Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-11
GARFIELD SAYS
SEC. BALLINGER
BETRAYED TAFT
Former Secretary of Inte-
riOr Drops Bombshell
at the Hearing
AFFIDAVIT DECEIVED
Department Head Accused
of Disgusting Syndi-
Gates Interests
AFFIDAVIT DECEIVED
Associated Press1

y" ASHINGTON, March 10.-James
w r. Garfield, former secretary of
the interior, was finally excused
from the witness stand in the Ballin-
ger -Pinchot investigation late this af-
ternoon. His final half hour before the
committee furnished the sensation of
what had been a decidedly dull day.
Mr.. Garfield stated that Mr.. Ballin-
ger, after having been commissioner of
the land office, submitted to him on
September II, 1908, an affidavit signed
by Clarence Cunningham and contain
ing the statement that the Guggen-
helms had no interest whatever in the
Cunningham group of coal claims in
Alaska, while as a matter of fact the
record of recent hearing before the
senate committee on territories shows
that prior to the making of the affida-
Wit the Guggenheim syndicate had been
given an option on a half interest in all
the Cunningham claims.
Taft Report Read
Attorney Brandeis, who was ques-
tloning Mr.. Garfield, followed this dec
laration by reading from Secretary
Ballinger's report to President Taft on
the CLAWS charges the statement that
Mr.. Ballinger had suggested to Mr..
Cunningham an amendment to an aftl-
davit made prior to the one which ne
presented to Secretary Garfield in Sep
temb 1908, and that Mr.. Cunningham
made the amendment by explaining in
detail what he meant by certain terms
used in his former affidavit.
Mr. Garfield said Mr.. BallinCer, IN
giving him the affidavit, left the inn
preston that his action was entirely
casual, and that he had been requested
by friends in Seattle to leave it on file
for whatever it might be worth.
Mr. Brandeis then called attention
to the fact that the name of Mr. Bal
lingers law firm was printed on the
back of the affidavit.
Opposed Combines
Mr. Garfield was examined and cross
examined on his administration of the
office which he surrendered to Mr.. Bal
linger on March 5, 1909. Mr. Garheld
in explaining what he did in the mat
ter of withdrawal of lands without
specific provision of law, declared he
was working in the interest of the peo-
ple and to prevent monopolistic control
of power sites, and consequent eXtor-
tionate prices to consumers.
When he had concluded his testi-
mony Mr. Garfield took a seat beside
Clifford Pinchot and with arms about
each others shoulders they sat for
some time in smiling discussion or
the days events.
A f. Davis, chief engineer of the
reclamation service, followed Mr.. Gar
field on the stand. He said he pre-
ferred not to testify unless directed
to do so by the committee.
Chairman Nelson gave this direction
and Mr. Davis had just started his
testimony when adjournment was ta-
ken until tomorrow.
Issue Unnecessary
at do not believe the 100000 bond
issue recommended by President Taft
to congress is necessary for the proper
forwarding of irrigation work in the
This statement from Mr.. Garfield
greatly enliVened the hearing. Mr..
Garfield said this in defense OF the
cooperative agreements he entered
into with the water users associations
and of the reclamation certificates he
issued in evidence of work performed
and which have come to be known as
GARFIELD currency"
MIR. Garfield declared it was evident
Attorney General Wickersham ana
President Taft did not have the proper
facts before them when they reacheo
opinions adverse to the legality OF the
reclamation certificates.
The witness implied that Mr.. Bal
linger might have been responsible IN
this connection, but he did not make
an outright statement to that erect.
Denies Conference
Mr.. Garfield took issue with Mr..
Rallinger as to certain statements
made by the latter in his reply to
President Taft regarding the various
charges made against him. He salo
he could not recall any conference with
Mr.. Ballinger regarding the Cunning
ham claims, although Mr.. Balilhger
said he had Immediately conferred
with Mr. Garfield after the receipt OF
CLAWS protest against the cIear-ilst-
ing of the Alaska coal claims.
Mr.. Garfield admitted that, in urging
general coal legislation by congress
early in 1908, he made the statement
that he was willing to condone fraud
ulent entries in Alaska providing the
entrymen were compelled to pay an
increased price for the land to the gov
ernment.
Mr.. Garfield read an exchange of let
ters between himself and Mr.. Balling-
err after the latter had left the lano
office in April, 1908, and while the
coal bills were still pending. Balling-
er addressed Mr. Garfield as my Dear
Jim" and the latter replied, MY Dear
Dick"
Probe Is Deep
The details of Ballinger's testimony
before the congressional committees
regarding the coal bills that We're
pending in 1908 were gone into again
at great length.
1t appeared that Ballinger's bill re-
lated to claims technically known as
chad faith" claims, made in technical
violation of the law, which Mr.. Garfield
said everybody agreed should be
changed.
The Ballinger bill he said was to
permit the bad faith" claimants to
transmute their claims and come in
under the new bill. This bill failed
and the law of 1908 provided only for
the consideration of good faith entries.
Vertrees questioned the witness
somewhat fully as to his conception OF
the laws under which he made the
Wholesale Withdrawals of lands as
water power sites.
Garfield said there was no specific
law for the withdrawal of power sites
as such. He withdrew them, however,
CONTINUED on Page EighD