The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-01-29
BY Associated Press.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-Proceeding
in the Ballinger-Pinchot inquiry were
enlivened this afternoon when Louis
p. CLAWS, continuing his testimony,
told of various interviews he had with
Ballinger at various times while he
was in and out of the government SER
vice. CLAWS declared that in one in
terview, in October 1908, Ballinger
said he was having a hard time trying
to collect campaign contributions, and
that two men involved in the CunninA
ham claims, who had been liberal
contributors, had declined to con-
tribute because they were angry at
not being granted patents for Alaska
coal lands.
Representative James. of Kentucky,
pounced upon this testimony and
cross-examined the witness about it
at length. CLAWS said Ballinger asked
him to hold up on the Alaska cases
until after the election.
He agreed to do this because he
had his hands full with another-case.
The morning session was devoted
to an endeavor by the prosecution"
to show the haste in which Ballinger,
as commissioner of the land office,
urged the Cunningham claims to be
clear listed" for patent The after
noon session was wholly taken up by
Glavis's story of interviews in which
the Cunningham cases always formed
topic of discussion. The inquiry
will be resumed in the morning
5AILINGER ABSENT.
All the members of the committee
were present at the opening of the
session. Mr.. Pinchot and his dismiss
ed associates of the forestry service
were early on hand, but Secretary
Ballinger was again absent.
Attorney Brandeis, representing
CLAWS, presented to the committee a
long list of papers and documents to
be introduced in evidence, also a list
of witnesses to be summoned.
The witness chair today was placed
on a dias and CLAWS, when he took
the stand, sat well above the heads
of the committee. He took up his
story where he left it Wednesday af-
ternoon, giving his testimony in re-
sponse to questions from his attorney
Mr.. CLAWS said that United States
Attorney Hoyt had suggested to him
in 1907 that he should take up the
matter of the Alaska coal lands di-
rect with Secretary of the Interior
Garfield.
But / didn't think it would look
we'll TO go over the head of my i'm
mediate superiors,' he added.
CLAWS said he did write to H. H.
Schwartz, then a chief of the field
division, saying he was worried about
the Alaskan situation and would like
to confide in him.
ut will pain you as much as it has
panied me-" the letter ran, but | am
sure you will want to learn the true
situation"
What Alaskan claims did you re-
fer to in that letter." asked Repre-
sentative Olmstead.
"All of them,' replied the wit
ness.
Some 900 in all?"
"Yes."
RALLINGER THEN COMMISSIONER
At this time Mr.. Ballinger was COM
missioner of the land Office. Attorney
Brandeis next took up the printed
document in the case wich consists
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 iii
the Alaska cases.
The attorney said he also wanted
TO call attention to certain letters
which showed the part that Mr.. Bal
linger played as commissioner in di-
recting the inquiry. His purpose in
this, he said. was to indicate that
President Taft and Acknowledgement
Continued on Page Two.)