New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-27
TELLER SEES CONSPIRACY
Says Inquiry Clearly Proved
Anti-BaIIinger Plot.
sECRETARYS ACTS PROPER
No Evidence of Improperly or
Violation of Law-West
Stands by Ballinger.
From Tn. Tribune Bureau. |

Washington. May 26.-"There has been
no evidence introduced before the Bal
linger-Pinchot committee which has in
any way tended TO show that Secretary
Ballinger was guilty of an improperly,
much less any violation of law. ! think
the evidence indicates that a conspiracy
was organized very early in the season
to force Mr.. Ballinger out of public life
on the theory that he was likely to dis
turb certain men holding office in the
Reclamation Service and the Forest
Service. I think this was very distinctly
proved before the committee"
This statement was made to The Trib-
une correspondent to-day by Henry NJ.
Teller, a Democrat, and for thirty years
a member of the United States Senate
from Colorado Mr.. Teller was Secre-
tary of the Interior under President
Arthur. and is probably as familiar with
conditions in the West as any man in
the country. He went to Colorado from
New York in 1861, and literally grew
up with the West, in whose wonderful
development he has taken so prominent
part Mr.. Teller was eighty years old
last Monday, but his mind is as alert as
it was a quarter of a century ago, nor
has age diminished his interest in pub
lie questions.
II have read every line of the testi-
mony." he said. Il have gone over the
hearings day by day as a lawyer would
if he had to try the case, and I must
say that 1 was greatly surprised with
the utter foolishness of much of the evil
dence. 1t would not be admitted by any
reputable court That is the usual con-
dition in Investigations of this character.
There is a general feeling that when a
committee of Congress undertakes an
inquiry all parties should be given an
opportunity to present their case. There
has been no abridgment of this prac-
tice, and the men who are attacking
Mr. BaIlinger have been given all the lee
room they could ask, and much more
than they We're entitled to.
Il have been following this matter,
because the western portion of our coun-
try is especially interested in the ad-
ministration of the Interior Department
portant administrative branch of our
government, and, without wishing TO
criticise former administrations. / can
say that the Interior Department has
not been quite satisfactory to the peo-
nile of the West who feel the effects Of
its force.
I'VE are all believers in the doctrine
of the preservation of the natural re-
sources of the country so far as is con-
sistent with their proper development
We believe that a good farm cultivated
bv intelligent men and women is more
desirable than the finest forest in the
land. While we do not believe in waste,
We do believe in use We think, the peo-
ME Of this generation. especially the peo-
ME who braved the hardships to settle
tbe great West. are entitled, If any people
will be, TO use these great resources. and
the only good they can be to the world
is by their use"
Senator Teller referred to the varied
responsibilities of the Secretary of the
Interior and gave some instances OF his
own career in that office as illustrating
the difficulties in the way of Cabinet
officer who has a proper regard for his
oath of office
BaIinger's Course Entirely Proper.
secretary Ballinger believes in the
conservation or preservation of these
natural riches" he continued. 'but would
,ot withhold them from the public I'M
less so authorized by law. He believes.
as do the people of the West, that the
lands of this country belong to the peo-
ME. and that. by the Constitution. Con-
press has the control and determination
of what disposition shall be made OF
them.
There was no improperly. nor has II
ever been so considered. in any official
Seniinued on third page.