Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-12

tlOn or the claims to ascertain ii the
improvements were being made in a
manner to indicate that the claims
we're being operated in common. This
was an important circumstance in
the Governments case.
After CLAWS was removed from
charge Of the cases James NJ. Sheri-
dan, who was sent to succeed him, re-
ported that he was right, and the
field examination was made prior to
hearings
Discusses Pinchot Charges
Mr.. Madison discusses the Pinchot
charges and the question OF water
power sites and their withdrawal by
the Government in order to prevent
monopoly. He says:
Mn. Ballinger, soon after taking of
hVe as secretary, declared such with
hrawals were without authority OF
law, although there was much author
ity to uphold Mr.. Garfields action. and
restored the lands to entry and expose
them to the danger of ultimately. with
out any restriction, as to their use.
falling into the possession of those
who would monopolize the power.
AT the time OF restoration he did
not intend to re-withdraw the lands
but on account of protests from those
whom he said had an exaggerated idea
OF the danger, he re-withdrew the
lands in sufficient quantity to protect
the sites. He made to Senator La
toilette In letter as the reason for
restoring q large portion of the land
the statement that the reclamation
service had recommended the restor.
alton of the land to public domain.
This statement was also made i'm n
letter to the President. The evidence
before the committee shows that the
officers OF the reclamation service
protested against the reservations.
Mr. Ballinger's course toward tho
director OF the reclamation service
since he has been secretary has been
such as to tend to destroy discipline
and lack OF harmony in the bureau
ut appears that CLAWS has been
very effective In the accomplishment
OF results. He protested against and
prevented the patenting OF the Gun.
bingham claims when ordered to pat.
ent by Commissioner Ballinger. He
secured reversal OF the Pierce de.
cision constituting the act OF May %.
! 1908, and he prevented the common
cement OF hearing TO cancel the Gun.
ninghan entries until a field examina.
ton had been had. CLAWS, Henry NJ.
Hoyt, Horace Tillard Jones and An.
drew Kennedy are deserving of com
mendation by the people OF this coun.
/ try.
Questions Of Fitness.
"The questions which should deter.
mine the fitness OF Mr.. Ballinger as q
public servant were those which arose
out OF the Cunningham claims and the
restoration OF the waterpower sites.
These had to do with the conserya-
\ tion OF the natural resources OF the
nation. Mr.. Ballinger on one side
and Mr.. Pinchot and Mr.. Garfield on
the other. occupy entirely opposite
positions toward that policy. Mr.. Bal.
linger was willing that the Cunning.
ham claimants should obtain their
patents without investigation. al
though the signs were prominent and
he must have been aware OF them
that they were travelling toward the
Neutrality-suspicious. syndicate and
monopoly. lie was willing to throw
the power sites along the streams OF
the West into danger Of acquisition
by those who would monopolize them.
| lie could see no danger I'm returning
them 10 entry and only submitted to
their withdrawal because other men.
alive to the real danger. protested and
\ denounced his attitude"
Necessity Of Conservation
Mr.. Madison discusses conservation
and the necessity thereof also de.
claring Il a crime to permit natural
resources and waterpower sites ITO
fall into the hands OF those who will
monoDolize them and use them to the
enrichment OF the many"