The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-10
PROBE TOUCHES
ON VITAL POINT
FormerSecretary Garfield Tes-
titlesastoMr. Ballinger's At
titude Toward Cab Bill
DEFENSE RECEIVES
MANY SEVERE BLOWS
Held That Secretaryes Plan Would
Still Allow Perfection of
Cunningham
Claims

WASHINGTON, d. c., March To-
Denying that he had any part in the
clear listing" of the Cunningham
cases. and declaring that to the best
of his recollection at least one state
Raeat made to f>rertuent TAFT B5 Sec
rotary Baiiinger in his letter on de-
Tense against the CLAWS charges was
untrue, former Secretary of the IA
terror Garfield to-day exploded his
first bombshell in the congressional
investigation of the conservation con-
troyersy.
The direct question Of yeracity vas
raised when Attorney Brandeis aues-
Balltnger's statement TO the Presi-
dent
Il Immediately advised him ire
ferring to Secretary Garfieid) OF AIR,
CLAWS communication This telegram
protesting against the clear Listing
orderl. | suggested the advisabiiity
of holding up the patents in the Cum
ningham cases, in which he on
Cured"
ITO the bes, of my recollection"
asserted Garfield. no such confer
euce ever took place.
Further questioning brought ont
the fact that GARFIELD; as secretary,
knew nothing Of the original order
clear listing the Cunningham cases.
The Cunningham cases would not
have approved any such action. and
all along had believed that the cases
should not proceed TO patent.
If there was an order clear list
Ing the claims he said, 1t was
made without my knowledge by Com
missioner Bailinger or some other
subordinate In the land office.
Crux of Question.
WASHINGTON. March 10.---Dne OF
the most vital points in the Bailin-
ger Pinchot controversy was discuss
ed at to-day's session of the congress
sional investigating committee. y hen
former Secretary Garfield resumed
the witness stand.
This was the coal land legislation
considered by Congress during his
term as secretary OF the interior and
the attitude OF then commissioner If
the general land office. Secretary Bal
linger. particularly with regard TO
the Gale bill. One of the chief
charges against Mr., Baliinger n his
alleged support of this bill.
Senator Root read a portion OF tes-
rtmouy given by Baliinger II BIC
time the bin was in the Senate, his
intent appearing TO be to show that
Secretary .iBailsnger had appeared,
not In support of the measure. bur
To amend II.
Mr.. Baiiiager. Senator Root show
ed, had advised the addition or n
clause to the bin providing Tor tne
classification Of coal lands according
to- the quality and value of the de-
posts, the land to be sold at cor
responding figure.
As defensive argument for Sec
rotary Baliinger. however, this Vas
quickly destroyed by Mr.. Garfield.
Mfr Baiiinger," said the witness.
suggested this provision. ard /
agreed with him, But he also want
ed to have all entries made prior
to that time to stand on the old law.
that is. to let them go at ten dollars
an acre, with the privilege of con-
soiidstion after entry"
Would this have made II posi-
BILE to perfect the Cunningham
claims asked Representative Ora
ham,
1t would. = answered GARFIELD.
Position Explained.
Mr. Garfield explained that Bal
fingers position under the old law
was that all locators should get their
land for sic an acre, while he main
tanned that only locators acting in
good faith should secure theiis.
Dear Jim" and Dear Wek" were
the opening salutations in Il couple
of interesting letters introduced at
this point by Attorney Pepper. bn
April s. 1905. Judge Baliinser wrote
Secretary Garfield in regard to the
Alaskan coal cases, addressing him
Dear jim. The letter stated that
the writer. just before leaving Wash
ington az commissioner, hsAo told The
President tRoosevelp of his appear
ance before the House committee ~
voiing the Gale bill.
The President commended my &C.
ton in this matter" Ballingcr Mrete
Further on the eX-commissioner said
that he had reason to nclteve hat
a number of the coal locat"rs were
acting in bad faith. The letter urged
the necessity for remedial legisla-
ton In Alaskan coal matters. the
writer stating that he had talked
with numerous influential people In
regard to this In closing. BalAnGcr
expressed his sincere friendship for
Secretary Garfield and tod 1T rua
mors In the northwest thar he ala
not approve of Baliinger's appear
ance favoring the Gale b,.l