Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-11
SUGGEST ASOLUT|0N
Republicans Seek to Relieve
Administration.
LOOK TO PARTY SAFETY
Intimate That Secretary Ballinger
Should at Once Resign.
INVESTIGATION IS OPPOSED
They Protest Against Having Cabi-
net Member Made a Campaign
Issue-Bullock for Forester.
LOOK TO PARTY SAFETY
INVESTIGATION Is OPPOSED

There is TO let-up in interest around
the Capitol in the BallinSer Pinchot con-
troversy and the situation in which Con-
PLACED as result of recent Developments.
1t is now suggested as a solution of the
row. to relieve President Taft of possible
embarrassment and to preclude the pos
campaign issue fraught with danger to
the republican party. that Secretary Bal
linger should at once tender his resigna-
ton as member of the cabinet.
Opposed to Investigation.
This suggestion emanated from men,
bers of Congress who are deeply inter-
ested in the election of republican ma
jority In the next House. They have OPP
posed a congressional investigation of the
Ballinger- Pinchot affair. and have resent
ed Congress- being forced to settle an i'm
broglio in the Presidents immediate Off
cial family. They say that the republican
members of Congress. who must assume
the responsibility for the verdict. what
ever it may be. following the inquiry. are
being placed in a position where they will
be damned if they do and damned If
they don't" They protest that this re-
sponsibility is at once an unnecessary
and an unjust load to impose upon repub-
licans who at best will have rough road
to travel and a steep hill to climb to gain
reelection next November.
In short. they insist that republican
congressman should be free to face their
constituencies solely on the record of
what they themselves have done and
should not be placed in a position where
they may be held to account for condon-
ing or condemning a cabinet member
who has been brought under fire.
Secretary Ballinger's Attitude.
That Secretary Ballinger has considered
rendering his resignation to the President
at suitable moment is generally be-
lieved. That he has thought Of doing so
before the investigation is started is not
credited. 1t is predicted by some that
the Secretary will retire when he has
been vindicated by the congressional
committee, as he and his friends. from
President Taft down, are confident he
will be.
This is not what is wanted, however,
by the members Of Congress who are
concerned about the effect upon their
political fortunes of the impending in
vestigation. They point out that, while
Mr.. Ballinger's troubles may be ended
by the vindfcation of the inquiry COM
mittee. the troubles Of the men who do
the vindicating will have just begun.
They say they have been hearing from
back home and know that the co1l-
troversy has assumed such an aspect that
even If 1t be proved that the Secretary's
record is as white as the driven snow a
cry Of "whitewash" will be raised. and
democrats. independents and dissatisfied
republicans will have been furnished an
issue against every republican member
who is standing for reelection.
Senate Resolution In House.
The Senate resolution Of inquiry into
the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy reached
the House today while that body was
in committee of the whole, but it is ex-
pected to come up for consideration later
in the day. The indication is that it
will be referred to the House committee.
where there is strong disagreement with
the Senate on several provisions of the
resolutions.
A large number of democrats and re-
pubIcans will insist upon that feature of
the House resolution granting witnesses
right Of counsel before the committee,
which was stricken out by the Senate.
Other differences exist which will prob
ably throw the resolution into conference.