The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-30
Secretary of the Interior Does
Not Mince Words After
Taking the Stand.
DENIES ANY INTEREST
IN ALASKAN LANDS
Would Not Change Course Pur-
sued if Same Conditions
We're Presented Today.

WASHINGTON, April 29.-Taking
the stand in his own defense, Secretary
Ballinger today asserted under oath to
the Ballinger Pinchot investigating com
mittee that he would take the same ac
tiou today that he did as commissioner
of the general land office in ordering
the Cunningham Alaska coal claims
'fclear listed.' provided he had the
same record before hIm,
"It's wilful, deliberate lie" he
snapped when Mr. Nertrees asked as
TO the truth Of CLAWS statement to the
committee that he had discussed Gun
nlngham claims with Ballinger in De.
cember. 1907. He related several in
stances III which former President
Roosevelt had indicated confidence in
him.
Mr. Balllnger was still on the subject
Of Alaskan coal claims when the midday
recess was taken. The examination now
passes from the CLAWS charges 10 Bal
linGer's differences with Forester Pin.
chot over the restoration To entry by
hlm of water power sites and his attl,
tude toward conservation in general.
"A social event would hardly have at
tracted larger proportion Of women
than attended the hearing today. Mrs
Balllnger was there, accompanied hy
Mrs. Wickersham, wife of the attorney
general. Mrs. Pinchot. mother of the
former forester and Mrs Justice Lur-
ton also were there
SECRETARY Ballinger took the stand
soon after the inquiry began this morn
ing and his attorney, Mr.. Vertrecs. at
once launched into the direct examina.
ton of the cabinet officer.
Brandeis Reviews Request
Before Mr.. Bsningcr took the stand
Attorney Brandes stated 10 the commit
tee that in view Of Tho fact that Mr.. Bal
linger was about 10 testify he would IiIlo
TO again call the committees attention "a
nus request Tor papers and memoranda
bearing on the attorney generals sum
mary OF the CLAWS charges He said ha
would like TO renew his request in modf-
ned FORM as he needed the papers In the
cross eNamination OF Mr.. Ballinger. ArLcr
considerable discussion the commIttoe de.
c!ded 10 grant the opposition counsel a
nearing on the request tomorrow
MI. Sailinser then was sworn and re
counted the story OF his career up to the
lime he became commissioner general OF
the land office on the earnest solicitation
| OF President Roosevelt. Secretary Car
| field and Senator Piles. He referred II
| the anti-vice crusade he led while mayo,
OF Seattle "''''o may "
They knew I would enforce the law
and did; he stated emphatically.
Mr.. Rallingcr read telegrams he had
| received from Mr.. Garfield and Mr. Roose-
welt after he had replied negatively TO y
suggestion OF Senator Piles that he ac-
| cept the post OF commissioner of the la nd
Office. Reading from the Roosevelt tele.
| gram he said
1T is your duty to help nc. You and
Garfield will lift an immense burden from
II was then, Mr.. Ballinger said that he
decided TO accept the post and Mr.. Yer.
| trees asked the witness whether his rcla
| lions with Mr. Garfield then were friendly
"Fricndly. but never Intimate | knew
| Mr., Garfield In college"
Mr.. Vertrees asked Mr. Ballingoi
whether he knew any OF the Cunningham
| Alaskan coal claimants at the time he be
| came commissioner. He said he was mo-
aware he knew any of them at that time
| but had since discovered that he knew
about six Of them. whom he MINED.
Denies Interest in Lands.
'Did you have any interest in Alaskan
landsp" asked Mr.. Vertrces
II had no interest in Alaskan or an!
other lands whatsoever. either directly o.
Indirectly" retorted Mr.. Balinger. EN-
| pha tlca1ly.
| What professional relations did YOU o
your law firm have at that time will
! II don't recall that we represented any
with the possible exception of Watson
Allen. n lumber man. who had some In
tcrest in Nome; In placer gold digging"
THAT was all"
"Now. wait l want to qualify tina
statement. | did represent the Plonec
Mining company. which ] organized il
1904 or 1905. It's interests were In an,
about Nome and il was composed largel,
OF ScandInavians."
MIR. Ballngcr then told Of having conn
to Washington and OF mn interview he ha'
at the white house with President Roose
Welt soon after his arrival. Raising hi
voice Mr. Ballngcr said:
THE president said to mo as II
greeted me. Il have no apologies to make
Ballingcr, I'm glad you arc here. An
man who could clean up Seattle as yo
did. can clean up that land Office"
Mr.. Ballinger then dcycrlbed how IN
Cleaned up the land office. relating Il
detail the many changes ne had made an,
said he first met l., II. Claws In Sal
Francisco in the summer of 1907. a
that time he said nothing had been sai
about coal lands. but CLAWS had aske,
him to secure his transfer to Portlan,
when he returned to Washington Ex
charge of the AlaslIa2l coal cases instea
of IL r Jones. another special agent
Mr.. Balllnger said ne lacked confdcnc
In Jones.
His action before this committee jus
titled my opinion OF hlm,' said Mr.. Bal
: liugcr
. Gives Lie Direct
Jones testified against Mr.. BaIlnge
: about n conference ne had with CLAWS i
: December. 1907. IIc referred Ballingcr I
: GlaYs' testimony before the committe
, Continued on Page Two.