The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-02-16
The Noted Investigation
Continues With CLAWS
on the Stand.
CROSS EXAMINATION OF YOUNG
MAN BRINGS GREAT THRoNGs
OF SPECTATORS INTO COMMIT
TEE RooM-WITNEss UNDER
WENT ORDEAL WITH HIS USUAL
COoLNESS-kNoWS HIS STORY
AND TELLS 1T WELL.
BY Associated Press.


Washington, Feb. 15.-Tne Ballinger-
Pinchot inquiry dragged wearily along
today. Louis r. CLAWS continued on
the stand under cross examination by
John ]. Vertrees, Ballingers attorney.
Vertrees examined the witness upon
documentary evidence and it was
necessary for him to read much of
I this anew, so that he could frame his
questions. This made the proceedings
dull. CLAWS continued his tactics of
yesterday coupling his answers with
long explanations
n Subpoenas were, issued today for a
number of witnesses which Vertrees
announced would testify regarding the
finding of the official letters which had
been missing in the boxes left by
CLAWS in the federal building at
Seattle. Vertrees devoted a large
part of the day to bringing out the
fact that when CLAWS, protested
against clear listing of the Cunning
ham claims, the order of clear listing
vas Immediately revoked without
waiting further explanation from
CLAWS.
ROOM PACKED.
Interest in the congressional inquiry
into the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy
has been greatly heightened as a re-
suit of yesterdays cross examination
of Louis r. CLAWS by ]. j. Vertrees,
counsel for Ballinger. Anticipating a
continuance of the rapid fire of ques-
tions, crowd even greater than yes
terday's record breaking attendance
sought admission this morning. The
Seating capacity of the committee room
has been enlarged from time to time
until now the Spectators .entirely sur
round the witness and the attorney
and almost enclose the committee
itself.
CLAWS underwent his first ordeal of
cross examination with the same cool
self-possession that he displayed when
giving his direct testimony. He
knows his case from beginning to END
as no one else does. CLAWS fences
with the attorneys skillfully and ap.
parently is match for them ALL He
parties their questions, and when di-
rected to answer "yes" or no" he
always stands upon the right that has
been accorded to follow this up with
an explanation which may run on for
five minutes or more and in the course
of which he usually takes advantage
OF the opportunity he was thus con-
WINGED that Mr.. Ballinger is unfit foI
the Office he holds, is unfaithful to his
trust and not loyal to the interests OF
the people"
Members of the committee, among
whom are many wen known lawyers,
declare that never in their experience
have they seen more clever witness
than CLAWS. His counsl, Mr.. Brandeis,
sits with a broad grin during most
of the time the dimissed field agent is
answering or arguing with Mr.. Yer.
trees.
COUNSEL ENLlVEN SITUATION.
The appearance of counsel for both
sides has tended to enliven the pro-
.ceedings greatly and has also been an
influence to bring out some lively dis
cussions among the members of the
committee as to the admissibility OF
testimony and regarding protests
from CLAWS that Vertrees cuts OF
ANSWERS before the witness has fairly
started. In the committee discussions
as to whether CLAWS directly answers
Mr.. Vertrees or branches off into an
argument or into an expression OF
opinion. the Democrats thus far have
always been found on the side of the
accusing witness. Mr.. Madison, the
insurgent member from Kansas, has
also taken up the defense of CLAWS.
These little incidents as we'll as the
apparent general temper of the com
mittee has led a number of persons
(ContInued on PAGE Threel