Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-03
bALL|NGER WILL SUE
Promises to Prosecute COL
Iier's Weekly for Libel.
MADE ANGRY BY ATTACKS
Malicious, Villainous, Untruthful,"
He Declares.
TRADUCERS TO BE PUNISHED
Charged With Unprofessional Con-
duct, But Exonored When Accused
Before Seattle Bar.

IF they think they can attack me with
impunity. they are mistaken" said Rich
ard A. Ballinger. Secretary Of the In
terror, yesterday. referring to the pub
lications concerning him which are ap-
pearing In Golfers Weekly.
He announced enlphatically that he pro-
posed to bring them to justice In due
time
While Mr.. Ballinger would not indicate
when or in what form proceedings in la "
would be instituted against the periodical,
he said IF he lived long enough it would
suffer ell the penalties the law will war
rant
Professional Dishonor Charged.
The statement that he intended seeking
redress through the medium Of the courts
was made in discussing the article in the
current Issue of Golfers, headed BAL
linger-Shyster, In which the Secretary
Of the Interior is accused of an "unpar-
donable breach Of professional honor in
connection with bankruptcy proceeding
IN the United States district court in
Seattle.
For the malicious. villainous and un-
truthful attacks, Of which this is sim
ply another chapter" he said. II propose
to bring them to justice.
Every suggestion they make" he
added. has been thoroughly covered by
testimony and orders of the United
States district court for the district OF
Washington. northern division. ex-
onerating me from the slightest sus-
picion of any irregularity or impro
priety.
Campaign of Vilifcation."
"They have deliberately sent THAR
agents and enissaries throughout the
country to traduce me by campaign
Of vilification that is not warranted
by any facts whatsoever. If they think
they can attack me with impunity they
are mistaken"
The article in yesterdays issue of Col
lier's presents charges against Mr.. Bal
linger in connection with his relations as
attorney several years ago for Heck
mann & Hanson, sElpbuilders at Seattle,
Wash. The article Intimates that Mr..
Ballinger acted in bad faith toward his
clients and charges him with IAN unpar-
donabie breach of professional honor"
After the shipbuilding FIRMS affairs had
been wound up. II lis alleged that an ef-
fort was made by Hickman to have his
case reopened, believing that his firm
had not been fairly dealt with.
1t is charged that the referee Of the
federal court appointed to inquire into
tue 1ndLl6T DS JuUSc C I1hHlOIUs WIG
is described as close friend Of Mr.. Bal
linger, ''whitewashed" the Secretary of
the Interior and the other attorneys con-
cerned.
Finch Charges Not Sustained.
Later, II was said, Jeroid L. Finch, at
torney for Hickman & Hanson in the
later proceedings, filed a petition in Judge
Hanford's court. asking for the disbar-
ment of Mr.. Ballinger and the other at
torneys. 1t was referred to the bar as
sociation, which. it was charged. white
washed" Mr.. Ballinger. but refused to
take any action against Finch.
In refutation of these charges Mr.. Bal
linger exhibited certified copies of the pro-
ceedings in the federal courts in Seattle,
in which he was exOnerated by Judge
Hanford, the master in chancery, and q
committee Of the federal bar association,
Of the charges preferred by Finch.
In denying the petition to reopen the
case, Judge Hanford said the accusation
against Mr.. Ballinger was mot sup
ported by a scintlla Of evidence
The committee of the bar association
which exonerated Mr.. Ballinger stated
the charges were without foundation and
were made without sufficient investiga-
ton Of the facts. The committee said
that Mr.. Finch had not been actuated
by malice in making the allegations, and
for that reason he should not be dis
barred, but stated that he Justly de-
serves the censure of the bar of the fed
eral court"