Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-04
Committee Members Directed
Chairman to Suggest lmpor-
tance of Being Represented.
FOLLOWED THE ADVICE GIVEN
Asked for Postponcmcnt, Which Was
Granted, but Not Until After
Lively Discussion.

Washington. Feb. 4.-In order to per-
NIT the arrival in the city OF counsel
for Secy. Ballinger and to allow coun-
sci to become familiar with the case
the Ballinger- -Pinchot investigation
committee adjourned its hearing today
until next Friday, Feb IL
John ]. Vcrtrees of Nashville, Tenn,
and Carl Rasch. formerly United
States district attorney for Montana,
have been selected to represent Secy-
Balllnger. Land Commissioner bennett
and Field Agent Schwartz in the Bal
linger-Pinchot controversy.
Louis R. CLAWS. the star witness for
the prosecution" is to stay in the
city until full opportunity for cross
examination is given. Members of the
committee have questioned In desul-
tory fashion but owing to a lack of
familiarity with the subject they have
been considerably limited in their quest
other than what CLAWS has given vol
UNFAIRLY In response to questions franz
ed by the counsel representing himself
and his hackers.
CLAWS has concluded all of his
original testimony.
NELSON'S SUGGESTION.
1t developed at the brief public ses-
sion of the committee today that under
date of Feb. 2. Senator Nelson, chair
man OF the joint committee. wrote to
Secy. Ballinger saying he had been
directed by the members to suggest
to him the Importance of being repre-
sented to the committee in orderly
fashion such evidence as would be
material to the other side"
Replying to this Letter under date of
Feb. 81. Mr.. Ballinger said he had fol-
lowed the suggestion of the committee
but that 1t would require several days
for his attorney to reach Washington
and some additional time to familiar
lie himself with the case.
Mr.. Ballinger said he had been of the
opinion that by not having counsel
present he would be assisting the com
mittee OF at least Would not Re ham
pering 1t, in making a fun inquiry of
its own.
In view of the suggestion by the
chairman. however. he could do nothing
but follow the recommendation of the
committee. He asked that the further
hearings b1 postponed until Monday,
Feb. II.
Following an executive session which
lasted nearly an hour, the letters were
read to the public and the adjournment
until Feb. IL ordered.
A LIVELY DISCUSSION
1t was said there had been a pretty
lively discussion In the executive ses-
sion over the question of the postpone
ment. some of the members of the COM
mittee strenuously opposing any delay
at this time.
atty. Brandcis. representing Glavis
made a somewhat heated complaint to
the committee over the delay of the
interior department in furnishing the
documentary evidence called for by
the prosecution"
Mr. Ballinger might have good and
sufficient reasons" for Withholding this
evidence from examination by counsel
representing CLAWS, but in view of his
statements that he wanted a free and
full investigation, he thought 1t incum-
bent upon him to furnish the evidence
in installments as fast as 1t could be
collected.
Chairman Nelson said 1t had been de-
cided at the executive session to request
Secy. BallinGer to furnish the evidence
in installments and that he would send
him letter to that effect and send IL
by special messenger today.
Paul Slemen, an attorney of this city,
has been appointed secretary of the IN
vestieating committee.
PRESIDENT INTERESTED.
The president has shown his active
interest i'm the investigation of the con-
troVersy He has insisted on the reten-
ton of counsel to represent the admin
istration officers, Secy. Ballinger Land
Commissioner bennett and CHIEF Field
Agent Schwartz.
Today Secy. Dickinson brought u The
White House John j. Vertrees. a lawye.
of Nashville. Tenn They talked with
the president for half an hour and then
Secy. Ballinger Joined the conference
which lasted for another hour
AT It's conclusion, Secy. Ballinger, ac-
companied by Mr.. Vertrecs left the
White House although the cabinet was
just about to assemble. and proceeded
to the Interior department TO confer
with Messrs. bennett and Schwartz.
The secretary refused to make any
statement such as he had promised TO
publish earlier In the week. declaring
that whatever he had to say in regard
to the charge made against him by Mr.
CLAWS would be made under oath De-
fore the committee.
Mr. Ncrtrees was recommended by
secy. Dickinson. who vouched for his