The Washington herald., 1909-08-26
LAND SCANDAL is IMMINENT
President Taft's Order for Facts
Causes Sensation.
Cunningham Coal Property in Alaska
Subject of Conservation
Controversy.

Judging from orders received by Of
ficials OF the Interior Department, Presi-
dent Taft is determined to ascertain all
Of the facts behind the controversy now
raging over the policy OF conservation be-
tween Richard A. Ballinger. Secretary Of
tie Interior. and Clifford Pinchot, chief
forester Of the Department OF Agricul-
ture
-Four officials OF the Interior Depart
ment have been called upon to make re-
ports relative TO the Cunningham claim
for coal lands in Alaska They are Mr.
Ballinger. the head Of the department: /:
Mr. Pierce, the Assistant Secretary; Mr..
bennett. the land commissioner, and
Mr. Schwartz assistant land commits
sioner. The President has directed each
Of these officials 20 report fully all that
he knows about the Cunningham claim.
Some people here believe that sensational
developments will follow these reports to
the President and that number Of Of
flcials in the Interior Department will
be dismissed from the service.
II a scandal does not develop in con-
nection with the policy Of conservation
Il will be revealed that officials OF two
OF the great departments OF the govern
ment are very much at odds as 20 Just
how the policy o. conservation should
be administered. II has been disclosed
that l. R CLAWS. chief Of the field
division OF the General Land Office. with
headquarters at Seattle. has been IN
conference the past week with President
Taft. CLAWS made an inquiry into the
validity OF the Cunningham claims for
coal lands In Alaska, and made reports
on them that are said 10 have dIspleased
his superiOrs In the Interior Depart
ment
Mr.. Ballinger was formerly Commits
sioner OF the General Land Office by ap-
pointment OF President Roosevelt. After
the termination OF his service in the Land
Office he became counsel Of the Cunning
ham claimants. About a year later he
was appointed Secretary Of the Interior.
As Secretary OF the Interior Mr.. Balm
ger has never had anything 10 do IN an
OfflCial way with the Cunningham claim
for coal lands in Alaska
He passed up this particular transac-
ton for consideration by the land com
missioner. Mr.. bennett. and by the As
sistant Secretary. Mr.. Pierce. In an or
der issued by Mr.. Pierce some time ago.
It is alleged. directions were given that
the Cunningham claims should be rush
ed TO patent.
The lands in dispute In this case com
prise some 5000 acres in Alaska. part
of the land lying in the Chugach forest
reservation. They contain coal in eGor-
nous quantities. and estimated 10 be
worth at least S25O.000,Oj0. It is alleged
that the Cunningham claims are illegal.
in that they are based upon filings made
by dummy entrymen in violation OF the
land laws Of the United States
There IS nothing 10 say about this
natter" said Assistant Secretary Pierce
yesterday, except we will report to the
President within a few days upon pub
lished statements and upon the situation
as g whole"
Land Commissioner bennett returned
TO Washington yesterday. after an alb
sence Of several weeks. He said:
II came here TO make a report upon
this matter In accordance with the di-
rections Of the President. Pending the
preparation OF that report and its con-
sideration by the President II would be
improper for me 10 discuss the merits OF
the case @ comment UPON the statements
OF other officials OF the government. An
opportunity to discuss the matter pub
licly may be presented later"