Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-02-19
ATTORNEY SEEKS FOR
MOTIVE OF NESS
Says He Sought Assistance at Hands
OF OXFORD Pinchot Because He Had
Faith IN Him and Knew He Was
STRENGTHENING at Spokane is
Gone Into at Length.
SBy Associated press.)

(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Feb 1S.-
Louis X. CLAWS was again under cross
examination all OF today before the
Ballinger- Pinchot investigating CON-
mittee and when adjournment was
taken until tomorrow morning there
was no indication that John J. Yer
tres. counsel for Secretary Bailluger,
was approaching the eD.l OF his con-
slant fire of interrogatinns.
The late afternoon session was de-
voted to an inquiry into the motives
of Mr.. CLAWS in seeking the assist
alce of Clifford Piachot. CLAWS says
he went to him because he had faith
in him and felt he was absolutely
sincere.
Mr.. Vertres explained several of his
long questions today by the state
ment that he was searching out the
motives of the witness to ascertain
whether they were innocent Or mall
cious.
A crcss examination of the witness
as to his meeting with CHORD Pinchot
at Spokane, Washington. in August
of last year, then was begun.
CLAWS ssss he told his story to sir.
Pinchot and that the latter called IN
! Ex-Governor Hardee, of California.
But up to the time OF your meet
ing Mr.. Pinchot. all that you wanted
had been granted, had it not?"
Yes"
Not Right Kind.
What was there to be gained in
presenting the case 60 Mr.. Pinehot?
The forestry had already interviewed
and your requests had already been
granted.
Il thought that in view of all the
facts and the difficulty had had IN
getting a postponement of the case;
that in view of the letters written cy
Dennet and his action throughout the
proceedings, that 1t would be only a
| little while until the cases were
brought Up again to be decided be-
fore either Mr.. bennett or Mr.. Bal
finger. and | did not think they were
fit people to render decision"
Chairman Nelson: did you think
the forestry could get In the cases!
No sir"
What we're your reasons for go
ing?"
| Il did no; think the heads OF the
interior department and land Offices
we're men who could be depended
upon to protect the governments IN
/ terests."
| Senator Root-"You believed the
remedy was removal from Office OF
these two men and you wanted Mr..
Pinchot to help you in ibst?"
1t was not quite that said Ga
Wis: Il did not know exactly what TO
DO. ! wanted to get some good ad-
vice"
Had you ever gene to him bcfcre?'
asked Mr.. Ve11res.
| No
| Wrote the Letter.
When you sought 20 get the tor
estry 10 intervene IN these cases and
before going to SEE NJ. Pinchot.
hadn't you written a letter to ASSIST
ant Law Officer Shaw of the forest
service in which you said: Another
point involved TO which ycor ATTENTION
Is called Is thai the entire aeid has
been Withdrawn from all forms Of en-
try. Therefore. should these filings
be cancelled. THREE would be, no op-
pcrtunity for other filings to be made.
This would eBaLlc the forest service
to secure certain legislation. which
would enable il 20 control the output
Of coal IN = similar manner 20 that
which they arc nov disposinr Of the
umbc-'Z'
Yes sir
NJ. ycrtTes asked CLAWS 70 detail
the acts of Nr. IssilinSer whiIc CIT
Of the government service thai he con-
sidccd improper. Mr.. Bsilingcr re-
signed as commissioner q the land
Office March Z. 1908. and did not Be
me secretary Of the iu'srior unfii
March ~. 1893.
Improper Acts
His FRS act replied CLAWS. was
when hc returned from Washington "a
Seattle. where coufcTred viii him
and told him u the evidence I NJ
Occurring IN the Alaska cascs. aud hav.