Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-24
Conspiracy Involving Clifford Pinchot
and Subordinates Alleged by
Defense.
GEORGE OTIS SMITH ON STAND
Tells of Conversation with Acting
Forester Price.
REPEATS STATEMENT OF LATTER
eve Like You, but We Do Not Like
Your Chief"
REPEATS STATEMENT OF LATTER
FURTHER PLOTTING AvERREr
Witness Quotes Him M Saying, "It
We Don't Get Him, BalIinEer,
One way We VIM An
other"

WASHINGTON, April 23-With the evil
dent purpose of showing there was a CON
spiracy between Clifford Pinchot as chief
forester and certain OF his subordinates to
accomplish the removal of Secretary Bal
linger, the defense in the Baninger-
Pirchot investigation today put on the
stand DR.. George Otis Smith of the geo.
logical survey to relate a conversation he
had last September with Acting Forester
Price.
Mr.. Smith swore Mr.. Price had said to
him that I'VE like you. but we don't ike
your chief"
Smith said he intlmated in reply that II
he did not like Mr.. Ballinger he would
resign as director of the geological survey.
We'll, we know you are in an embar-
raising position" said the witness, quot
ing Price, but it won't last much longer.
II we don't get him one way Wen get
him another"
The defense" regards this an important
disclosure, indicating that IL Plnchot were
unsuccessful IN bringing about Ballingers
| downfall by proving the CLAWS charges,
he was prepared to attack him from an
! other quarter.
How Claims Were Located.
/ Mr.. Smith occupied the stand during the
entire morning session with the exception
of the first half hour. during which e.
/ c. Heltman. former chief Of the mineral
division of the land office. told how claims
were clear listed.
/ Mr.. Smiths testimony dealt with the
relations OF his department to the forest
service in conservation matters. He was
stin on the stand under direct examina-
tlon when the luncheon recess was taken.
In order to accelerate the progress Of the
inquiry. the committee decided today to
| hold sessions on Thursday Friday and
Saturday of next week.
Three Sessions a week.
Chairman Nelson announced at the
opening of today's session that the COM
,nittee had decided in an executive session
to-day to hold sessions, Thursday, FRIDAY
and Saturday of next week NO decision
was reached regarding Attorney Brandeis
request for permission to recall witnesses
Mr.. Heltman. whose division was one OF
those which had to do with the 'cleaI
listing OF the Cunningham claims. de-
soribed the various steps taken in such
procedure. His testimony was largely
technical in its nature and neither the at.
torneys for the prosecution" nor mem.
bers of the committee displayed much de-
sire to interrogate him.
George Otis Smith, director Of the geo.
logical survey which is under the Interior
department was the next witness called
Mr.. Smith had charge Of rewithdrawal.
OF water power sites by Secretary Baliln
ger.
While Mr. Smith was telling of dis
agreement he had with Forester Pinchot
who, he said, had threatened him with tn,
publicity club If he failed to carry ou
his conservation Ideas Chairman Nelson
interrupted:
isn't that part of the conservation
poHcyg' 49,
Il don't regard 1t as an essential part
! but it seems to have been a part re
piled the witness.
Mr Smith then entered into a denuncia
ton of newspapers and magazines whicl
told only partial truths" but relieved tn
puohcations from the responsibility by de
' olarlng that the extravagant statement
! given out to the press have hurt the con
servation movement.
! Mr. Smith told of a conversation ba hs,
! with Assistant Forester Price on senten,
Der Is, 1909. Mr.. Price was then actin
: forester in the absence of Mr.. Pinehot
4 Mr. Price said to me when l entere
i nus offiee: You're all right. Smith. but
q uoht Ike your chief. said Mr.. Smith
When l told him that didn't come owe
n TO discuss that he said again. You're 81
!, right but don't Hike your chief
n "we win Get Him."
replied that IL he did not like m,
coat I would take it off Price then ne
Piled oh, I realize you are in an enbar
RAISING position, but 1t won't last long. /
: we don't get him one way, we win an
other.'" w ~
TO whom did Mr., Price. refer?" in
quired Mr. Madison OF the committee
h MI Baliinser," replied the witness.
9 Calls BaIlinEer ''YeIIOVv Dog"
Il AZ the afternoon session Director smit
g told OF a meeting with Pinchot in the lat
:. ter's office on July %. 1909. during whic
e the chief forester had charged him wit
: downright disloyalty'' to his former chic
4 Mr. Garfield. He said Pinchot accused mr.
IS or giving out newspaper Interviews IRE
e fleeting on the last administration" on IN
y subject Of water power sites ana othe
public land matters.