Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-19
SEC. BALl|NGER
IS EX0NERATEO
BY COMMITTEE
MAJORITY OF INVESTIGATORS OF
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT ROW
SAID TO HAVE PREPARED FIND
iNGs IN THE CASE.

ikGs IN THE CASE.
Chicago, July 18.-According to
special story in the Chicago Tribune
today under Washington date Secre'
tary Ballinger has been exonorated 5y
the majority report of the joint con-
gressional committee which for five
months has been making an exhaus-
tive Investigation of the conduct of the
affairs of the department of the IN
terror and of the bureau OF forestry,
and department of agriculture. me
Investigators who concurred in the
majority report which carries con-
demnation Of the course Of Pinchot,
Garfield and CLAWS, according to the
Tribune story, are Senator'S Nelson,
Flint, Sutherland and Root and Repro
sentatiyes Mccall DENLY and Ohm
sted 1t also is declared minority
report will be filed declaring Bal
linger guilty to which the signatures
of Senator's Purcell and Fletcher ana
Representatives Madison, James and
Graham will be attached.
Nelson Prepares the Report.
Madison is a republican and others
signing the majority report are demo
Gratis The Chicago Tribune cores
pondent has learned that since the ad-
iournment of congress the members
Of the investigating committee have
been drafting reports and their con-
clusiOns in the famous cause.
The basis Of the reports for the ma
iority was prepared by Senator Mel
son and for the minority by ,Represen.
tatiye James. Mr.. Madison is writing
his own opinions. 1t is understood that
the results of the labors of Mr.. Nelson
and Mr. James have been submitted
to the members of the committee for
criticism and for additions. BY the
time the committee reassembles on
Sept. 10 it will have in practically fl
nal shape the repnrts which it Will
make. It is intended to give the re-
ports to the press without delay in or
der that the charges shall not be ut
tered that the republican party delib-
erately suppressed the findings be-
cause OF the fear of the effect upon the
impending congressional campaign.
The report of the majority will be
what the friends of Clifford Pinchot
will be found to be a long resume of
the testimony OF numerous witnesses
and deductions therefrom.
Holdings OF Majority Report.
The majority report will declare:
That Mr.. Bal1inger is wise, hon
est, conservative officer of the govern
ment.
That, Mr.. Ballinger acted entirely
within the record and displayed proper
Judgment in his attitude with respect
to the Cunningham coal claims.
his criticism Of the reclamation
service.
That nothing was developed to
prove any monopoly or improper grant
Ing of water power sites.
That Mr.. Ballinger was justified in
abandoning the policy of Mr.. Garfield
expressed in a cooperative agree
ment" whereby absolute control. man.
agement and direction of certain en-
ployes in the Indian service were
given over to the forestry bureau Of
the department Of agriculture.
Questions to be Answered.
$1a IL Will DS III IuIS way ludl luS lid
jority of the committee will answer
.hese two questions which counsel for
Mr. CLAWS and Mr.. Pinchot inserted IN
heir brief:
Have the conduct and associations
Of Mr.. Ballinger been such, are his
character and conceptions such that
he may be safely continued as a trus.
tee of our vast public domain and
manager of the reclamation and other
services the administration of which
will so largely determine the welfare
pf the present and of the future gen
erations of Americans?
"Is Mr. Ballinger a man single
minded able. enlightened so zealously
devoted to the interests of the COM
mon people. so vigilant and resolute
In resisting the insidious aggressions
Of the special interests that to him
may be safely intrusted the carrying
forward of the broad policy Of conser-
vation of our national resources?' ~
The answer of the majority Of the
committee to these two questions may
be expressed in two words:
He is.
The answer of Madison and the
democrats will be:
He is not.