Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-21
Can This Be Whitewashed Also?

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in order as he stated, that Eccle,
might learn first hand from them al
the progress they were making WITT
the Cunningham claims. At this In
terview Mckenzie stated in the pres
ence of these two officials that h
and Eccles were particularly anxious
to know when the matter would be
submitted t. the commissioner OF the
general land Office, since he, Mcken-
zie had assurances from the depart
ment that the cases would be given
Immediate attention AZ soon as report
ed
In October 1908. In Portland, Ore
gon-after Ballnger had ceased all
connections with the land office, ana
while the Presidential campaign was
Ballinger spoke to CLAWS Of the
difficulty of raising campaign FUNDS.
He told CLAWS that some OF the Gun
ningham claimants had contributed
freely in previous campaigns. but
were unwilling to do so at that time
On account of the investigation Ct
their claims. and urged CLAWS not to
prosecute his Investigations further
until after election.
In his written report to President
Taft at Beverly.G LAWS stated that
n number of the Alaska coal claim
ants are men prominent in the state
of Washington, and many of them are
personal frien g of Mr. Balllnger
This may serve as prophecy OF the
recent rhetoric OF the Seattle cham
Der Of commerce.
ealiineer and Hepburn.
Clarence Cunningham lived at
Wallace. Idaho. at the time ne nrst
became interested in the Cunningham
claims. Wallace is the chief town OF
the Occur d'Alent mining region. by
a sort of financial manipulation not
here necessary to explain, the Gug-
eenheims control the lead output CT
the Occur d'Alenes. Wattace is the
residence Ct Senator w. B. Hepburn OF
Idaho Cunningham and Hepburn are
and have been for years, friends IN
his affidavit. presented by Balinger
to Garfield. Cunningham says tna1
certain of the claimants failed 10
GENE forward with their subscriptions
and MAT these expenses were ad-
yanced by A. B. Campbell, announcer
mine.owner who was subsequently re-
imbursed. John A. Finch. CampDeli
mining partner, is also claimant
Another is Charles Sweeney, occur
standard Oild'A lene mine-Owner. VINO
foated some Occur d'Alene mines ana
sold them to Standard Oil interests
Standard Oil, indeed, may get deep
er into this story at some later date
For the present, it may interest the
reader to know that court RECORDS Ill
Seattle show that Ballingers law
firm represented the Standard on
Company in three different suits
Senator Hepburn was. at the time
If his election to the United STATES
senate. the leading attorney at wall
ace fer scme of the large Occur
d'AIene mine interests. After the
hearing on the Gale bill Senator Hey
burn. On April %. 1905 introduced IN
the senate another bill which wouia
nave legalized legalized the Cunning
ham claims. and which would nave
nassed but for the intervention oil
Secretary Garfield. In Washington
Hevbrrn and Ballinger appear 10
have acted in concert. In our issue
Of August rs last. We made reference
70 a sort Of political partnership ne
tween Heyburn and Ballinser IN GER
tain land matters. II is un!awfni iof
n United States Senator to act as
attorney for persons interested III
claims before the departments at
Washington. Il was forth IS onese
that Senator Burton Of Kansas ana
Senator Mitchell Of oregon were tried
and convicted. Hepburn was elected
senator from Idaho January 10, 1903
In Cunningham's books, under date
Of September. 1903, nine months after
uevburn's election as senator, there
Is an entry which reads as follows;
Have agreed with W. B. Hepburn
in consideration for his services as
.,,o~,av tn carry him for one claim