Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-02-20
PROSECUTIONS SIDE
PRACTICALLY ClSOED
Attorney General For Porto RICO
Gives Principal Prosecutor Splendid
Character While on Stand Before
Committee-Reiates His Connec-
tions With the Land Deals.

WASHINGTON ID. c.. Feb. IL
The case for the prosecution In the
Ballinger- Pinchot inquiry has pracu-
cally closed. When the committee
adjourned this afternoon until FRIDAY
next. Mr.. Brandeis stated that there
was some corrcborative evidence yet
In be produced, and that Clifford Pm
chot probably. would want to make
statement before he could announce
that his case was ended. Mr.. pm
chot was to have taken the stand IN 5
afternoon but could not be found DUR
ing the luncheon recess.
The days proceedings began with
the unexpected announcement that
the cross examination of Louis X.
CLAWS was ended.
Henry NJ. Hoyt. attorney general
for Porto Rico. was called to the
stand to corroborate that portion OF
Claws temtimony, in which he told
Ct seeking the advice of Mr.. Hoyt
in Washington in May, 1909, after
First Assistant Secretary of the In
terrier Pierce had rendered an opin-
ion. which CLAWS thought would per-
NIT the Cunningham claims in Alaska
to go to patent.
CLAWS Seemed Worried.
Mr.. Hoyt told of how deeply wor-
rled CLAWS seemed to be at this time
and said that before going to At
torney General Wickersham he and
CLAWS had discussed the ACCESSIBILITY
of taking the matter up directly with
the President Mr.. Hoyt also testi-
fled to the good character OF CLAWS,
saying he had known him for a num-
Der of years and that he had told the
attorney general that CLAWS was an
honorable upright young man.
The only other phase of the case
to which Mr. Hoyt directed his tes-
timony had 10 do with the Wilson
coal land cases in which he acted as
special attorney fer the United States.
CLAWS testified that he had heard
that the name of r. A Baillnger, as
attorney for some of the Wilson
claimants, had been left out Of the
court record by stipulation OF counsel
Mr.. HDyt said it was at his peTsonai
suggestion and without the knowledge
If Mr.. BalliHger. that the stipulation
had been entered into. AS matter
of fact. however. Mr. Ballinger's name
q.
the testimony given.
Mr.. Hoyt said search had been
made for the alleged Escrow agree
Iaent, which Mr. Bailinger IS said by
Claws. to have drawn up. and which,
according to CLAWS constituted a
criminal act. but taht il could not be
! found. and the only evidence as to it,
ex'stencen was an informal statement
Lv one OF the Witnesses. who at the
! trial denied the existence OF such an
! agreement
Documentary Evidence.
The remainder of the day was TAX
en- sp with the Introduction Of dOcu-
mentary evidence by Mr.. Brande :
I who read his extracts as he ccnsid.
cred of peculiar interest to the com
mittee.
These consisted largely OF refer
noes in The agents reports 10 CONVEX
sations CT interviews with Mr.. Bal.
finger as commissioner o. the land Of
flee. on the subject OF the Alaskan
coal claims This was done. the at
torney said. TO show that Mr.. Bal
finger had been actively interested
m these cases before he left the land
cffice and acted as attorney for some
: Of the claimants He also read from
statement by II. " Schwartz. CHIEF
Of the field service. that II was at Mr.
BaIlnger's direction in January 1908
that the Cunningham cis ms we're or
dcred 20 be clear listed for patent
This order vas Withdrawn after eta
Wis had bcca notified and had pro
tested.
Mr.. Brandcis accompanied the IN
:r0ducton Of the documents with :
sort % summing NJ statement n
which he said Il vas claimed Nr
| Ealiinger had acted on a favorable re-
rort by Special Agent Love. Ne thcr
read = lettcr from Lcvc N Commits
sioncr bennett Of The land Office. u
which Love dcn.cd that his rcpor
q August ?. 1907. favored toe fcsiin,
o. the claims This report. o. said
ruggrstrd The advisabiiity ~ furfhc
invcsti Cation. although previously b.
had recommended clear listing