The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-30
BALLINGER SAYS
CLAWS is A LIAR
Continued from Page One.

that they had talked aoout several spe-
cinc groups of Alaska coal claims.
That's a wllful and deliberate lie," ex-
claimed Mr., BalliDger. He said they had
discussed the situation In general, but
that he knew nothing about any groups.
Mr.. Nertrees called the witness atten-
tion TO the matter Of the clear listing
of the Cunningham entries by his order
as commissioner In January. 1908
Mr.. Ballinger said he and Chief OF
Field Division Schwartz had gone over
the report on the claims of II. *. Love.
made on August .. 1907, and decided that
the claims were entitled To patent there
being no protest In the record.
81 want TO say right here" said Mr.,
Ballinger. that II l were passing over
the same claims today with the same rec
ord before me l would say they were en-
titled TO be clear listed
He was emphatic on this point and re-
iterated II several times.
did you represent any OF the Cunning
ham claimants7" asked Mr.. Vertrees.
II never had any professional or legal
business with the men listed as Cunning
ham entrymen," responded Mr.. Ballinger,
Another Denial.
The secretary denied Glavis's state
ment that he had informed him CBallin-
Cunningham clear listing" was based.
was unreliable. because 1t was likely to
have been Influenced by Loves candi-
dacy for United States marshal in
hldShd, MI. bdlllHSGr Sald tIlpSO CldlIlS
had been under investigation under
CLAWS UP to the time OF his dismissal
last summer.
Did you ever interfere with Claws s
Investigations into those cla!ms?" asked
Not In the slightest degree. at any
time" replied Mr.. Ballnger- CLAWS
was never hampered,, but was pampcred
Mr.. Bsllnger was questioned as TO his
differences with Secretary Garfield In 1907
about coal lands. The witness explained
he had favored the sale system as op-
posed 10 leasing system,
He said Mr.. Garfield disapproved Of his
report. but subsequently President Roose-
welt called him To the White house and
asked him TO explain what his differences
with Garfield were. AS a result OF that
interview he had written a letter TO the
president embodying his Views. When
he saw the president subsequently the
latter said 10 him:
Stood With Roosevelt.
Il have embodied your recommendation
Garfield and Pinchot see IL they Will go
through the roof. But / guess the roof
is strong enough TO hold en-
Al the afternoon session Mr.. Nertrees
questioned Secretary Ballinger regarding
his appearance before the house commit
tee on public lands on March A, 1908, in
advocacy OF the Gale bill, providing for
the selling of coal lands,
MI Ballinger contradicted former Sec
retary Garfield's testimony before the
committee that he did not authorize him
CBallInger) to appear before the com
mttee. He said Garfield had written
him assuring him that he knew Ballin-
gers position and that there would be
no misunderstanding in this connection.
He added that Garfield was in error In
telling the committee that In advocat-
Ing the Gale bill before the house com
mittee he (Ballinger) was favoripg tho
ad dmissicn TO patent of other than bona
fide claims.
"The assiduous attempts OF certain ma
licous people 10 circulate throughout the
country reports that / carried away from
the land office information which I could
use TO the detrimcnt OF the United States
government have not the slightest foun-
dation." said Mr.. Ballnger.
"Ali information could have been used
! In perfect fairness in any way l de-
| sired to use II without the possibility ot
prejudice To any interests OF the United
| States. The Information was such that
| nothing at the time Of my leaving the
| land office against these interests or Q
| record in contravention OF rights OF the
people TO have their patents further thar
| the unique protest of this man CLAWS
| which had come In through his letter o
| January %. 1t stated no facts that II
| could warrant a public officer to holc
up claims except the suspicion that there
might have heen something which might
be investigated"
Voluntary Retirement.
Did you retire voluntarily from tht
| office OF commissioner OF the land of.
| fce?' asked Mr. Vertrees.
! Most delightfully."- voluntarily" re.