Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-28
DECIDED By REPUBLICANS
Democrats on Ballinger Committee
Vote in Opposition.
BALLINGER TO TAKE STAND
His Counsel Makes Announcement
Examination of Witnesses Ends
Next Week.

The republican majority on the Bal
linger- -Pfnchot investigating committee to-
day blocked attempt by counsel for the
so-called prosecution to prove it's con-
tention that the Attorney General had
been guilty of misrepresentation in ante
dating a summary of the CLAWS charges
prepared for the President and in evi-
dence before the committee.
Following up his indictment of Mr..
Wickersham last Friday. Attorney Bran
deiS, representing l.. r. CLAWS and
others. wrote to the committee asking
for full information from the Department
Of Justice and the Interior Department
bearing on the summary and its prepara-
ton. The request was today refused.
Basis of Charge.
The summary was dated September II,
1909. two days before the date OF the
Presidents letted to Secretary BaIlenger
exonerating him from the CLAWS charges
Mr.. Brandeis claims this summary was
not really written until last December.
Mr.. Wickersham refused either to af-
firm or to deny the truth of this charge
The committee. by its action today, de-
clined to adopt any measures to compel
him to reveal the facts.
voted sOlidly in favor of permitting Mr.
Brandeis to turn the searchiight of pub
licity into this matter. The only repub-
lican who did not vote in committee to
deny 1t was Representative Madison of
Kansas. the ''insurgent'' member of the
committee, who was absent.
Mr.. Madison came In after the public
session had begun. He asked to be re-
corded as voting with the democrats.
Brandeis Pulled Up.
When Mr. Brandeis sought to protest
against summary disposition of his re-
quest without opportunity to make some
argument he was curtly reminded by
Chairman Nelson that a record vote OF
the committee had been taken and that
the incident was closed.
1t became definitely known today that
Secretary Ba.hnger wtu.d take the stand
within q few days Att.rney Vertrees,
counsel for Mr.. Ballinger, announced to
the commi tee that he expected to COM
plete his case next week. Later he said
that Mr.. Ballinger probably would go
on before the end Of this week.
George Otis Smith. director of the geo
logical survey, who was on the stand
when the committee adjourned last Sat
urday, was under examination during the
entire morning session Of the committee
today. He was questioned at great length
regarding the conservation OF water
power sites
Smith on Stand.
Before Mr. Smith resumed the stand,
Senator Root asked Attorney Vertrees,
counsel for Secretary Ballinger, how
!ong he thought it would require for him
to conclude the direct testimony of his
witnesses. Mr. Vertrees thought the end
Of next week ought to see the completion
If his case. allowing reasonable time
,or cross-examination.
Mr.. Vertrees concluded the direct ex-
animation of Mr.. Smith i'm short time.
The members of 'the committee departed
from the beaten path followed thus far
n the inquiry, and began questioning Mr..
Smith about water power sites and coal
and legislation.
He suggested legislation along these
lines and pointed out In detail his reasons
why changes should be made in the law.
This required about two hours time.
Luncheon recess was ordered before At
-orney Pepper, counsel for Mr.. Pinchot.
had had an opportunity to begin cross
examining Mr.. Smith.