The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-05
INVESTIGATION HAS
BEEN POSTPONED
Time Required to Allow Counsel
for Ballinger to Study
the Case.
HEARING TO BE RESUMED
ONE WEEK FROM MONDAY
Attorney for CLAWS Raises
Strenuous Objection to De-
lay in Probing.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 4-In order 10
permit the arrival in the city of conn
sci for Secretary Balliuger and to allow
counsel to become familiar with the
case, the Ballinger Piuchot investigat-
ing ccmmSfee adjourned its hearings
today until next Friday, February H.
John j. Fertrecs of Nashville. Tenn.
aud Carl Rasch. formerly United
states district attorney for Montana,
have been selected TO represent Secrc-
tary Ballingcr. Land Commissioner
bennett and Field Agent Schwartz in
the Balinger.Pinchot controversy.
the prosecutiop,' is TO stay in the
city until full opportunity for cross
examination is given, Members of the
committee have questioned in desnltory
iasnlon, but. owing 10 q lack of famil
larity, with the subject, they have been
CONSIDERABLY limited in their questions
other than what CLAWS has given vol
unfairly 10 response 10 questions framed
! by inc counsel representing himself aud
his hackers.
CLAWS has concluded all of his origi-
nal testimony
Nelson Got Busy.
! IL developed at the brief public scs-
sion OF the committee today that under
date OF February .. Senator Nelson
chairman Of the joint committee. wrote
| 70 secretary Rslilngcr saying ne had been
| greeted by the members 10 suggest 10
| MN the Importance of being represented
| by counsel 10 examine and cross examine
| witnesses and TO present 10 the commit
tee m orderly fashion such evidence as
| would be material to the other side"
Replying 10 this letter under date OF
February 81. Mr. Ballinger said he had
| louoWcd tnc suggestion OF the commit
|
| days for his attorney TO reach Washing
ton and some additional time TO familiar
| ize himself with the case.
Mr., Ballinger said he had been OF the
| opinion that by not having counsel pres
ent he would be assisting the committee.
making a full inquiry of its own
In view OF the suggestion by tho chair
| man. however, he could do nothing but
mittee. lie asked that the further hear
ings be postponed until Monday. Feb
| Following an executive session which
lasted nearly an hour the letters were
read 20 the public. and the adjournment
until February n ordered.
| II was said there had been q pretty
| lively discussion iB the executive session
over the question of the posrponemeot.
some or the members OF the committee
! strenuously opposing any delay at this
| time.
CLAWS Attorney Excited.
! Attorney Brandeis, representing CLAWS.
! made a somewhat heated complaint 10 the
| committee over the delay OF the interior
| department in the furnishing of the docu-
mcntary evidence called for by the pros
| ecution.
Mr., BalIinger might have good ana
! sufficient reasons" FOR withholding this
evidence from examination by counsel
representing CLAWS. but IN view of mis-
statements that ne wanted a free and
bent upon him TO furnish the evidence
in instailments as fast as 1t could be col
| lccted
Chairman Nelson said il had been de-
cided AT the executive session TO re-
quest Secretary Ballinger TO furnish the
| evidence in insta1mcnts and that he
( and send il by special messenger today.
Paul Slcmen. an attorney OF this city. has
been appointed secretary OF the investi
The president has shown lis active in
| tcrcst in the investigation OF the Coatro-
,ersy. He has insisted on the retention
| Of counsel 10 represent the administration
officers. Secretary Ballnger. Land Com
missioner bennett and Chief Field Agent
| Schwartz.
Taft Talks to Vertrees.
Today Secretary Dickinson brought TO
the white house Joln j. Vertrees a law.
yer Of Nashville Tenn. They talked
with the president for hall an hour and
then Secretary Ealllnger joined, the con
| ference. which lasted FOR another hour,
Al its conclusion Secretary Ealllnger.
accompanied by Mr.. Neruces. left the
| white house although the caolnet WIS
lust about 10 assemble and proceeded
| To the interior department, to confer with
Messrs. bennett and Schwartz.
statement such as he had promised %
publish earlier IN the week. declaring
that whatever he had to say IN regard
TO the charges made against him by NJ.
CLAWS would bc made under oath before
tho committed
Mr. Vertrces WAS recommended bv
Secretary Dickinson, who vouched for his
special abilities