The Detroit times., 1910-06-13
RECORD PROVES
bALL|NGER UNFIT
ATTORNEY BRANDEIs.
Counsel for CLAWS Files Brief in
Famous Case--Ballinger Attorney
Says Charges Are Baseless.

WASHINGTON, June 13.-Parting
shots were exchanged through the
medium of three stocky volumes filed
today with the Ballinger-Pinchot con-
gressional investigating committee
representing the briefs Of counsel on
both sides.
The thousand odd pages OF the docu
msnts bristle with the same sort OF
vituperatfon that marked the trial
from start to finish. The committee
is asked to regard L. r. CLAWS. the
former field agent, as "a patriot" by
Attorney L. ID. Brandeis) or a traitor
and a snake by Attorney Vertrees)
to regard Clifford Pinchot. as. the
Jealous advocate OF good govern
ment" Thy Attorney Pepper), and an
arch conspirator seeking to destroy
the good name of a cabinet officer" Thy
Attorney vertrees).
Brandeis says: I'm our opinion the
record amply discioses Mr.. Ballinger's
knowledge OF the situation and shows
his hostility to the peoples interests
and his cooperation with the private
special interests which were and are
striving to take the peoples property
in violation of the law"
Pepper says. Whatever may be the
form Of their 1.-THE committees reporD
we trust that they will record their
definite convictio nthat the immediate
care Of the public domain Is now In
unsafe hands,"
Vertrees says: cit is no idle thing
to assail the character OF member
of the cabinet. He Is one Of the adj
visors of the president and dishonor-
able conduct on his part not only
brings disgrace to him as an indi-
vidual, but reproach upon the gov
eminent of the republic itself. Con
sequently such an accusation ought
not to be lightly brought. There ought
surely to be substantial grounds. Here,
It may be asserted there are abso-
lutely none. This prosecution Is cruel.
and II is baseless."
Attorney Vertrees dwelt consider
ably on the conspiracy" which he de-
clared was being prosecuted against
Ballinger by Pinchot. CLAWS and Ger
field. Attorney Pepper declared such
a naccusation baseless, saying that "it
is the convicted man who usually
prosecutor have conspired against
him"
Attorney Pepper In his brief con.
tends that the case Is really a charge
against the executive.
I'VE fnd II not little difficult in
these days OF the reign of law" II
reads, ito Justify the course OF the
legislature In proceeding to investigate
the executive. AS, however, the in
quiry was requested by the secretary
OF the interior. he cannot complain II
full Jurisdiction is taken by the com
mittee."
In conclusion, Attorney Brandeit
sums up: <N'~
These facts which have been stated
are proved by the record, and by this
record the department of the interior
is to be judged. II Is not the same
record which was before the president
"In this proceeding Mr.. Wicker
sham appears no longer as an assis
tant Judge filing his concurrence aftei
decision. but as an over-zealous advo
cate. In this proceeding Mr.. Lawlel
assistant attorney-generaDC is not the
Judge. but stands In his true light. {
prejudiced witness. bitter and vituper
alive.
I'm these controversies, CLAWS, Pin
chot, Jones and Kerby have been dis
missed. Hoyt has resigned Newell
and Davis hold SO slight a tenure o.
ONCE that half this committee reports
they may be no longer In the service
From the conduct of these men this
committee will determine whethei
they are honest men or snakes to b,
killed and traitors to be shamed. i
anyone OF them has told the truth. the
secretary OF the interior is dishonoret
and unfit for his ONCE"