Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-28
Senator Sutherland Suggested
His Attorney Was Furnishing
More Than the Witness.
BALLINGER'S INSTRUCTIONS
We're for Him to Make Thorough In
ycstigatiOn, No Matter Whom
1t Hurt.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-Lous r. CLAWS
today continued his testimony agninSt
Secy Ballinger before the congreSsion-
al investigating committee. The pro-
ceedings at the morning session were
largely by reading into the record GER
tain letters, etc, which have been
made public from time to time since
the controversy started.
CLAWS declared that despite he was
directed by Mr.. Ballinger, as commits
sloncr OF the land office, Dee. IS
1907. to make a thorough examination
of all the Alaskan coal lands cases,
sparing no one, the Cunningham claims
were ordered. clear listed" for patent
in less than n month thereafter ON
his protest by wire and mail, CLAWS
said the clear listing was revoked.
All the members of the committee
were present at the opening of the ses-
sion. Mr.. Pinchot and his dismissed
assistants of the forest service we're
early on hand, but Secy. Ballinger
again was absent.
Atty. Brandeis. representing CLAWS.
presented to the committee a long
list of witnesses to be summoned
CLAWS RESUMES STORY.
CLAWS took up his story where he
left it Wednesday afternoon. giving
his testimony in response to questions
from his attorney.
CLAWS said that L. s. Atty Hoyt had
suggested to him in 1907 that he should
take up the matter of the Alaska coal
lands direct with Secy. of the Interior
Garfield
But L did not think 1t would look
well to go over the head of my imme-
diate supporters, he added.
CLAWS said he did write to H. H.
Schwartz, then chief of the field di-
vision, saying he was worried about
the Alaskan situation and would like to
conflde III him.
1T viii pain you as much as 1t has
pained me-" the letter ran, but 1 am
sure you will want to learn the true
situation
What Alaska claims did you refer
to in that letter." asked Representative
Olmstead.
''All of them replied the witness.
Some 400 IN all?"
''Yes"
At this time Mr.. Bauinger was COM
missioner OF the land office.
Atty. Brandeis next took up the print
ed document in the case, which con-
sists OF S07 pages, and spent some time
in calling the attention of the commit
tee to various letters, kilograms, etc.
tending TO show Glavis's activity in
the Alaska cases. The attorney said
he also wanted TO call attention to GER
tain letters which showed the part Mr..
i-iiinger played as commissioner in d.
i,s,'I.y the inquiry.
-..S purpose in this, he said, was to
N licate that President Taft and At
,v-Gen Wickersham were mistaken
when they reached the stated con-
Dol faf,
ton in the matter had been merely
formal.
Among the letters read was one
from Special Agent II. T. Jones.
calling attention to the alleged fraudu-
lent character of the Alaskan claims.
That letter was written before
CLAWS came into the matter in any
way?" questioned Senator Nelson.
"Yes." replied Mr. Brandeis
Then you don't claim CLAWS orr
ginally called attention to these
claims2"
no; in addition to Jones report
there had been one from Special
Agent Love"
"Didn't Love recommend the Cum
ningham claims for clearlisting?"
asked Representative Madison.
"It didn't amount to a recommen-
dauon, exactly" replied the counsel
sUTHERLAND'S KEEN REMARK
At this point Senator Sutherland
said:
1T seems to me we are getting
great deal more testimony out of
counsel than out of the witness"
Thereupon the examination OF CLAWS
was resumed.
He told of a visit to Washington
in December. 1907. when he took up
with officials OF the land Office the
matter OF the Alaska claims.
He told Mr.. Schwartz that people in
Seattle were saying there would be
10 further investigation of the claims
In Alaska and the patents would be
granted
Il said there was great danger OF
another big scandal equal TO that In
Wyoming and Colorado, where the In
vestigation of coal land cases had oeen
suppressed" declared Claws
who suppressed those investiGa-
tions?" demanded Senator Paynter
Dcm.).
'It was testified at Salt Lake that
former Commissioner Richards did
Mr.. BalilnSer had no connection with
It in any way
why were people in Seattle saying
they would get their patents?' asked
Mr.. James Dem.).
II do not know" replied CLAWS, II
know OF no reasons they may have
had"
Who made these statements?" In
quired Mr.. Olmstead
There were a number of claimants
In the Hunt group. / can't recall the
names"
After his Interview with Mr..
Schwartz. CLAWS was conducted TO Mr..
Ballingcrs Office and as result OF his
Visit To Washington and the story he
told. was employed In charge Of all the
Alaska cases.
What did you say to Commissioner
Ballinger?"
II told him we thought we could
cancel the Alaska. that a lot OF promi-
nent people had formed a pool and that
the evidence would prove IT."
What did Mr. Bnllinger say to you?"
BALLINGER's INSTRUCTIONS.
He said number of the claimants
wero friends and former business as
sociates OF his and that there had been
lot OF talk that they would get their
patents .....-
Now, CLAWS he said. when you
get back to Seattle l want to let IL be
publicly known that you have started
this Investigation and I want II to be
thorough. no matter whom 1t hurts
You arc 10 go right after them. wheth-
er they are friends of mine or not"
Did he mention names of his
friends?"
Yes. he spoke of H C. Henry and