The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-11

Of spirit by the fact that his mind had
been poisoned against him by mlsstate-
ments.
"Mr BallInger was in error" said Mr..
GARFIELD. II made every effort to obtain
the facts before writing to the presi-
dent
Confesses Ignorance.
Attorney Pepper also read into the rec
ord an exchange of letters between Sec
retary Ball;nger and Assistant Secretary
these that Senator Guggenhelm had
asked to have certain lands at La Junta.
set apart as an arid park, the with
drawal to be made under the supervisory
power as with water power sites. Mr..
Ballinger directed that the withdrawal be
made.
What is an arid park?'" asked SEN
ator Root.
II don't know"
Maybe It is the same as dry town."
suggested Representative Olmstead,
Mr., Garfield next was examined as to
the plan he adopted OF cooperating with
water users associations MS 10 reclama
tion projects and the issuance by him
of reclamation certificates" which came
The certificates were given as evil
dences OF work done on projects. the
certificates to be turned in In payment
of water charges when water was deliy-
cred on the land.
Secretary Balinger, acting under an
opinion OF Attorney General Wickersham
stopped the practice,
Mr., Garfield charged today that neither
Mr. Wickersham nor President Taft had
the facts and complete information be-
fore them on which to base proper de-
cison to the certificates.
The witness was asked If the $50, 000-
600 Issue OF bonds recommended by
President Taft was not made necessary
to relieve hardships growing out OF the
Nnr-nr rtN.n MIA 40. II In nrol
posed Issue OF bonds would cover a much
wider field OF reclamation than that be-
gun under his administration OF the in
tertcr department.
Committee Surprised,
"In fact" declared Mr.. Garfield much
10 the surprise Of the committee, II don't
at all"
But aren't there hardships growing
out OF the present status Of the project?"
asked Senator Sutherland.
In Individual cases. yes. They result
from failure on the part OF the entry
men TO appreciate the difficulties of de-
veloping irrigated lands and from their
going on the land long before the projects
could he completed and water turned on
doing this and went at their own hazard
The government is not responsible for
their plight"
Mr. Garfield said he was not certain
that a bond issue. as now proposed
would hurry up the projects TO proper
completion any faster than would be pos
by the sale OF public lands.
MANY OF the projects are expert
mental" said the witness, "and 1t is a
serious question as to whether 1t would
land allows. Physically. the projects
could be completed at a much earlier
date by, a bond issue. but doubt II 1t
would decrease the cost"
''But the law makes DrOyision for
payments in labor instead Of money, does
it?" asked Senator Nelson.
mo"
The witness then declared that during
the time the certificates were being ia
sued there were funds available to carry
no the work, The certificates were in
reality he said. simply method OF keep
Ing books, There was no effort TO aug
mcnt the reclamation fund by certifi-
Gates.
Mr.. Garfield declared Attorney General
Wickersham had held that the co-opera-
tive contracts win be valid II there were
funds available for the work
HE evidently had in mind the Idea
that there were no funds available" con-
tinued Mr.. Garfield when as a matter
Of fact some $2.0onoo0 was available all
the time"
Attorney Pepper here concluded his
examination, but Attorney Brandeis in
terroeated the witness further concerning
the Cunningham claims.
Denies Having Conference.
Secretary Ballnger. In his reply to
President Taft. stated that when he re-
ceiyed CLAWS protest against the clear
listing of the Cunningham claims he
brought the matter TO the attention OF
Assistant Secretary Garfield. as Govern
or Moore one OF the claimants. already
had asked Mr., Garfield that the patents
be held UP and that the secretary agreed
| with him.
"Do you recall any such conference
with Commissioner Ballinger?" asked Mr.
| Brandeis.
II don't ] may have seen Governor
Moore at some time. but to the best
Of my recollection, ! had no conference
with Commissioner Ballinger as to the
patents In the Cunningham cases"
| $50. II the patents were suspended. the
| action was taken by Mr., Ballinger or