The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-02-26
PORTER'S BAZAAR,
Pensacola, Fla.

Wis told him about it. 1t is claimed
that it was on this report of August 2
that Commissioner Ballinger in 1908
ordered the Cunningham claims to be
clear listed for patent.
cORROBoRATED CLAWS.
Jones corroborated the testimony
given by CLAWS as to his efforts to get
the Alaska cases taken up by the
grand jury at Seattle. CLAWS was
criticized in Attorney General Wick
ersham's report to the president for
not having done anything toward a
criminal prosecution.
Jones corroborated what CLAWS had
testified to as to the statement made
by Donald A. Mckenzie, that the rea-
son James R. Garfield was not retained
in Mr.. Taft's cabinet was because of
his hostility to the Alaska coal claims.
They wanted some one in the cabi-
net who understood the needs of Alas
ka," Mckenzie said, according to an
affidavit made by Jones' and CLAWS.
Jones said he and CLAWS felt that if
Mckenzie and other claimants in Alas
ka had power enough to remove a cabi-
net officer they themselves would be
removed If their reports didn't suit"
The witness criticized Special Agent
James M. Sheridan, who was sent by
the land office to supplant Claws IN
conducting hearings on, the Alaska
cases.
HE just went in,' said Jones, "and
at the beginning Of the hearing threw
the Cunningham journal and all our
affidavits on the table and said that
was a prima facie case. The other
side Immediately asked for a recess,
during which they examined all our
evidence, every bit of our case, and
then when we resumed the hearing
the witnesses all denied that they
meant what they said in the affidavits.
Sheridan's conduct was such as to give
the other side the advantage of know.
ing in advance all the evidence we
had"
Jones said Sheridan was graduated
only a year or two ago from a law
school in Washington and was receiv.
ing at the time Of those hearings a
salary of $1,000 or $500 a year.
QUESTIONED BY FLETCHER.
Jones said Sheridan's conduct of
the case nullified the affidavits. Sen
ator Fletcher said:
DO you mean to say to this com.
mittee that there had been no serious
prosecutions of these cases up to this
time?"
1T was serious to the extent of the
inability of the prosecutor. I don't
mean to say there was any purpose or
intent to smooth the cases over"
Did you indicate to the department
your objections to the matter in which
the cases were being prosecuted?"
NO." replied the witness, and then
added or1oid
thought was insubordinate."
Jones said 1t would have been alb
surd for claimant to say that he had
not intended to combine with the
others, for it would not have been pos.
sible for anyone to work a single
claim Of 100 acres.
Representative DENLY asked:
Then why should anyone take up
these claims if they. can't work them
themselves and it is unlawful to have
intent to combine with others?"
That's what I've been trying to find
out" replied the witness.
Jones said Sheridan had refused to
ask many questions suggested by the
witness for use in cross examination
telling Jones: You can go on the
stand at. the finish and rebut all you
want"
Mr.. Brandeis wanted to introduce
certain excerpts Of the forestry bureau
copy of the Cunningham hearings. ito
show the incompetency of Mr.. Sheri
dan to conduct so important a case"
Senator Root commended that the en-
tire record, and not merely excerpts
should go in, and the committee sc
ordered.
NOT CORRUPT.
DO you mean to charge that Sheri
dan was incompetent or corrupto" de
| manded Senator Nelson of the witness
I think he was unwise in his con
duct of the case. think he is bright
and competent don't believe he was
corrupt" Jones added that wher
Sheridan was cautioned against lead
! ing witness, he replied:
| I wasn't leading him; | was only
trying to indicate to him what his
answer was expected to be-"
| Jones is a lawyer himself.
| Jones said that while CLAWS is not
| a lawyer. he knows more law than
| Sheridan"
! Attorney Vertrees, cross-examinino
! the witness. asked if he wanted an nm
favorable inference drawn from his
statements as to the testimony being
taken before a commissioner rather
| than before the register and receive,
| of the Juneau land office. Mr.. Bran
deis attempted to object
objection overruled," said Senatoi
Nelson. We're going to let every
thing in here. You set the examine
at the beginning"
Il beg your pardon" shouted Mr.
1 T2Tor1