The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-30

qualnted with six or seven OF the men,
but did not know at the time OF their
interest In the coal claims
He was emphatic and positive in his
direct testimony. but nothing OF a start
ling character was developed during the
earlier part OF the session. At one point
he denounced as "a willful and deliberate
lie" testimony or l. r. CLAWS. TO the
effect that he and CLAWS. in December.
1907. had discussed the personnel Of the
groups OF Alaskan coal claimants. Again
Mr. Ballinger justified the clear listing Of
the Cunningham entries
Questioned as to what ne knew about
H. X. Love and Horace T. Jones when
he came in touch with them in an Off
cial way. Mr.. Ballinger said his infor-
nation relative TO Love was favorable
but as to Jones. not altogether favorable.
IT think my lack Of confidence in Jones
has been justified by his conduct dur
ing this investigation" said Mr.. Bal
linger.
Love has been before the committee as
witness for the defense. while Jones
was one of the principal witnesses for
the prosecution. supporting L. r. CLAWS.
Both were former special agents Of the
Land Office, Mr.. Ballinger caused a rip
pie Of laughter in speaking Of Jones, by
stating that he knew Jones had been
knocking" various people, among them
his own brother-in-law.
His Valued Memorandum.
Mr. Ballinger explained his views as 10
the best way Of handling coal lands by
referring 10 a memorandum on that
question, which he prepared at the re-
quest Of President Roosevelt. When the
President read IT," said the witness. "he
said 70 me: When Garfield and Pinchot
see that they'll go up through the roof,
but 7 guess the roof is strong enough to
hold them
At the afternoon session, continuing
along that line. Mr.. BalllnEer raised an
Issue of veracity between former Secre-
tary Garfield and himself Mr.. Garfield
testified that he did not favor the Gale
bill, which embodied the BaHinger plan
OF selling coal lands instead of leasing
them, and that he had not authorized
Mr. Ballinger's appearance before COM
mittee Of Congress In support OF the bill
Mr.. Ballinger said that Mr.. Garfield. as
shown by documentary evidence. had
known all about the Gale bill and had
approved It tacitly, II not directly.
Led up TO the time Of his retirement
from the Office Of Land Commissioners.
Mr.. Ballinger suddenly raised his voice
and addressed the committee earnestly.
stamps Charges Malicious.
He said.
The aSlduous attempts q certain malicious and
malignant people 20 circulate throughout the country
the charge that carried away information that I
could use 70 the detrimcrt of the government has
not the slightest foundation iD fact.
All the information could have been used in all
fairness in any way desired without possibility !
of prejudice 20 any interests n the United State,
There vas nothing pending az the time against any
of these interests or a record which in CONTRA
veution Of the rights Of these people Cunningham
20 have their patents further than the
unique protest - this man CLAWS.
lie stated facts that could have warranted |
public officer IN holding ND claims cnccrt the sus-
ricion that there might have been something which |
might have been investigated.
Secretary BallInger said he left Office |
voluntarily. in fact. he said his retire |
ment was delightfully."- voluntary. He
then read letter from former President /
Roosevelt expressing regret at his retire |
meut
1T was the frequent remark OF the |
President" said Mr.. Ballinger. "to mu- /
tual friends that he had secured a So 900 /
man FOR Land Commissioner for s.. 900 II
was glad TO go back and try TO earn /
some Of that $1,000"
Mr.. BallinEer read also n letter Of re- /
greet az his retirement from Mr.. Garfield |
He started TO read a letter he had writ |
ten TO Mr. Garfield shortly after his re- !
turn 20 Seattle In March. 1908 The let |
ter was address to My Dear jim" He
read only the opening sentence. when his /
voice broke, and It was apparent that ne |
was about 20 break down under the |
stress OF emotion. Mr.. Vertrees there |
upon took the letter and read IT while |
Mr. Ballinger recovered self-control. !
There was a reference IN the first para |
graph TO Mr.. BaIlinger's mother. who IS |
now aged and very feeble. and II was the |
thought OF her that affected the Secre- |
tary.
incidentally there was n reference in !
the letter to the Presidential sentiment |
as Mr.. Ballinger had found It in the
West in the spring Of 1905 Mr.. Balllnger
stating that he heard a good deal Of
Hughes talk, but would get busy at once
10 build up the Taft sentiment
Mr.. Ballinger said he met Mr. Gun |
during the summer of 1905. and
later Mr. Cunningham called upon him TO !
ask his advice in connection with the
he had given CLAWS relative 10 |
the alleged or projected deal with the |
GuEgenheim syndicate.
The affidavit which 7 drew for Mr.. |
was a mere explanatory |
statement Of facts as he gave them TO |
me-" said Mr.. Baringer.
This affidavit was taken East by Mr.. 1
and laid before the then Sec |
rotary. Mr.. Garfield. at the latter's home
In Mentor. Ohio Mr.. Ballinger said he |
told Mr. Garfield all the connection he !
saw Mr. Garfield and Commissioner Den |
nett in Washington and they told him |
that the Cunningham claimants could get !
their patents II they came in under the /
May 26, 1908, statute. but otherwise they
could not get them. For this incidental |
service TO Mr.. Cunningham he received |
300 or $3.50
Mr.. Ballinger explained changes he had /
made in the personnel Of the Interior De- /
Dartment, and incidentally declared that
former Forester Pinchot had practically
dominated the public-land policy OF the
department through George w. Woodruff. |
who was Assistant Attorney General for
he department
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