The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-08
ALL ARE TALKING.
But Members of Congress I'm
willing to Be Quoted.
Divergent Views Regarding In
surgent Victory.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Is What Congressman Norris
Styles Yesterdays Vote.
Ballinger Declares He Has Moth
ing to Fear.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE

Washington, Jan s.-The dismissal
of Forester Pinchot By the president
and the victory of the combined in
surgent Republicans and Democrats in
the house yesterday on the matter OF
selecting the investigation committee
was the sole topic of conversation at
the capitol today prior to the conven-
ing of the house at noon. There was
much reluctance to discuss for the
public prints the official cleaning
OUT of the forestry bureau. but talk
was freer with reference to the fight
yesterday on the floor of the house.
From the supporters of Speaker Can
non it was denied that the insurgent
victory was in any way triumph over
the speaker. 1t was pointed out that
the whole controversy was an admin
istration fight, that the resolution it
self was the one desired by the presi-
dent and that the speaker was in no
way concerned. In fact, he was per-
sonally glad to be relieved of the re-
sponsibility of naming the inveStigat-
ing committee, which could only bring
him criticism from one side or the
other, it was said.
Representative Norris of Nebraska,
the insurgent author of yesterdays
amendment taking away from the
speaker the right to name the inves-
tigation committee, had no doubt that
the vote of the house showed d lack
of confidence in Mr.. Cannon.
As Norris Sees 1t.
s'That vote illustrates one thing to
the country Enthusiastically. and that is
that the members of the house do not
trust Speaker Cannon he said Per
sonally. had no interest in the con-
troversy in which Secretary Ballinger
and Mr.. Pinci OF are involved and no
did not believe the speaker should
name this committee and thus preju-
dice in advance the investigation in
favor of the principals in the affair
and a majority of the house took the
same view, 1t was vote of lack of
confidence in Speaker Cannon and
can not be construed any other Nay
The insurgents were inclined to the
view that the time was not ripe for
the expression of opinions as to the
wisdom of President Taft's action in
dismissing Forester Pinchot and his
immediate assistants in the forest SER
vice. While nearly all of the members
of the senate talked confidentially to
newspaper men concerning the situa-
ton they forbade the publication of
their statements in the form of inter
views. From the private expressions
of opinion, however. the idea seemed
believed that if he continued in the
government service he would have
been trammelled to a certain extent in
the giving of testimony before the
congressional investigation committee.
Not all of MIR. Pinchot'S friends in
congress, and it is admitted on all
sides that he has many sympathizers,
| thought he was justified in precipitat-
! ing his official decapitation.
! Can't BE a Whitewash.
One of the insurgents in the senate
who has been particularly warm
friend of Mr.. Pinchot said that it made
| little difference whether the house or
| Speaker Cannon appointed the house
members of the investigating commit
tee and that the personnel of the en-
tire committee was of little consequence
to either of the principals 20 the Bal
l;nger-Pinchot controversy. It was ar
gued that the very fact that the in
uuiry was to be made in public would
prevent a whitevash, for it was well
known that the public was so intense
ly interested in the proceeding that it
would judge for itself and the decis-
ion if it was to be final, would be rem
dered by the people
81 have nothing to fear from a
thorough determination of the facts
said Secretary Ballinger today. ''I have
committed error of judgment in one
way or another as any man might
while in the public service, but I am
firm in my knowledge that no impro-
per motive has ever Influenced me in
any action I have taken"
The secretary remarked that he not
only wanted to have his own conduct
investigated, but desired also to have
the same course followed in relation
to the other fellow
He declined to make any comment re-
garding the action of the president in
disnissing Clifford Pinchot. The secre-
tary said he had endeavored to have
the Joint resolution providing for a con-
gressional investigation worded SO that
it would be as thorough as possible
Another Fight Started.
washington, Jan. S.-Another fight
between the insurgents and the or
ganization in the house has been pre-
cipitated by the action of the senate
committee on public lands today in re-
porting a resolution authorizing the
appointment by the vice president and
speaker of a joint committee to inves-
tigate the Ballinger-P -Pinchot contro-
versy:
aE nUEHAaA n AaamR