Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-01

work was to sign perfunctorily whatever
the director brought to him.
why haven't you made change:
asked Attorney VertreeS.
Because I've had my hands up foI
months and haven't been able to get them
down. responded Mr.. Ballinger with
great emphasis.
Retention of Perkins.
The so-called "black tent affair." was
brought to Mr.. Ballinger's attention
Both Director Newell and Engineer Davis
had testified that E. T. Perkins, purchas-
ing agent at Chicago Tor the service, had
received $500 a month for period of -four
months from the Hartman interests fol
delivering lectures and that other rail
roads had complained about it. They said
the matter was called to Mr. Ballinger'
attention and that he sent two men tC
Chicago to investigate. but that it no,
only resulted in Perkins retention, but il
his being placed at the head of the of
flee. Mr.. Newell had testified that Mr.
Ballinger had rebuked him for writing tC
Perkins suggesting his resignation.
Mr.. Newell has stated that you hac
instructed him that nothing should be
done which reflected on Perkins. Is thai
true?" asked Mr.. Vertrees of the witness
'There is not particle OF truth in it,
replied Mr.. Ballinger. Il had no desire
whatever to shield Mr.. Perkins. l sent
out two competent men from the depart
ment to investigate the matter and as a
result of their inquiry / found there were
no sufficient charges to warrant me IN
removing Mr.. Perkins or in seeking his
resignation"
Mr.. Ballinger said that Perkins became
the head of the office in the reorgani-
cation because Newell and Davis had
diSorganized it So He made no reference
to rebuking Newell for suggesting Per-
kins' resignation and was not questioned
oil c
statement that he thought every man
in the service regarded it as distinctly
demoralizing to permit any man to re-
ceive money from corporation with
which we are doing business"
On several other matters Mr. Bal
Iinger contradicted the testimony of both
Newell and Davis In one instance he
said Mr.. Davis misunderstood him"
Withdrawing Power Sites.
Attorney Vertrees then took up the
matter of Withdrawals. In response to
his questions, Mr.. Ballinger said the re-
firing secretary, Mr.. Garfield, had made
a large number of so-called blanket with
drawals of power sites in February, 1909,
but had said nothing to him about them.
After the witness assumed office the
matter was brought to his notice, he
said, by a number of settlers who want
department to complain about the with
draWalS.
II asked the reclamation service for
information said Mr.. Ballinger, land
was informed that Garfield had made the
withdrawal under the supervisory power
vested in him by the reclamation act ]
did not know there was any such power
and began to investigate. / failed to
find where Mr.. Garfield had any authority
to withdraw those lands. The doctrine
was not sound law to me under the Con-
stitution.'
Did you order the reclamation service
to recommend the restoration of these
lands as testified by Mr.. Newell and Mr.
Davis?" asked Mr.. Vertrees.
mo, I made no such order at any
time." replied Mr.. Ballinger. ''All res
torations came down from the reclama-
ton service in regular form without any
specific direction from me.
Mr.. Ballinger added that the officials
of the reclamation service probably con-
strued the discussions they had had with
him on the matter as instructions, as he
was clearly of the opinion that the with
drawals were illegal and that the with
drawn lands should be restored to entry.
At this juncture the committee adjourn
ed until next Thursday morning at 10
o clock.