The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-19
LAWLOR ON THE STAND.
Man Who Prepared Memorandum for
Use of President.

Washington, May 19.-Assistant At
| torney General Oscar Lawler continued
| under discrimination by Attorney
Brandeis, counsel for L. r. CLAWS, at
| the Ballinger-P inchot investigation to-
day. Mr.. Lawler already has told the
committee that he prepared unassisted
the memorandum which President TAFT
had before him when he wrote his let
ter generating Secretary Ballinger and
diSmiSSing CLAWS, thus contradicting
the testimony of Stenographer Fred
erick NJ. Kerby that officials of Mr.
Ballinger's office helped prepare 1t.
1t was expected the entire day would
be occupied on the subject of the Law
Ter memorandum.
Stenographer Massey, who helped
typewrite the document, probably will
be called to relate the circumstances
under which the matter was prepared.
Counsel for both sides hope to have
all the testimony before the committee
by next Saturday night in which case
argument would begin next week.
The committee held an executive ses-
sion before the public hearing opened.
When the hearing began, Chairman
Nelson instructed the clerk to read d
letter from Secretary Ballinger in
which the latter stated that in response
to verbal request from the commit
|, tee, his assistant Mr.. Finney. had gone
file index in an effort to locate any let
ters not already made public between
himself and George w. Perkins of J.
P. Morgan e Co.
Found Nine Letters.
Mr.. Ballinger wrote that Mr. Finney
had found nine letters between himself
and Perkins regarding the naming OF
two glaciers and a ford which Perkins
thought he had discovered while on
trip to Alaska last summer. Mr.. Bal
linger wrote that no other letter had
been found.
Chairman Nelson announced the
committee had decided that the letters
We're not of such Importance as to war
rant their being made public.
Mr.. Brandeis inquired the date of the
letters and was informed the first from
Perkins was dated December 20, 1909.
and the others were written subse-
quently.
Senator Sutherland protested that
Mr.. Brandeis was consuming time on
an unimportant matter, but the attor-
ney explained that his purpose was to
locate two other letters from Perkins
to Ballinger, one dated June 10, 1909,
and the other written some time in
September last. The first letter, he
said, was one in response to which Bal
linger wrote on the following day eX-
pressing regret that his son, Edward,
would be unable to accompany Perkins
on his trip to Alaska.
Mr. Brandeis said he had reason 20
believe there was another written by
Perkins to Ba1linger in September, but
he did not indicate its nature.
Promises to Look Further.
Mr.. Finney promised to make further
search of the files in an effort to locate
the two letters.
The cross-examination of LAWYER
then was resumed.
Mr.. Brandeis asked the witness why
in his letter responding to his Bran
deis) last request to the interior de-
partment for copy of the LAWYER
memorandum he had not stated that
he had delivered the original or a copy
letter Mr.. Lawler said he had deliv-
cred the memorandum to the attorney
general and had retained no copy
II didn't think it material"
Mr. Brandeis asked the witness if he
thought he had been frank in his an
swer. Mr.. Lawler said his confidential
relations with the president had been
considered by him.
''Why did you accompany Ballinger
on his trip to Beverly"
II was directed nv Secretary Bal
linger."
did the secretary say why he de-
sired you to accompany him?"
HE didn't say"
Mr. Brandeis called the attention of
the witness to a telegram sent from
Seattle by Mr.. Ballinger to Assistant
Secretary Pierce on August 20 last
which read:
Must see Lawler before his de-
matter