Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-02

WILSON DENIES
PINCHOT'S CLAIM
SECRETARY AND FORMER FOR
ESTRY CHIEF CLASH
CABINET OFFICER REPUDIATEs
LETTER TO DoLLlvER
Testimony Of Head of Agricultural
Department and of Conservation
Expert Conflicts, Both Being
Somewhat Mixed Up
1non.lnn.a from Page One,

CONTINUED from Page one)
interview between you" suggested At
torney Pepper.
There is
..But does this letter in any way
shake your confidence in your recollec-
tion of what transpired at the inter-
view?"
Confidence Not Shaken
"Not a bit The statement made to
me by the president was one OF vast
Importance to me as a conservationist
d I unquestionabIy placed more im-
portance upon 1t than did the president
himself"
The witness detailed his thoughts
following these events and 1t became
evident that he was leading up to the
circumstances attending the writing OF
the letter to Senator Dolliver on Whlch
President Taft demanded Mr.. Pmchots 5
resignation. "a
'lARriculture Wilson saying he desires
TO be present when any testimony ~
given as to the Dolliver letter. SAID
Chairman Nelson.
THE examination was turned aside
and a message sent requesting the I'M
mediate presence of Secretary wilson,
Representative Mccall said he hao
been requested to ask Mr. flhclios
what part he played IN turning oSta ,tY
the Hetch Hetchy valley TO the Guy
Of san Francisco for water SUPPLY
"That Is a very complicated ques-
tionp replied Mr.. Pinchot Inc
events occurred so long ago Woulu
like To have an opportunity to refresh
my memory before testifying DEN
nitely." x..u,,
Hetchy lands were called Tor py the
committee.
When Secretary Wilson arrived he
took a seat beside Chairman Nelson.
Reads Delivers Letter
Mr.. Pinchot then read into evidence
his letter to Senator Dolliver.
"Did you consult with the secretary
of agriculture before you wrote that
letter?' demanded Senator Nelson.
Attorney Pepper obtained permission
10 examine the witness on some other
particulars before this question was
Mr.. Pr .aaot was asked to explain
his statement In the letter that Presi-
dent Taft had been misled. He said
he thought the president had been
misled, because in his letter OF Sep
tember 13 dismissing the CLAWS
cn1TKeS Ht HfttQO ffO AtAVAth'C W 49, .
Bailinger's action in clear-listing the
Cunningham claims on the strength of
the Love report, which Love himself
did not regard as warranting any
such action.
"If a subordinate of mine had taken
the action Mr. Ballinger did" declared
the witnesses dramatically, ''I would
have dismissed him either for corrup-
tion -or iHcompetency. and would not
have cared which. But the president
made no reference to that act"
what further have you to say about
the Ronald letter and the charges you
based thereon?" asked Mr. Pepper.
II believe Mr.. Ballinger sent that
letter to the president because he
wanted the president to believe 1t, and
that the president sent 1t to me be-
cause he did believe 1t and wanted me
to believe it,
Reads Dismissal Letter
Mr.. Pinchot here read into the rec
ord the letter of dismissal from Presi-
dent Taft.
"What have you to say to the charge
that you were disrespectful to the
PRESIDENT" asked Mr.. Pepper.
II contend that the expression OF an
honest belief that the president had
acted under a misapprehension is not
disrespectful"
What have you to say to the charge
OF showing lack of confidence In the
purpose of the president to take the