The Washington times., 1910-05-16

worked on the Lawle- letter. called
upon him
AT I.90 the Department OF the In
terrier, said kerby. had been informed
BY telegraph Of the prospect i've publica-
tion OF my affidavit and tie department
was furnished with a resume Of my af-
ndaV1t Massey had been directed 10 see
me and ask me II II was true, and he
brought along notes as TO his directions
told him It was true and he went
away
Three hours after Massey saw Kerbv
she copy Of the LAWYER draft vas sent
% the committee BY Attorney General
Wickershau
Mr.. Taft's version OF how LAWYER
came 10 write a draft for him Is set
forth in letter sent last night 10 Sen
etor knUte Nelson, chairman Of the
joint investigating committee
The Presidents Letter
The letter written by President Taft
r. as follows.
MY Dear Senator Nelson. In the
hearings before the committee to In
VeStigate the Interior Department and
forestry service reference has been made
70 my decision IDOu the complaint and
charges Of L r Claws filed with me on
the 18th OF August last against Secre-
Tsry Ballinger and certain other off,
Gals OF tie Interior Department The
ma Ority Of the committee have de
clded that my a ton in this regard was
not within the jurisdiction Of the com
mittee TO Investigate In spite OF this
ruling references to the matter have
crept into The record For THIS reason
deem II proper 10 write you and state
with such accuracy as my memory per
miIs what the facts are
CLAWS statement and charges were
left with me BY him on August IS, 1893
j turned them over 70 the Attorney Cen
ersl, WHO happened 70 be IN The neigh
DOrhOOd, and he made notes upon MS
reading. We both had personal ECOWi-
edge IN respect to Secretary BallInger'S
attitude toward the Alaska coal claims.
s-4l- chi
and complaint, for Mr. Baiiinger had
very early IN the administration con
suited Us both in regard 70 Them
Discussed It With Cabinet.
within two or three days after the
SlinE Of the charges in meeting at
which the Secretary OF the Treasury. the
Attorney General, and the Secretary OF
the Navy were present. q full discussion
OF the Claws statement was had II re-
suited in a general conclusion that jeal-
ousy between the bureaus Of the Inter
iOr Department and the Forestry Bureau
probabIv explained the attitude Of the
Interior Department officials. but that
the intimation Of bad faith by CLAWS
against Mr. BaIIinEer and the others re
cuired that the statement be submitted
20 them for answer Accordingly, copies
Cf the statement were sent to Secretary
BaIIInger. TO Assistant Secretary Pierce,
To Commissioner bennett. and the CHIEF
Of Field Service Schwartz
Mr.. Baililger was at Seattle, but upon
recent OF the charges he came 10 wash
fnEton 10 prepare his answer On Mon
DAY. September G. Mr.. RaIIinger reached
Beverly. accompanied by M LAWYER,
the Assistant Attorney General OF the
Department of Justice assigned to the
Interior usrzUeuU- Mr.. BaliiuEeT sent
On q
or the various persons concerned, to
Iether with a vOlunlinOus record Of ez-
hihitS- mad a conference with him in
Ihe evening o. Ire oaY ne came. Sep
teT1ber {. and then on the following ev-
eDsug, September Z
Questions Mr.. BaIinger.
Z talked over the charges with Nj
Ballin6eT the first evening. and asked
such questions as suggested them
5elves. without. intima ting any con-
clusion, and said that I would ex-
anime the answers and the record
and would see him the next day. I
sat up VI ii 3 o'clock that night
reading the answers and exhibits, so
that at my next conference I was
advised Of the contents Of-the entire
record and had made up my mind
that there was nothing in the charges
upon which Mr. Bauinger or the
others accused could be found guilty
81 either Incompetence. tnefhciency,-
hisloyaIty TO the interests Of the
Government, or dishonesty.
IN the discussions Of the second
evening. Mr.. LaWIeT, who was pres
ent at my suggestion, discussed the
evidence at some length I said to
Alr. LAWYER that I was very anxious
case. and set out the reasons for my
decision, but that the time for my
occupying Two months, was just one
week from that day that I had some
six or seven set speeches to deliver
at the beginning Of that journey.
and that ! could not give the time
70 the preparation OF UGH a detailed
Statement and opinion as I would
IKE TO render in the matter. I there
fore requested Mr. Lawler TO pre-
pare an opinion as II he were PTesi-
dent
Wired for Mr.. Wickersham.
During the Sth, sth, and 10Th I gave
such consideration 10 the CLAWS record
as was consistent with previous engage
ments. but paid no attention TO the
speeches. On the 9Th I telegraphed the
Attorney General 10 come to Beverly in
order that I might consult him in re-
Bpect TO the case He arrived there
Saturday afternoon September IL and
pursuant 10 an appointment made by
telephone, he came 10 my house early
On Sunday morning September u He
then delivered 20 me the draft opinion
prepared By Mr- Lav-lerr and said that
Re had had an opportunity on coming
from New York 10 read the answer Of
Mr. Bslii1Eer and gtE7rs. I JTeu aid
20 hin rHat ( had made up my mind
so my conclusions. and had G-af ed part
Of my opinion. a-r .a1rrI wished HIN 70
examlE= lEl f-L record and bring me-
bis cOncl-Sl IONS before 4 stated mine he
tlak the whole record away
During -.Ia day 7 evamiaed the draft
opinion Of LIr- IaWI--. but its thirty
nages did not s ate yhe cas- IN the way
in which / wished l. stated II con
tanned references TO the cv ID nee which
were useful, but its criticism Of Mr..
PinchOt and M Gla-iS. 1 did not think
Il proper or wise TO adopt I only used
a few paragraphs from II containing
merely general statements.
Conclusions n Accord
The Attorney General returned in the
evening with notes Of the examination
which ne had made, and reported TO me
the conclusions which he had reached,
which were n substantial accord with
my own We then discussed the matter
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