The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-07
.BALLINGER MEETS
REBUFF AT INQUIRY
Appeals in Vain to Block
Attorneys Grueling.

Attorney Brandcis early in yesterdays
session Of the committee investigating
the Ballinger-Plnchot affair provoked
Secretary Baninger into an imprisoned
appeal TO the committee
Il ask for protection against the inso-
lence of this man." protested Mr.. Bal
linger. his face red with anger He is
here by surerance or the committee and
not by any right. I am perfectly willing
to answer any proper question. I have
invited this investigation. but I think
ought to be free from the imputations
which the gentleman implies cortinu-
ally"
Mr.. Brandeis had asked Mr.. BalIinger
IL IL were not a fact that L. r. CLAWS
had had no opportunity TO know what
selection Of records was made by Secre-
tary Ballinger and his associates and
presented TO President Taft in answer 10
the CLAWS charges.
THAT question implies an insult" be-
gan Secretary BaIlinger 1T implies that
we made a selection 70 meet our con-
venience and omitted that which was not
favorable. when as a matter OF fact
everything was submitted.
Directed TO Answer.
The committee heard Secretary Balm
gers appeal I'm silence. and then Chair
man Nelson directed him TO answer the
question. This came after a heated con-
troversy over the propriety Of questions
asked by the attorney for the prosecu-
ton, In the course OF which Representa-
tive Madison suggested to Secretary Bal
linger that frankness in answering ques-
lions, the answers to which were obvious.
would greatly expedite the inquiry. In
line with this suggestion. Mr. Ballnger
answered the question in the affirmative
Early in the cross-eNamination Mr.
Brandeis skated on thin ice by charging
that President Taft had not had suffi-
cient time TO consider carefully the vOlu-
minous record In connection with the
CLAWS charges in the week that elapsed
between the day Secretary BaHinger took
the record TO Beverly and the day the
President gave out his letter generating
Mr.. Ballnger and condemning CLAWS.
BY persistent questioning, Mr. Brandeis
developed the fact that the President had
been unusually busy that week, playing
golf. attending athletic contests. and pre-
pairing an address which he was to de-
liver in Boston on September H. and
while he did not come out with a direct
charge that the President had pronounced
a verdict on the CLAWS charges without
adequate consideration Of the evidence,
the implication was obvious.
WranEIe l. PrecipItated.
Mr. Brandeis asked Secretary Ballinger
why he went to Beverly on September 5
to see President Taft and take to him
the documents and records in connection
with the CLAWS charges Mr.. Ballinger
replied that he had had an invitation from
the President. and when Mr.. Brandeis
asked him to cite the invitation. the Sec
rotary was unable to point out specific
invitation and said that he had gone TO
Beverly because he wanted to.
Then" said Mr.. Brandeis. "why didn't
you say that when you were first asked
why you went TO Beverly, instead of saw
ing that YOU went at the Presidents
invitation"
Before Mr.. Ballinger could reply. Rem
resentative DENLY interposed an objection
ana pleClplJdleu WidnBle, IN which all
the members of the committee and At
torney Vertrees took a hand. Things
looked squally for a few minutes. but in
the end Mr.. DENLY withdrew his OBJ
lection and Secretary Eallinger was d.
rected to answer the question.
II construed the Presidents letter as
an invitation TO come to Beverly as well
as to Washington If. in my judgment. I
deemed It best" said Secretary BaIIinger.
He did not explain why he had not
stated originally that he went to Bey-
erly because he wanted to-
BnIIinger Introduces Letters.
Mr.. Rallinger introduced a number Of
letters. one to Postmaster General Hitch
cock. then chairman OF the Republican ma
tional committee, in which Mr.. Balm
ger referred to his regard for Score
tary Garfield, and said that Mr. Garfield
had his present and lasting friendship
confidence, and support" In view OF