Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-12
BALL|NGER NOT
TRUE TO TRUST
Conclusions of Representa-
tive Madison, Progress
i've Republican, Con-
denim the Secretary

The findings OF the Democratic mem
bers OF the Ballinger. Plnchot-Glavis
investigating committee are open to
the suspicion OF being biased to some
extent by political prejudice. The
same considerations will probably
control the report OF the partisan Re-
publicans on that committee. The
public has all along expected the
truth to be arrived at and reported
by Representative Madison, the indie.
pendent or insurgent Republican on
the committee, whose only interest i'm
Below we give a synopsis of the find
ings OF the four Democrats and also
OF Mr.. Madison.
Democratic Finding.
Summarized the Democratic findings
declare that the evidence shows:
THAT there was no conspiracy
against Mr. Ballinger.
That Clifford Pinchot and L. r.
CLAWS were faithful trustees of the
peoples interests.
THAT Mr.. Ballingers conduct ON
certain occasions was intended to and
did have the effect OF deceiying the
President
THAT Mr.. Ballinger's action In hav-
ing clear listed the so-called Cunning
ham Alaskan coal lands and ordering
them patented showed bad faith.
That he advocated bill to vail
date Alaskan coal claims alleged to be
fraudulent.
That his action in acting as ats :.
ney In cases pending in the Land or.
flee while he was commissioner was
reprehensible.
That he helped to force the Gun.
ningham coal claims to hearing be
fore the Government was ready to
proceed.
That he encouraged insubordina-
tion in the reclamation service and
condoned improper official conduct In
that connection"
Numerous official acts of Mr.. Bal
linger are attacked. High praise Is
given Clifford Pinchot. former Chief
Forester, and l.. X. CLAWS, former
Chief OF Field division OF the General
Land Office.
Conclusions Of Madison.
Mr.. Madisons conclusions are:
That the charges OF Messrs. CLAY
is and Pinchot should be sustained
That he has been unfaithful to
the public interests.
THAT in the matter OF the Cunning
ham coal lands he was not faithful
trustee OF the peoples interests.
That with regard to the reclama
tion service he has taken action tend
ing toward it's disIntegration."
Secretary Ballinger's action in re
storing water-power sites without in
tentlon TO re-withdraw is also CRITICS
ed, along with his conservation policy
among other things.
The Cunningham Claims.
"In December, 1907 Mr.. Ballinger
as Commissioner OF the General Lant
ONCE, at the request Of ex-Gov. Miles
c. Moore, OF Wala WaIla, Wash, 8
Cunningham claimant. ordered the
Cunningham claims to patent. Pre-
vious to this order the Guggenheim
option agreement had been made. The
claims had gone to entry but patents
were being delayed. All Alaska Goa
claims were under suspicion OF beine
fraudulent. The order under such cir
cumstances was wrongful. CLAWS
who had a few days before been I'm
structed TO investigate all Alaska Goa
claims and who was given forma
notice OF the order, protested against
It and the order was revoked.
After resigning as commissioner Mr.
Ballinger acted as adviser and coun
sci for the Cunningham claimants II
their attempts to obtain patents. III
prepared lengthy affidavit for Clar
ence Cunningham and presented it tC
the Secretary OF the Interior and Com
missioner of the General Land Omc,
in an attempt to explain away a for
mer acidavit OF Cunningham and the
entries in the Cunningham journal
both of which had been secured b,
CLAWS and we're the most damaginf
pieces OF evidence against the claim
Continued on Page SIX