The Washington times., 1910-08-25
BALLINGER ANSWERS
CRITICS IN LETTER
Declares Accusers Have Fail
ed Utterly TO Produce
Proof.

SAN FRANCISCO Aug. z5---StunE by
the many attacks made on him Seere-
tary Of the Interior. Richard A Bal
Ifuger. has issued a statement defending
his c0urEs.
THIS is his first answer in detail to
critics
ia it he attacks the policies Of his pre-
decessor. James r Garfield, friend OF
Theodore ROOseveIt. and the man VINO
was the initial cause Of the Ballinger-
Pinchot row M BalIinger als1 de-
ciares his stand and thai Of President
Taft have been the same
AIr- BaIlinge- says:
Out OF the multitude Of accuse tons
lodged against ms by political coaspira-
tors. in not one instance have by sc-
cusers been able to produce any facts in
support o. their assertions As the
President has expressed il, they con-
tained mere shreds Of suspicion In
the last auaIy sis they cannot be digni-
fed as even legitimate criticism
II may be said there is a difference in
method OF administration between my
conduct OF the Interior Department and
that Of my predecessors
Respects Constitution
Whatever difference may be found
will probably be found in the fact that
in my administration Of the public do
main I have felt the necessity Of having
the authority OF Congress with which
the Constitution has lodged sole powers
TO pre-cribe the law regulating the pub
lie domain
In the other case any action when
considered desirable =zz deemed au-
rhorized unless there was some stat
utory prohibition against its eXeT-
else This doctrine Is too absurd 10
warrant serious attention II may
appeal to the hair trigger reformer-
but not 20 any one grounded IN the
principles Of our institutions. The
offense Of which appear TO be guilty
is not being a laWlesS COuservs ZIONIST
What is there in conservation that
can be made a political issue. or for
more than II has always been an
issue. just as patriotism, civic virtue,
and righteousness have always been
issues
What is there about 1t that calls
for excitement bitterness Of spirit. or
cOntentiOn2 Nothing I hatter NY
self that have done as much to con-
/ tribute 10 the rational conservation
Of the public domain as any one This
Is not q defense. as I never conceived
mat any defense was called for by-
me against the blatant statements
Z that / was not IN harmony with the
Z
Works With President.
And further. IL should be known that
1 have been al all times in complete
harmony with the views OF the Presi-
dent This Is manifest by reference 10
I the message Of the President TO the Iasr
Congress on the subject of conserya-
ton
As Secretary Of the Interior working
I n entire accord with the President and
Congress We have secured more con-
struction legislation for the protection
| CT the public domain than for many
years past
| I have not made use Of advertising
/ methods, but am seeking 70 bring about
/ material and useful accomplishments
/ IN the way Of legal authorization 70
1 save the remainder OF our public re-
/ sources from misuse. monopoIizaCiOu,
/ and waste
/ in view OF conditions. I an opposed
/ 10 the Withholding Of any lands IN the
/ public domain. reserved or unreserved
l that are capable OF giving strength
/ and permanent prosperity to the cOun-
/ Try In agricultural. commercial, Or in
/ Gustrial pursuits
/ When the clouds Of contention have
/ rolled away. the record viii be my
/ indication, II vindication is necessary,