Conservation Timeline |
| This timeline emphasizes the
Ballinger-Pinchot Controversy. |
| 1896 |
Gifford Pinchot appointed to the National Forest Commission by Grover Cleveland |
| 1898 |
Pinchot put in charge of the Division of Forestry (later renamed the
Forest Service) by President McKinley |
| 1902 |
Reclamation Act Passed--gave Secretary of the Interior power to select
and construct irrigation projects funded from the sale of public Western
lands. Became a central feature of the conservation movement |
| 1905 |
Pinchot shifted control of the national forest reserves and mineral
entries to the Division of Forestry. |
| 1907 |
Richard Ballinger made Commissioner of the General Land Office |
| 1908 |
Taft elected President. Taft and Pinchot immediately clash over
conservation policy. |
| 1909 |
(January) Ballinger offered Secretary of the Interior position by Taft. |
| 1909 |
(February) Roosevelt asked Congress for money to continue the National
Conservation Commission and was denied. |
| 1909 |
(March) Indian reservations withdrawn and reserved as national forests
under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service. Ballinger refused to
recognize Forest Service’s authority. |
| 1909 |
(Summer) National Conservation Association organized by Pinchot.
Attempted to win public support for Roosevelt’s conservation policies. |
| 1909 |
(early Fall) Agent of the Department of the Interior Louis Glavis
charged Ballinger with wrongdoing in processing an Alaskan coal claim.
Pinchot supports Glavis. |
| 1909 |
(November) "Collier’s" magazine publishes Glavis charges.
Pinchot-Ballinger controversy becomes known nation-wide. |
| 1910 |
(January) Ballinger invited an investigation into his actions. Pinchot
had Senator Dolliver read a defense of the Forest Service criticizing
Ballinger and Taft. Taft fires Pinchot for insubordination. |
| 1910 |
(April 11th) Pinchot meets Roosevelt in Italy to discuss politics and
to convince T.R. to run for president. |
| 1910 |
(April) Ballinger cleared of misconduct by Congress along partisan
lines. |
| 1910 |
(Summer) Pinchot published The Fight for Conservation in which
he advocated the necessity for conservation to enter the political arena.
This work influenced T.R. |
| 1911 |
(January 21st) The formal organization of the National Progressive
Republican League (NPRL) set up. |
| 1911 |
(March) Ballinger resigns citing health problems. |
| 1912 |
(June 21st) Teddy Roosevelt announced his willingness to accept the
Progressive Nomination. |
| 1912 |
(August 5th) First Progressive Convention held in Chicago. |
| 1912 |
(November 5th) Election of 1912. Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson
wins presidency. |
| 1940 |
Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes reexamines Pinchot-Ballinger
Controversy. Ickes exonerated Ballinger while he blamed Pinchot for
framing Ballinger. |
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