
Mr.. Nndison's Conclusions.
Mr.. Madison's conclusions are:
'That the charges of Messrs. Claws
and Pinchot should be sustained.
THAT Mr. Ballinger has been un-
faithful to the public interests.
THAT in the matter of the Cunning
ham coal lands he was not a faithful
trustee of the peoples interests.
That with regard to the reclamation
service, he has taken action tending
towards It's disintegration."
Secretary Ballinger's action In re-
tention to withdraw is also criticized,
along with his conservation policy,
among other things.
members and Mr.. Madison to make the
reports public followed session which
was unusual.
Three Republican members, Senator
Mccall. of Massachusetts, and DENLY.
OF Michigan, refused to attend tho
meeting FINALLY the chairman Of the
Minnesota, left the committee room,
and failed to return.
Chairman Nelson gave notice that
a meeting would be held In Chicago
next Tuesday. The Democratic mem
bers adjourned to meet again in Wash
ington on December 8.
Representative Ollie NJ James, OF
Kentucky, one of the Democratic mem
bers, announced that all of the Demo
Gratis would refuse to attend the meet
ing OF which Senator Nelson has given
notice. The Republicans will then be
IN the same position that the Demo
themselves In to-day.
a resolution adopted by the Demo-
Gratis and Mr. Madison provided for
publication OF the findings. When SEN
ator Nelson left the committee, Senate
FLETCHER was made chairman pro tenn
pore. and the members present pro-
ceedcd with their work.
Effort to Get Quorum.
Earlier In the day an effort was nade
TO secure quorum, but without sue
cess Paul Sleman. OF Washington. D.
=. secretary Of the committee, was
instructed to bring in the absentees.
after being designated as sergeant-at-
arms. He was ordered to arrest them
put 1t was found there was no mower
TO do this under the resolution an
thorizing the committee
1t was said that the Republicans had
remained away from the meeting. be-
cause they feared the possibility that
the action Of the Democratic members
ana a, Mr. Madison, in adopting a resolu- i
tlon urging the dismissal of the secre.
tary and condemninG his official act II
might be ratified
Az what time the Republicans will
give out their finds could not be learn
The findings of the Democrats and
MT. Madison were also filed with the
secretary of the committee
nhrJrN-o k,II ,.,4a.,-