Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-25
WILL BALt|NG[R our!
RuMoR PERSISTS THAT sEcRE-
TARY WILL RETIRE FROM
OFFICE.
ANXIOUS TO RETURN TO
HIS PRACTICE AS ATTORNEY
Much Speculation in Washington Over
Action Of Gussenheim Interests in
Barring Its Connection With Alaskan
Coal Land Decentralization Move
Congress to Action.

4
Of Secretary of the Interior Ballinger
! it is whispered that he intends, when
the congressional committee now in
vestigating his official conduct shall
the cabinet and re-enter law practice.
| His friends say the only thing that
has kept Ballinger in office this long,
is his desire not to have his enemies
put false construction on his resigna-
ton, nor give them a chance to in
sinuate that he stepped down because
of pressure.
There is much speculation in Wash
ington now as to what was the motive
Of the Morgan-Guggenheim syndicate
in recently barring to the public gaze
it's operations in Alaskan coal lands.
especially in making known its connec-
ton with the Cunningham claims.
The testimony of Stephen Birch and
John n. Steele, directors Of the syndi-
cate, before the senate committee on
territories, came at moment when 1t
materially strengthened the case Of the
prosecution in the Ballinger- Pinchot
squabble. as bearing out in full the
contention of L. r. CLAWS that the
Morgan Guggenheim interests were be-
hind Clarence Cunningham in his at
tempt to secure patent to valuable
Alaskan coal lands.
Testimony given by Birch and Steele
brought out the information that 1t was
not until December, 1907, that the syn
dictate took hold of the Cunningham
cases, and their intimation was that it
was Daniel Guggenheim who executed
the agreement altho the cases were at
that time practically ready for patent.
Shortly after this, orders previously
made, looking to the patent of these
claims, were countermanded. Since
that time, Jan. 90, 1908, the Cunning
ham cases have remained in statu quo.
Glaves has testified that he believed
that the Morgan Guggenheim interests
were behind Cunningham as far back
as 1904 or 1905.
Birch and Steele to Be Hoard.
Birch and Steele have requested per-
mission to make statements before the
committee, and Chairman Nelson has
signified his willingness to hear them
after evidence, now arranged for. is
in. The committee will hold its next
session Friday.
The recent testimony concerning the
value of coal in Alaska given before
the senate committee on territories by
Birch has resulted in a movement In
the senate in the interest OF the per-
manent retention of the title to/the
Alaska coal deposits in the United
States. Bills looking to that end were
introduced by Senator Beverage,
chairman of the committe on terri
tories.
One Of the measures provides FOR the
withdrawal from every form OF entry
or sale all the coal deposits of Alaska
The. other bill arranges for the leasing
OF the property. The latter legislation
prohibits the rental of more than $500
acres to more than one person or asso-
citation, or for more than thirty years
It is provided that the surface over
lying coal deposits may be disposed OF
under the land laws.
In presenting the bills Mr.. Beverage
spoke Of Mr. Brch's revelations and in
addition presented many other figures
to show the extraordinary value OF the
Alaskan coal deposits, which he pre-
dicted would be needed in time not
only by the Pacific coast, but by the
entire country. He placed the gross
valuation of the Boring river and
Matanuska deposits at 100000
and said that the researches OF the
geological survey had revealed many
other deposits in the territory. He gave
Ii, 900 100000 as the total tonnage of the
territory. On Mr.. Beveridge's request,
the bills were referred to the committe
on public lands.