Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-02

Mr.. Pinchot;
Il could draw no other conclusion
Senator Nelson!
Don't you know as a matter Of fact
that before transmitting this Ronald letter
to the president Mr.. BauinEer himself
had made a statement to the president in
which he covered these three points and in
which he stated the actual facts?''
Mr.. Pinchot;
Yes"
Senator Nelson:
Then how do you say that he wilifuily
attempted to deceive the president by
transmitting this letter?'
Mr.. Pinchot:
Il do not know the workings OF Mr..
Ballinger's mind and I do not attempt to
reconcile the two occurrences"
At this point the lunch recess was
ordered.
Former Secretary Garfield was present
at the opening Of the afternoon session.
Dispute rs to Conservation
Mr.. Pinchot read a letter from President
Taft, dated November 20. 1900. replying
to the witness letter of November 8. Mr..
Taft said he could not coincide with Mr..
Pinchot's views as to Mr.. Ballinser and
declared the fact that Mr.. Ballinger diff
fered from some things Mr.. Garfield had
done, did not argue a lack OF friendli-
ness on the part Of MI. Ballinger to the
cause Of conservation. The president also
declared that Mr.. Pinchot's statment had
not shaken his confidence in the good faith
OF Secretary Balllnger and his hearty In
terest In the cause Of conservation.
There is expressed in this letter a
disagreement between you and the presi-
dent as to hat transpired at an inter-
view between your suggested Attorney
Pepper.
There is"
But does the letter In any way shake
your confidence in your recollection Of
what transplred at the interview %
Not q bit. The statement made to mo
by the president was Of vast Importance to
meE as a conservationist and I UNI
Occasionally placed more Importance upon
II then did the president himself"
Asked as to what impression the letters
Of the president had upon him, Mr.. Pin
chot said the Impression was a very deep
one.
CLAWS had been dismissed on the ground
that his charges against Mr.. Ballinger were
baseless," he said, when we now know
they were far from baseless.'
Secretary Wilson came in and took a
seat beside Chairman Nelson.
DOIIiver Letter Read.
Mr.. Pinohot then read into evidences his
letter TO Senator Dolllver.
Did you consult with the secretary of
agriculture before you wrote that letter"
demanded Senator Nelson.
Attorney Pepper obtained permission to
examine the witness in some other particu-
lars before this question was pressed.
Mr.. Pinchot was asked to explain his
statement in the letter that President Taft
has been mislead. He said evidence before
the committee showed Mr.. BalIinger knew
more about the Cunningham claims than
any other mar in the service and pro
ceeded to recite the various facts that have
come out at the hearing.
But did you know all these things at the
time you wrote the letter to Senator DoIli-
ver?' interjected Representative Olmsted.
Il knew some Of the facts said Mr..
Pinchot.
Did you know Governor Moore had been
to Washington, for instance?" -
"No." I
Mr.. Pinchot declared he thought tho
president had been misled because in his
letter of September 10, Diminishing the
CLAWS charges, HI made no reference. to
Mr. B~allinGer's action in elear-listIng the
Cunningham claims on the strength of the
Love report, which Love himself did not
regard as warranting any such action"
III a subordinate of mine had taken the
action Mr., BalHnger did," declared the wit
ness dramatically, II would nave dismissed
him either for corruption or Incompetence
and l would not have cared which. But
The president made no reference to that
act"
And the property value involved was
how muoh?' suggested Attorney Pepper.
From $4,000, 900 to 800. 900, Oo0."
What further have you to say about the
Ronald letter and the charges you based
thereon ?"\ asked Mr.. Pepper.
Il believe Mr., B~alllnger sent that letter
to the president because he wanted the
president to believe 1t and that the presi-
lent sent 1t to ms because. he did believe
1t and wanted me to believe it."
Mr.. Pinchot here read into the record
his letter Of dismissal from President Taft
What have you to say to the charge
that you were disrespectful to the presi-
dent?' asked Mr., Pepper.
II contend that the expression of an
honest belief that the president had acted
under a misrepresentation is not disre-
speot."
What, now, as to showing a lack of
al NhS purpose OF the president
to take the defense OF the peoples rights
into his own hands?"
IF the president had signified his in
tention to take matters in his own hands
l would have been happy to leave it there.
But the presidents letters showed he would
continue to leave 1t in ~Ballinger's hands
and that he had great confidence in Mr..
%Ballinger."
What as to your being in-subordinate?"
Il was not, but I do not desire to lay
stress on that point, for / should have
been insubordinate without a second
thought If 1 should have considered It
necessary to bring the facts before the pub
lie"
Were you, in fact, insubordinateT'
CAS- a matter OF fact / was not. But L
have no desire for a personal vindication
and would rather not go into that ques-
ton"
why not?" asked witness attorney.
Because it is not important and 1 re-