The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-02

the development that MT. Pinchots charge that Mr. Ballinger had in his reply to the President made statements that were absolutely false in three essential particulars" were not based upon MT. Balllngers letter but upon letter writ ten by Mir Ballinger's former law part ner J. T. Ronald, to Dr. Lyman Abbott. MT. Ballinger had sent this letter to the President "as a part of his defense.' ac- cording to MT. Pinehot.
 Letter From Ronald
 Mr. Ronald in his letter said that with out knowledge of the records he felt no hesitation in contending in behalf of MT. Ballinger that OD Special Agent Jones never made report dealing with the Cunningham claims. and that @ the order revolxing the clearing list of the Cunning ham claims was not based upon a protest by Glavis, and that (0 MT. Ballinger never appeared before a congressional committee in the interest of any Alaska claimants
 Mr. Pinchot said it appeared from copy of MT. Ronald's letter which he read that Mir Ronald based HIS statements on a magazine article containing charges against which were noted the marginal notes mo" in MT. Ballingers handWr1t- ing
 Pinchot claimed that Jones In his testi- mony before the committee showed that he had reported on the Cunningham claims and that MT. Ballinger admitted in letter to the President that the clear listing order was revoked on the protest of Glavis. and that MT. Ballinger In his testimony before a congressional commit tee referred to a group of B claims which could have meant only the Cunningham interests
 Charges of Pinchot
 Senator Fletcher: You mean to say that Secretary Ballinger vouched for this letter?"
 MT. Pinchot. "I could draw no other conclusion"
 Senator Nelson: Don't you know as a matter of fact that before transmitting | this letter to the President Mir Balinger I himself had made a statement to the President in which he covered these three points and in which he stated the actual l facts2"
 Yes"
 Senator Nelson: Then how do you say that he wilfully attempted to deceive the President by transmitting this letter."
 Mir Pinchot T do not know the work | ings of MT. Ballinger's mind, and I do | not attempt to reconcile the two occur | rences."
 At this point the luncheon recess was ordered.
 Former Secretary Garfield was present at the opening of the afternoon session MT. Plnchot read a letter from Pres ident Taft dated November 24, 1909. replying to the witness letter of l November A. The President said he could not coincide with MT. Pinchot's views as to MT. Ballinger and de- clared that the fact that Mr. Ballin- ger differed with some of the things Mr. Garfield had done did not argue 1 lack of frendliness on the part of MT. Ballinger to the cause of con servation. The Pr esident also declared | that Mir. Pncho ot's statement had not shaken his confidence in the good faith of Secretary Bal1inger and his hearty interest in the cause of conservation. Disagreement Over Interview
 "There is expressed in this letter a disa greement as between you and the President as to what transpired at an interview between you?" suggested At torney Pepper.
 There is"
 But does the letter in any way shake your confidence in your recollec- tion of what transpired at the inter- view"
 Not a bit. The statement made to me by the President was one of vast | importance to me a conservationist and I unquestionably placed more i'm portance@ upon 1t than did the Pres ident himself.'
 Asked as to what impression the let ter of the President had upon him, MT Pinchot said the impression was deep | one.
 "Glavis had been dismissed on the | %Iot h ie oIar inc Mir | Ballinger were baseless," he said, when we now know they were far l from baseless.'
 The witness proceeded to detail his thoughts following these events and it became evident that he was leading up to the causes attending the writ ing of the letter to Senator Deliver. upon which President Taft demanded MT. Pinchots resignation.
 "I have a letter from Secretary of Agriculture Wilson saying he desires to be present when any testimony Is given as to the Deliver letter. said Chairman Nelson.
 Wilson Is Sent For
 The examination was turned aside and a message sent requesting the inn mediate presence of Secretary Will son.
 Asked concerning the sending of | anime the. Cunningham claims, MT. Pin . chot said he had never seen or heard of Wingate prior to the time he went to Alaska for the forest service. Win gate was recommended to District For ester Alten at Portland by Glavis. Win gate is the man who reported the Gun min gham claims worthless as com- mercial proposition"
 When Secretary Wilson arrived he to0J< seat beside Chairman Ne1- son.
 MT. Pinchot then read into evidence his letter to Senator Deliver.
 MT. Pinchot was asked by his at torney to explain his statement in the letter that President Taft had been misled. He declared that evidence be- fore the committee showed MT. Bal finger kenw more about the Cunning ham claims than any other man in the service and proceeded to recite the various facts that have come out al the hearing.
 But did you know all these things at the time you wrote the letter." in- terjected Senator Olmsted.
 "I don't see that that makes any } difference" replied the witness. Well. it was my question:" snapped Mr. Olmsted.
 T knew some of the facts" said Mr. Pinchot.
 Did you know Governor Moore had been to Washington, for instance?"
 No"
 President Misiead
 Mr. Pinchot declared he thought th e President had been mised because in his letter of September 13 dismissing the Glavis charges he made no refer ence to MT. Ballinger's action in clear listing the Cunningham claims on the letr ptb If