The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-27
CLAWS ON STAND
AS HEARING OPENS
Continued from Page One.

did not appear In the court records OF
the Washington coal claims, and that
he did not appear in court at any time.
The witness said Mr. Ballinger, how
ever, drew up an escrow agreement. and
prepared the deeds for the claimants IN
the Wilson cases.
Ballinger had no government connec-
tion at the time of this.
CLAWS next turned to the Alaska coal
fields and described in detail the loca-
ton and extent Of the Cunningham
| claims,
/ After CLAWS had proceeded for half
an hour or more, going INTO the detalis
of the Cunningham claims, Representa-,
| tive DENLY Of Michigan interrupted
| him.
Representative James Of Kentucky
| (Dem.) said he thought the witness
should be allowed to proceed in his
own way,
Representative Graham of Illinois
| (Dem.) suggested that Glavis's coun-
sci should make the statement. inns
course finally was decided upon, and
ATTORNEY Brandeis arose to address the
committee.
Attorneys Statement.
He said Glavis's attention first was
called TO the fraudulent coal land claims
when he was in Seattle as chief of
field division IN l907-Ballinger at that
time was commissioner of the land
Office. CLAWS heard that a number of
prominent people in Seattle we're inter
ested in the fraudulent claims In
Alaska He met Special Agent Jones
Of the land Office, who was on his way
TO Alaska to investigate the Alaska
claims.
When Jones, after a preliminary IN
vestigation, returned to Seattle in
| August, 1907, he was directed to re-
port at once to Commissioner Ballinger,
who was in Seattle al the time.
eve claim said Mr., Brandeis,
Commissioner Ballinger thereupon
gwen to Jones by Assistant Commits
sioner bennett to make a full and
thorough investigation to making
only part Investigation, taking only
one or two affidavits in each group, in
stead of fully covering the matter.
"Mr. Ballinger also stated that If
patents could not be granted on the
requested Of congress. Jones had been
sent to Alaska because Special Agent
Love of the department, who had
jurisdiction, lived in Alaska, and was
more or less closely identified with the
claimants Love, however, aided Jones
| in his work.
Conusion Intimated.
"There were repeated conferences in
Seattle between Jones and Ballinger,
and various directions were given by
| Ballinger, both TO Jones and Love.
| There was full discussion as to the
rights, legality and fraud Of the Alaska
claims.'
Mr.. Brandeis then went more briefly
into the CLAWS charges against Bal,
| liuger as presented to President Taft
and acted upon by him. He said recon-
nfendations by CLAWS and Jones in the
Alaska case were not acted on by Com
affidavit from man named Davis.
Davis said be had talked the matter
over with Ballinger, and had been told
not to make any statement,
After this CLAWS came to Washington
and urged with the land office as TO the
danger of scandal in the Alaska cases.
He then was directed to proceed with
| Washington, however, Ex-Governor Miles
G.. Moore came here to see Ralliuper-
| to see if the claims could not be hur-
ried to patent
Senator Nelson charged the attorney
with Withholding the fact that Moore
was referred TO the assistant secretary
of the interior.
Positive in Assertion.
| Mr.. Brandeis said Senator Nelson was
mistaken and was thinking of Bal
linger g action in May, 1909. as secre-
tary of the interior. while he was speak
ing of Ballinger 3 action as commission
er of the land office in 1907.
"1 am stating what is distinctly a
fact and about which there can be no
question: said Mr.. Brandies.
| "In January, 190S.' he continued
"Glavis heard that Ballinger had or
| dered the Cunningham claims to clear
listing for patent. He at once tele-
graphed asking that this action be sus-
pended and came on to Washington. He