The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1911-06-29
PLAYING POLITICS.
That is What the Democratic
House ID Trying TO Do

PRESIDENT TAFT'S WISE 1
STATESMANSHIP e
Testimony at the Lortaa~r >
Investixation-The Head Of the {
Mormon Church Admits That the
Church Has Gone Into Co-p&rtner-
ship With the Sugar Trust and L. 1
Making Money by the Deai-secre-
tary Fisher Prevents a Syndicate
From Stealing the Greatest Goal
Deposit i'm the World in Alaska.
Especial 10 The Caucasian.)
Washington, D. C, June 27. 1911.
On yesterday, the Secretary OF the
Interior issued a decision declaring
the famous Cunningham coal claims
in Alaska as illegal. II will be re-
membered that the severe attack
made upon Secretary Ballinger, which
finally resulted in driving him out OF
the Cabinet was because of his al
legged friendliness to these Cunning
ham coal claims.
It was charged that Mr.. BallingeT
had been the attorney for the holders
of these claims, which, If was alleged
were backed by a mammoutn coal
trust. before he went into the Cabl-
net. These charges resulted in Con-
gressional investigation, and while
majority Of the committee upheld
Secretary Ballinger, yet developments
were such that the Secretary thought
it best to retire from the Cabinet.
, Vindication of Pinchot.
1t was the controversy over these
coal claims and the active part whlcn
Mr.. Pinchot, the Chief Forester OF
the Government, took in opposing the
patenting of these claims, that caused
l his dismissal and the dismissal Of a
number of other officials connected
with the forestry service In the In
l terror Department from public SER
vice.
When the President appointed Mr..
= Fisher, of Chicago, as Secretary OF
the Interior to succeed Mr.. Balllnger,
Il Mr.. Pinehot and others who had tax
en- his side in the controversy, ex-
pressed their qualification at the ap-
pointment of a man, who was mem
ber of the National Conservation or
a ganization Of which Mr.. PlnchOt was
J. president, and which organization
e had opposed the attitude Of Secretary
- Ballinger.
J. But Alaska Coal Still in Danger.
The decision just rendered by Sec
S. retary Fisher meets the warm en-
lg dorsement of Mr.. Pinchot and is look
ID ed upon as complete vindication
u his course. However, Mr.. Pinchot
le in an interview expressing his pleas
es ure at the decision, sounds neN
IL note of warning to the effect that IN
ST same interests that were trying t
e gobble up his coal have already sc
cured the control of the harbor right
at the nearest point to the shippin
'A of this coal and have also the contrc
of the nearest right-of-way for tn
shipping of coal from these fields
.e- the Alaskan coast He declares ths
e. this monopoly of the harbor an
cir u+,+;o, r,,.+ ba broken nm. c
en- else the effect Of this decision will .
largely nullified, because he poin'
,er out that those who control the ma
~. Dor facilities and the means Of tram
mt portation will control the coal ael
,el no matter in whose hands it ma
ty. nominally be.
.en In short, Mr. Pinchot declares tn;
ar the danger is not over, and the fgl
25 to preserve the greatest coal nelo
is the world is yet to be waged to dete
of mine whether or not the coal trust
the the people shall triumph.
ma The Sugar Trust and the Mormt
led Church.
WOW Prophet Smith, the president OF Il
bis Mormon Church, has responded
r.a the summons of the Congression
rad Committee Investigating the Sug
Tod Trust. and was yesterday and tn
~ morning on the witness stand befo
that committee He admits that b
80 as trustee for the Mormon Churc
,os- went into partnership with the Anne
-. lean Sugar Trust in order to increa
tod the profits of the beet sugar indt
49, tries which the Church owned.
- further declares that since he we
into partnership with the trust tn
the profits OF, the Church in the sug
business have greatly Increased.
What President Smith admitted
~. testimony has heretofore be
- stoutly denied in many quarters. I
ter testimony of President Smith Great
nes- almost a sensation in the commit
ON The Lorimer Investigation.
that