The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1910-04-29
BALLINGER
A WITNESS

Washington, April 29.-Secretary
Ballinger took the witness stand soon
after uhe Ballinger-P Pinchot inquiry
began this morning and Mr.. Vertreee
at once launched into a direct exami-
nation of the cabinet officer.
NJ Ballinger recounted the story
of his career up to the tine ne be
came commissioner of the general
land Office on the earnest solicitation
of President Roosevelt. Secretary Gar
field and Senator Pyles. He referred
to the anti-vice crusade he led while
mavor of Seattle.
They knew I would enforce the
law. and / did," he said emphatically.
Mr.. Vertrees asked MIR. Ballinger
whether ne. knew any of the Cunning
ham Alaskan coal claimants at the
time he became commissioner. He
sand ne was not aware he knew any
OF them at tnat tine. but had since
discovered he knew six of them he
named
did Won have any interest in the
Alaskan lands ?" asked Mr.. Vertrees.
Il had no interest i'm the Alaskan
or any other lands. whatsoever, eth
er directly or indirectly" answered
Mr.. Ballinger with emphasis.
Mr.. BalhnEer also said that mis-
Arm represented no one in Alaska with
rhe possible exception of the Watson
Allen Lumber Co, which had some
interests in placer gold digging L
round Nome and the Pioneer Mining
Company. organized in 1904 OF 1905.
largely by Sca1dinaNians. whose in
terests were around Nome.
lie ther told of having come to
Washington and of the interview ne
had in the White House with Presi-
dent Roosevelt sooa after his arrival.
Raising his voice Mr.. Ballinger said:
The President said to me as he
greeted me. I have no apologies to
make Ballinger. ] am glad YOU are
here. Any man VINO could clean up
land office
Mr.. Ballinger then described how
he Cleaned cIp the land Office" relat-
ing in detail the many changes he
had -naae xnd the innovations he in
tToduceo, explaining Why ne put P.
X. Love la charge of the Alaskan
coal cases instead of s. II. II. Jones.
another special agent. Mr.. Ballinger
"His action before this committee
justiiies my opinion" said Mr. Ball
tnger. Jones testified against Balling-
er at the inquiry.
Mr.. vertrees referred Ballinger To |
CLAWS testimony before the commit |
tee that they had talked about sew
eral specific groups of Alaskancoal
claims
"That was a willful and deliberate |
lie." exclaimed Baliinger He said
they had talked of the situation in |
general. but ne knew nothing abolt |
any groups.
Mr.. vertrees called the attention /
of the witness to the matter of the
"clear listing" of the Cunningham en-
tries by his orders as commissioner
I'm january. 1908. Mr.. Ballinger said
that he and the chief of the field di-
vision, Schwartz. had gone over the
report on the claims made by III. X.
Love in August, 1907. and decided
that the claims were entitled to pat
ent. and IT want to say right here
now" said Mr.. Ballinger, that il |
were passing over the same claims
today with the same record before
me would say they were entitled to
be clear listed"
did you represent any of the Cum
nfnEh&n clainauts?" asked Mr.. Yer
trees.
II never had anv professional or
legal business with men listed as Gun
ninsham entrymen." responded Mr..
BaIlinger.
Mr. Ballinger was still on the sub
iect of the ALASKAN coal claims when
recess was taken.