Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-09
eALLIN0ER-PlNcH COMMITTEE
ORDERS SECRETARY TO FUR
NlsH DOCUMENTS.
ATTORNEY FOR PROSECUTION
SCORES A BIG POINT
Defense Making Much Of Discovery Of
Alleged Missing Letters From Claws
Office Claws Successor Principal
Witness and Tells of Hidden Mail
Search.

er-Plnchot investigation is again
under way with more testimony
about the alleged discovery of twenty
four missing letters among CLAWS eff
fects left in the federal building at
Seattle. The defense evidently is lay
ing great store by this discovery and
the hearings for the last three or four
sessions have been given over practi-
cally entirely to this subject
mass of documentary evidence was
put in while Andrew Christensen,
Claws successor as chief of field di-
vision at Seattle. was on the stand. At
torney Brandeis of the prosecution was
admonished concerning his method Of
cross-examination by Senator Suther-
land.
Alfred H. Brooks, mineral expert Of
the geological survey, took the stand
late in the day to testify regarding the
value and extent OF the coal resources
in Alaska. It was evident from his
statement of the case that the value of
the coal fields has quite generally been
overestimated. Mr.. Brooks said the
coal in the ground in the Katalla field,
where the Cunningham claims are 10
Gated, is probably not worth more than
half a cent a ton.
The house members Of the committee
deserted the afternoon session in order
to vote on the two-battleship plan
which was reached during the consid-
GRAFTON of the naval bill today.
Hunt For the Letters.
When he had concluded with the cor
respondence Mr.. Christensen told of the
search among Claws effects in the fed
eral building in Seattle in February.
His account conceded with that Of AS
sistant Custodian O'Neill. Prior to the
finding OF the papers on Feb. s, Christ
ensen said he had no knowledge of the
whereabouts of the documents At the
time he discovered the papers the wit
ness said he was searching for other
papers requested by the investigating
committee.
/ The witness was turned over to Mr..
Brandeis for DISCRIMINATION and the
attorney attacked him in the character
istic fashion which brought a quick
protest from Attorney Vertrees.
when you telegraphed Schwartz on
Feb. about the finding OF the letters,
you made certain false statements.
didn't you?" asked Brandeis.
"The only thing that was said I'm that
telegram that was mistake was that
the box in which the papers were
found was broken open. AS a matter
Of fact the top Of the box was loose.
The telegram was prepared in a hur-
~. We broke open several other boxes.
1t is easy to make a mistake like
that
! TT is easy to lie," shouted Brandeis.
Senator Sutherland protested against
this. saying it was not only offensive
to the witness, but to the committee as
we'll.
Rebuff for erandeis.
Attorney Vertrees said he desired to
protest gently against Mr.. Brandeis'
methods with witnesses. He declared
no member of the committee had ever
observed such an "unseemly reprehen-
sible or improper course"
EITHER the witness should be pro-
tected or allowed to protect himself"
concluded Mr.. Vertrees.
Christensen, thereupon, was excused
and Alfred H. Brooks, q mineral expert
of the geological survey was called to
the stand to testify as to coal condi-
tons in Alaska.
Mr.. Brooks said the total area Of
Alaska is 3S6,000 square miles. OF coal
bearing rocks there are known to be
about $4,000 square miles. Only about
one-tenth Of the coal area Is known to
be underlaid with coal seams About
one-half Of the entire coal area is
made up Of Ignite, or very low grade
of coal. About one-fifth Of the territory
has not yet been surveyed and the
witness said there was every reason
nav ~ nf
the territory are some Of the most ex-
tensive coal deposits. These are not
included in the 10000 miles estimate.
Saving for Country.
Mr. Brooks declared that II the
Alaska fields were opened 1T would
mean a saving to the United States
navy Of at least 100000 year. The
expert also said that the Chugach for
est reserve is only about one-fifth COW
|ered with timber. The timber in Alaska
lis being rapidly used up for fuel pur-
poses It would conserve the timber
lie the coal fields were opened.
aDon't glaciers make upImost of the
forest reserves ~ asked Senator Mel
son amid laughter.
Yes" replied the witness.
ALASKA is retrogressins, SAID ~
Brooks people are becoming discour'
aged and are leaving. This is largely
due to the coal situation. Without Goa
there can be no railroads and withou
railroads there can be no business tt
speak Of"
Up to this time, the witness declared
i the visible coal supply in the United
States has been used only to the exten
Of four-tenths of l per cent, leaving 9!
6-10 per cent yet to be mined.
Mr.. Brooks was still on the stant
when the committee adjourned unit
today.
4 Baiiinser Comes Last.
AS the committee assembled to con
slider further evidence in behalf of Sec
rotary Ballinger there still existed
doubt as to the order in which MI
vertrees would present his. witnesses
. It has become more and more eviden
! that it is the intention of the defense
to hold Mr.. Ballinger for the last, TO
lit is believed that upon his testimony
Imore than any other factor in the case
1.-The committees final determination lwdl
II =