Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-09-14
Minority Members of IayeSti-
eating Committee Taken 10
Task for Attempt to Make
Capital Out Of Report,
SIX REPUBLICANS SIGN
STATEMENT OF PROTEST
Democratic Action Scored as
TraveSty on Justice ard Vio-
lation of Fundamental princi-
pies of the Square DEAL
Isy Morning Journal Special Laassa wireI

Isy Morning journal Special Laasea Wirel
Chicago, sept. 13.-SiX republican
members Of the Ballinger investigat-
ing committee met here today and
issued a statement condemning the
action Of the four democratic mem
bers and one republican insurgent
who delivered q report ct Minneapo-
lis last Wednesday, demanding the
retirement of Secretary Ralllngcr
Those present today were Senators
Nelson. Sutherland and Root and
Congressman Mccall, Olmstead and
DENLY. They declared the action OF
what they termed the minority at
Minneapolis to have been accord
ing to the worst methods ci ward poll
itcs "
The evidence in the Ballinger case
was discussed, but in the absence of
q quorum they stated no action on
the case itself was possible 1t was
reported that Senator NJ tOn had au-
thority to act for Senator Flint, who
is q member OF the committee, but
who is in Europe This could not
be confirmed, but IN any event no
attempt was made 70 use the alleged
proxy Adjournment was taken sub
iect to the call of the chairman, Sem
ator Nelson.
As the minority" declined to at
tend todays conference, and took
their adjournment at Minneapolis un-
til the next meeting Of congress, It Is
possible that Senator Nelson will not
call another meeting until the return
of Senator Flint who as the seventh
member would make quorum
Following is the statement issued
'rhe hearings Of the committee az
ter proceedings for months were end
ed IN the closing duys of the last
session of congress There was no
opportunity and no attempt upon the
part of anybody to have the commit
tee meet for the purposes of consulta-
tion upon the evidence or TO report it,
findings to congress prior to the ad-
ioarnmeut vi the session. Under the
circumstances that course was mani
feslly impossible.
The committee is the creature of a
special act OF congress. which fixed
the number Of it's members at twelve,
six cenatVrs appointed by the vice
president and six representatives
elected by the house. The act care
fully defined the powers ana iuris-
diction of the committee and contain
ed a mandate that it should report its
findings and conclusions to this con-
gress.. ..,-
Tho day OF the meeting found tie
membership widely scattered and
only seven of the twelve members
present. Three other members were
detained by brief engagements. SEN
ator Flint was in Europe and senator
Root on the sea returning from argu-
ing a case for the government before
Tho Hague tribunal
Upon reassem bling two days later
eight gentlemen were present and two
more were reported on the way.
The eighth member to appear hap
pened TO be a democrat and the mem-
oers of that party found themselves
N temporary control and promptly
proceeded To turn the circumstances
To what seemed to them a party adj
vantage, In advance OF any consult
atieu whatever upon the evidence,
which never had been weighed and
discussed in committee, they demand
the passage OF resolutions Of a most
sweeping character. formally finding
Secretary Ballineer guilty. not mere
ly of charges that had been made.
out OF charges that had only been
Implied. and or things which never
had been charged. but which persons
appearing at the hearing had alleged
against him.
other members OF the committee
present protested against such pro-
e.edings. which would dispose Of the
c3se in the absence of four OF the
twelve members. making it possible
fof q minority Of the committee 10
ind the committee verdict, and this.
too. without any consultation or dis
cfission
But the partisan political end 70
ne gained by the democratic minority
became All the more urgent In pro-
portion as the railway trains bearing
other members Of the committee we're
approaching Minneapolis. The min
GRITTY refused To take even a recess and
the other members, protesting
against the evident determination 10
take snap judgment by a minority ia
the absence of q third Of the whole
tribunal and declining to bear any
responsibility fer thus converting the
invostigation into traYcsty and lor