Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-13
BALLINCER AND HIS POSITION
secretary's Appointment Explained
by Senator Piles.
SERVICES WERE IN DEMAND
witness Tells of ROOseveIt's Inquiries
Leading Up to selection as Qom-
missIoner--Tafts Action
Reviewed.

WASHINGTON, May 12.-Rising to
question of personal privilege, Senator
Piles has explained TO the senate the cir
cumstances under which Secretary Ball
niger had received his appointment as sec
rotary of the interior and also those under
which he had been appointed commissioner
OF the general land office. The explanation
was called forth by the intlmation OF
Attorney Brandeis. counsel for l.. II. CLAWS,
at the Ballinger- Pinchot investigation today
that Mr.. Ballinger's appointment as COM
missioner had been influenced by Mr.
Piles at the instance Of persons who were
interested in the Cunningham coal cases
mo man in the state Of Washington or
elsewhere ever suggested to me that
should recommend Judge Ballinger for
either position" said Mr. Piles. He said
that some time previous to the appointment
of commissioner, President Roosevelts
private secretary telephoned him to come
to the White House. He said when he
arrived there the president asked him II
he knew Judge Ballinger well.
Il responded that l did" said Mr. Piles,
and he questioned me concerning his
character, / told him what / thought OF
him and he said that IL Mr.. Ballnger's
appointment would not be Objectionable
to me he would be glad to have mo wire
him, as he said Secretary Garfield, who
had been a schoolmate OF Ballinger's, was
most anxious to obtain his services"
Telegram Plays Part,
Mr. Piles said he had told the president
he would take pleasure in forwarding the
telegram, but he did not believe Mr.. Bal
linger would abandon his law business to
take the place.
He asked me to urge him, strongly"
continued Mr.. Piles, because he said he
really needed such a man in that office
Complying with the presidents request, l
sent telegram strongly urging Mr. Bal
| linger's acceptance. On the next day !
received a message from Mr.. Ballinger de-
clining the appointment. When l showed
the telegram to the president he said that
Mr.. Ballinger's refusal was very regret
! table, because both he and Mr.. Garfield
wanted him for the position. He added
! that he, himself, would wire Mr.. Ballinger
| and / understood that both he and Secre-
tary Garfield had sent kilograms pleading
with him to accept the appointment al
though such act might entail personal
sacrifice"
Two or three days later Mr.. Piles said he
received a letter from Mr.. Ballinger an
nouncing his acceptance because of the
urging of the president.
These are the facts, the absolute facts
and they would be verified by Mr.. Roose-
| welt, under OATH" asserted the senator.
l respect to the appointment of Mr.. Bal
linger as secretary by President Taft, Mr.
Piles said 1t was through the newspapers
that he had received his first intimatlon
that such appointment might be made
81 subsequently saw Judge Ballinger,"
he said, land 1 asked him If he desired
the appointment of secretary. He replied he
did not, explaining that he hoped that his
friend, MT Garfield, would be reappointed
Subsequently 1 heard Mr.. Ballinger was
to be called into the cabinet but when l
spoke to my colleague, Senator Jones, on
the subject found he had not been con-
| suited any more than / had been We
Il came to the conclusion that the selection
of a cabinet officer was a family matter
with the president and no concern OF ours.
I was much gratified that one concerning
whom I thought so highly was to be given
so high position and l am still gretfied
over his appointment"
Mr.. Piles concluded the statement that
the president himself would verify all that
he Piles, had said.
CLEVELAND, May n.-James r. Garfield
stated tonight that the circumstances in
connection with the appointment of Secre-
tary of the Interior Ballinger as commits
sioner of the land office as related in the
senate today by Senator Piles of Washing
ton were substantially correct.
ut is true" said Mr.. Garfield, that |
|, recommended the appointment Of Mr.. Bal
linRer at that time to Mr. Roosevelt. MY
recommendation was known as there never
was any secret in connection with 1t. Al
| hot hay sin trap
pired are concerned cannot say anything
nor do care to discuss them in any way
VnIINE pEkRcE kN0cKEn