The Washington herald., 1910-01-30

The namSs Of Representative James
McLachlan. Of Pasadena, Cal, and Repre-
sentative Moses r. Kinkaid Of O'Nein.
Nebr., We're brought out yesterday in the
Investigation Of the BaiIinger-P -Pinchot
controversy by a joint Congress commit
tee
Louis r. CLAWS who was again on
the witness stand during both Of the
morning and afternoon sessions, testified
that he came to Washington TO procure
an affidavit from Representative Nc
Lscblan, whose name appeared as one OF
the Green group" but was advised not
to see the member Of Congress by Sec
retary BaHinger.
lie testified that Nj Ballnger told him
that there had been too much Of that
kind Of Undertaking already" and al
the Secret8rys suggestion he gave up
the plan Of procuring the amdaUt from
the California Representative. This tes-
timony was given at the morning session.
At the afternoon session CLAWS testi-
fed that be obtained an affidavit from
Harry White, of Los Angeles. former
snayor Of Seattle, in which White testi-
ned that Mr.. Bauinger had acted as a.
torney for Representative Moses p. Kin
kaij, of Nebraska, in the purchase Of the
assignment Of one Of the Alaska coal
claims. and in its consolidation with other
claims. to exploit which a company was
being organized.
Representative Olmsted n member of
the-eommiuee, asked the vstaess whether
taere was anything unlawful or improper
I'm the purchase by Representative Kin
/ kaid Of the coal claim The witness re-
I Piled that there WIS not lie explained
thai the assignment and the consolidation
with other claims was made under the
( act Of 1915, relating 10 coal claims in
! Alaska Nj Olms;ed then asked CLAWS
( if there was anything improper in Ai-.
/ BaliBger acting as attorney for Repre-
/ sentative Kinkaii in The matter
Associations Are Vague.
/ NO. there was not" replied tha Wit
ness except lis bearing on Nj. RaII.a-
gers employment as attorney for the
! Green group" OF claimants. Of which he
had obtained knowledge while Commis-
sioner Of the General Land Office"
/ Here Glavis's attorney, Mr. Brandies.
! interp0sed the suggestion. And its bear
! ing ON Mr. BallinEer's published state
ment that be acted only for the Cunning
/ ham claimants, except as TO drawing Up
articles Of Incorporation"
/ When the afternoon session closed.
shortly after q o'clock. GIayis's attorneys
/ announced that they had concluded their
/ examination in chief. and While they
| might find It necessary 20 recall CLAWS,
! to question him in regard TO some letters
and documents they were not prepared
( to say that they would recall him.
! The witness expressed desire 10 return
70 his fruit farm, at White Salmon.
! Wash. as soon as possible After
! conference among the members Of the
/ committee. during which several cf the
( members expressed a desire 10 question
/ CLAWS. 1t was announced that the inves-
.
/ Monday afternoon. instead OF until
/ Friday morning. as had been previously
announced. II is very evident that CLAWS
I is to be subjected 10 a rigid cross-eXami-
! nation His testimony has not satisfied
/ Chairman Nelson and some Of the other
members oE the committee.
view of senator Nelson.
Senator Nelson voiced his view Of the
/ matter in the course of the examination
Of the witness late this afternoon. CLAWS
had testified concerning his suspicious or
! both Secretary BaIInger and Land Com
missioner Fred bennett OF bennett he
said:
4 made up my mad that the man was
! crooked
This was near the close Of the after
noon hearing. Some Of CLAWS letters 10
! II. II. Schwartz. Of the Land Office, had
been read. in which Claws voiced his
suspicious Of Commissioner bennett, and
! in which he had used the expression, "T
/ do not think that either Deanett or Judge
/ L. will last long" and suggested that
Schwartz should apply for Deunetts or
/ flee as Land COMMISSIONS. Here Sen8-
/ tor Nelson showed some impaticnCe with
! the witness. especially when CLAWS ad-
mitted that he had loaned his stenog-
Irapher to Commissioner bennett while
| the commissioner was on visit 10 Seat
tie, and had instructed the stenographer
10 make copies Of all Dennetts cOrre-
! spondence and retain them.
/ 1T looks like YOU were more anxious
to make a point against Ballinger and
/ bennett than You were TO bring about
| the cancellation of the Alaska coal
| claims" observed Senator Nelson.
well, I thought the coal claims would
/ be better protected with both OF them out
Of the service" replied the witness,
slowly.
! There was an uproar Of laughter and a
! faint ripple OF applause from some OF the
visitors Even Chairman Nelson joined
in the laughter,
Motive with bennett.
! Asked to explain what influence, in his
! judgment, were at work to control the
action of Secretary Ballinger and Com
missioner bennett, the witness replied
that he thought bennett was working
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