Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
BALL|NCER HITS HARD
Denounces Magazine Critics
as Plain FaISifierS.
ISSUES LONG Statement
Charges of Mathews Characterized
as Intentional Falseho0ds.
CLAIMS CONSISTENCY IN ACTS
Ready and Pleased to Answer All
Questions Concerning Conserva-
ton Administration.
ISSUES LONG Statement
CLAIMS CONSISTENCY IN ACTS

Corrupt imagination. Jasmine state
ments.'' cloth from the same shoddy
bolt. - fake statement Intentional false
hoods and plain ordinary fabrication -
these are some of the bolts that Secre-
tary Ballinger hurls at his critics In a
statement given by him to the press late
yesterday. At the same time the Secre-
tary of the Interior declares that he has
been consistently in the vanguard Of the
conservation movement
Mr.. Ballinger strikes back hard. and in
dications are plenty that he is full of
fight. Up to recently he has failed to
take much notice of his accusers. When,
several days ago. representative of Col
lier's Weekly called to see him. Mr.. Bal
linger wrote a singing letter to the editor
of that periodical at the same time CIV
Ing the correspondence out for publica-
ton.
The present statement from Mr.. Bal
linger is I'm reply to a publica ton which
has just appeared in a New York maya
zine, over the name of John l.. Mathews
advance sheets of which were shown to
the Secretary. who was asked to COM
ment on the charges contained in the ar
ticle. which Is one of a series.
Il shall be pleased to answer questions
about this matter. This group of literary
apostles of vomit imagine they can in
vent calumnies and pure fabrications SO
rapidly as to preclude reply" said Mr..
Ballinger.
No Coal Lands Patented.
Taking up the official history of the
Cunningham claims. and pointing out
that coal lands in Alaska were with
drawn from entry by President Roose-
welt. Secretary Ballinger said that no
Alaska coal claims whatever have been
patented, and the investigation of all
such claims with view of determining
their validity or invalidity has been and
is being vigorously prosecuted
Regarding his alleged employment by
and the charge that he was interested in
the corporations stock he declared:
THE stock story is just a plain. ordi-
nary fabrication. The statement that I
or my former firm was attorney for this
in its efforts to acquire title to public
lands is also without basis in fact.
II can imagine but one circumstance
which even a corrupt Imagination could
pervert to the charges made in this con-
nectiOn. Alaska coal locations are as
signable under the law. In 1906 Mr..
Hartline, acting for himself and others
having Alaska locations, entered into
written contract to assign such claims to
H. p. Hartman and other persons. Sub
sequently they differed as to the terms OF
their contract. maritime alleging default
and refusing to convey. They agreed to
submit this contract to legal counsel.
and presented 1t to now Superior Court
Judge ]. T. Ronald, one of my former
firm. The question of legality of claims
existing or the intention Of Hartman
was not I'm dispute and was not consid-
cred. The thing submitted was a con.
tract Of bargain and sale. Judge Ronald
rendered a written opinion and collected
his fee therefor.
Consulted as a Lawyer.
After I ceased to be commissioner of
the general land Office and had re-es-
tablished partnership relations with my
old firm, maritime being dissatisfied with
the opinion. 1t was submitted to me in
person. and after considering the matter
/ verbally advised my concurrence in the
original conclusion, for which no fee was
charged.
THE coal land law of 1868 approved by
President Roosevelt. provides for the
entry of up to 1850 acres OF Alaska coal
lands by corporations formed for that
purpose and in my private practice after
ceased to be commissioner l was con-
suited in the preparation of articles Of
Incorporation under that act. But to
say that 1 have ever advised. aided or
lent support to any effort to perpetuate
a fraud upon the government in this or
other connection Is not only false. but Is
Intentionally so IL made by any one who
has taken the trouble to inquire into the
facts"
Asked about Mr.. Mathews statement
that the Secretary had said the public
domain should be divided up among the
big corporations, so that the people who
knew how. could make money out of 1T.
Mr.. Ballinger replied:
Denounced as Jasmine"
$50 asinine. a statement hardly merits
denial. OF course. I made no such
statement. Such a thought could not be