Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
NOT INTERESTED IN CLAIMS
Describes the Attitude of Interior
Department.
SCHWARTZ ENDS TESTIMONY
Questioned Only Regarding Shake
spearean Quotation in Reference
to Opinion of CLAWS.

finished the cross-examination of ~. II.
Schwartz. chief az the field service. az
the Balingcr- Ponchot investigation today.
and Commissioner bennett OF the land
office was called. Mr.. Schwartz was eN-
cused from the stand then. TO tho great
disappointment Of the spectators. who had
looked for some interes ing clashes be-
tween him and Mr.. Brandeis on cross-eX-
animation.
Mr.. Brandeis' one question apparentlH
had behind il the purpose OF showing thai
Secretary Ballinger's subordinat2s. in thu
absence OF specific instructions from thei'
chief, had pursued a coutse in regard to
the Alaskan coal claims that they be-
lieved would Ice pleasing to him.
Construction of Land Law.
In his testimony yesterday Mr..
Schwartz said CLAWS came here last
May and expressed himself anxious
TO obtain "A construction of the new Goa!
land law of May rs. 1908. before pro-
ceeding with the investigation OF the
Cunningham cases. He said he accom-
panied CLAWS 10 Secretary Ballinger. ana
they urged him. as a matter Of policy.
to have the matter submitted In the
Attorney General. The Secretary had
replied that he thought ii was a matte
that could be settled within the depart
ment. but that he had no objection To
its going to the Attorney General.
Schwartz said he then went away from
the city. and upon his return, Glavis
had said to him. This thing is not
right explaining To him that Assistant
Secretary Pierce had made the decision
instead Of submitting the matter to the
Attorney General
Mr.. Schwartz admitted this CONVEX
sation with CLAWS was the one 10 which
he referred in his letter of August "a,
1909, to Don Nj. Carr. private secretary
to Secretary Ballinger. when he said:
The Curse of Kings.
IF CLAWS is now playing IN with the
forest service, he probably has expressed
to them the same opinion on this matter
that he has heretofore expressed to me
that Pierce's decision was of the category
that caused King John to excaim: 1T 10
the curse of kings to be attended by
slaves that on the winking o.
authority T" understand a law.
Mr.. brandeis then asked TINS ques-
elton:
Did Mr.. CLAWS quote that expression
from King john
NO. l guess that was just the way
put it,
That is all care to ask the witness"
said the attorney.
Fred bennett, commissioner of the gen.
eral land Office. succeeded Mr.. Schwartz
on the stand and related at great length
the attitude of the Interior Department
toward coal land legislation. which has
been before Congress in recent years.
lie denied he HAD ever had any interest
i'm Alaskan coal claims
Not Backed by Guggenheim.
Mr.. bennett denied that Senator Gug-
genheim had procured his retention In
the land Office.
1T is absolutely false" he exclaimed.
There couldn't be anything falser. The
statement has been made with the evil
dent puI pose of casting the inference
that l was under the domination Of the
interests
Mr.. bennett said he was assistant CON-
missioner under Judge Baliinger and that
lie was made commissioner on recon-
mendation of Mr.. Ballinser and the In
GOrsement OF Secretary Garfield.
What relations did you have with Sen
ator Guggenheim?'
'Oh. NJ ne at all
did you ask him To 80 To the I'resi-
dent in your behalf?'
Certainly not
Mr.. bennett said he had an understand
ing with the President tina he w uld
seek no Endorsement beyoId these OF his
own senators-those from North Dakota.
Schwartz Blames CLAWS for Delay.
II. III. Schwartz, chief of the field
service, shortly after he took the wit
ness stand yesterday afternoon assumed
the full responsibility for the clear list
ing of the Cunningham claims and the
conduct Of those claims before the gen
eral land Office.
Upon Louis r. CLAWS. Mr.. Schwartz
laid the blame for the delay i'm reaching
a final disposition of the Alaska cases.
CLAWS. he said, had been gwen the
widest latitude i'm investigating them.
MIR. BalIirger. in clear listing the Gun
ningham claims when commissioner of
the general ! and Office. Mr.. Schwartz
testified. acted upon the recommended
of Schwartz, which was i'm turn laSeo
on the report of Special Agent Love.