Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-04-29
BALL|NGER ON
THE STAND
They Knew | Would En-
force the Law and
Ibid"
LED AN ANTI-v|CE CRUSADE
Secretary of the Interior Tells
Simply Story of His
Career.

Washington, April 29.-Secretary
Ballinger took the stand soon after
the Ballinger-Pinchot inquiry began
this morning and Mr.. Vertrees at once
launched into a direct examination of
the cabinet officer.
Mr.. Ballinger recounted the story of
his career up to the time be became
commissioner of the general land Of
flee on the earnest solicitation of
President Roosevelt, Secretary Gar
field and Senator Piles. He revert
ed to the anti-vice crusa4e, he led,
while mayor Of Seattle
They knew I would enforce the
law, and I did," he said emphatically.
Mr. Vertrees asked Mr. Ballinger
whether he knew any Of the Cunning
ham Alaskan coal claimants, at the
time be become commissioner. He
said he is not aware that he knew
any Of them at that time, but had
since discovered that he knew six
whom he named.
Did you have any interest in Alas
kan lands" asked Mr.. Vertrees. Il
had no interest in Alaskan or any 9TH
er lands whatsoever, either directly
or indirectly" answered Mr. Ballinger
with emphasis. Mr.. Ballinger also
said his firm represented no one in
Alaska, with the possible exception Of
Watson, lumberman, who had some
interest in placer gold diggings
around Nome, and the Pioneer Min
ing Company, organized in 1904 and
1905, largely by Scandinavians, whose
interests are around Nome. He then
told of having come to Washington
and of the interview he had at the
White House with President Roose-
welt soon after his arrival Raising
his voice, Mr.. Ballinger said: "The
President said to NE as he greeted
me; L have no apologies to make, Bal
linger, I'm glad you are here, any man
who could clean up Seattle as you
did. can clean up that land Office"
Mr.. Ballinger then described how
he climbed up" the land office relat-
ing in detail the many changes he had
made and the innovations he had in
troduced. Explaining why he put H.
X. Love in charge of the Alaskan coal
cases instead of H. T. Jones, another
special agent, Mr. Ballinger said he
lacked confidence in Jones. His ac-
tion before this committee justifies
my opinion said Mr.. Ballinger.
Jones testified against Ballinger at
the inquiry.
Mr.. Vertrees referred Ballinger to
the CLAWS testimony before the COM
mittee, that they had talked about sew
eral specific groups of Alaska coal
claims. That's a wilful and deliver
ate lie,'' exclaimed Ballinger. He said
they discussed the situation in gener-
al but he knew nothing about any
groups. Mr.. Vertrees called the wit
nesses' attention to the matter of the
clear listing" of the Cunningham en-
tries by his order as commissioner in
January, 1908 Mr.. Ballinger said he
and the chief of the field division,
Schwartz, had COVE over the report on
the claims, made by H. K Love in
August, 1907, and decided that the
claims were entitled to patent. Il
want to say right here, now,' said Mr..
Ballinger, IF | were passing over
some claims today with the same rec
ord before me, l would say that they
were entitled to be clear listed.'
Did you represent any of the Cum
ningham claimants?" asked Mr.. Ver-
trees.
I never had any professional or
legal business with the men listed as
Cunningham entrymen," responded
Mr.. Ballinger
Mr.. Ballinger was still on the sub
ject of the Alaskan coal claims when
a recess was taken.
Increase in Postoffce Receipts.
Washington, D. c., April 29.-The
statement of gross postal receipts at
the fifty largest offices during the
month of March reflects a decided i'm
provement in business throughout the
country, compared with the same
month last year. Only one Office re-
ported decrease in receipts, that be-
ing at Nashville, Tenn.-the decrease
being 5.44 per cent compared with the
same month in 1909. The postmaster
at Nashville could give no cause for
the decrease.
Inc total percentage of increase in
gross receipts for March was 14.70
compared with the same month of
1909, when it was 14.5O per cent great
er than the same month in 1908. At |
the fifty offices during March 1910, the !
total gross receipts amounted to s10-