Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-23
CHARGE CONSPIRACY
BaIIinger Defense Attacks
Forest Officials.
PRICES ALLEGED THREAT
Accused of Saying 1--WE Will Get"
Secretary.
OTIS SMITH Is ON THE STAND
Head of Geological Survey Relates
Conversations He Had With
Ptnchot and His Assistant.

With the evident purpose of showing
that there was a conspiracy between
Clifford Pinchot as chief forester and
certain Of his subordinates to accomplish
the removal Of Secretary Ballinger, the
defense" in the Ballinger- Pinchot inves-
tigation today put on the stand Director
George Otis Smith of the geological sur
vey to relate a conversation he had had
last September with Acting Forester
Price.
Mr. Smith swore that Mr.. Price had said
to him September Is. 1909, that I'VE like
you, but we don't like your chief"
Smith said he intimated in reply that
If he did not like Mr.. Ballinger he would
resign as director Of the geological sur
vey.
Promised to "Get" Secretary.
We'll. we know you are in an en-
barrassing position" said the Witness
quoting Price. but 1t won't last much
longer. If we don't get him one way
We'll get him another
ITO whom did Mr.. Price refer" in
CURED Mr.. Madison Of the committee.
'Mr. Ballinger."
The defense regards this as an inn
portant disclosure, indicating that IL Pin
chot were unsuccessful in bringing about
Ballinger's downfai. by proving the Gla-
Wis charges he was prepared to attack
him from another quarter.
Mr.. Smith occupied the stand during the
entire morning session with the exception
Of the first half hour, during which c. G.
Hoffman. former chief Of the mineral d.
vision of the land Office, told how claims
were clear listed.
Three Sessions Next Week.
Mr.. Smiths testimony dealt with the re-
lations of his department to the forest
service in conservation matters. He was
still under direct examination when the
luncheon recess was ordered.
In order to accelerate the progress OF
the inquiry, the committee decided today
to hold sessions on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday of next week.
No decision was reached regarding At
torney Brandeis' request for permission
to recall witnesses.
e. c. Hoffman. former chief of the
mineral division of the Interior Depart
ment, was the first witness to take the
stand today, and Attorney Vertrees be-
gan direct examination of the witness.
Mr.. Hoffman, whose division was one
of those which had to do with the clear
listing of the Cunningham claims, de-
scribed the various steps taken in such
a procedure. His testimony was largely
tecnulcdl III us nature, ana neither the
attorneys for the prosecution" nor men,
bers of the committee displayed much de-
sire to interrogate him.
Threatened With Publicity Club y
George Otis Smith was the next witness
called. Mr.. Smith had charge of rewith-
drawals of water power sites by Secre-
tary Ballinger.
While Mr.. Smith was telling of a dis
agreement he had with Forester Pin
chot. who he said had threatened him
with the publicity club if he failed to
carry out his conservation ideas, Chair
man Nelson interrupted:
Isn't that part of the conservation
policy?"
Il don't regard it as an essential part,
but it seems to have been part" re-
piled the witness.
Mr.. Smith then entered into denuncia-
ton of newspapers and magazines which
told only partial truths" but relieved
the publications from the responsibility
by declaring that 1.-The extravagant state
ments given out to the press have hurt
the conservation movement