Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-29

| interviews with Mr. Ballinger, in which
the Cunningham land cases always
| formed the topic Of discussion.
The inquiry will be resumed tomor-
row.
Washington, Jan. 2S.-Louis r.
! CLAWS today, continued his testimony
against Secretary Ballinger before the
| Congressional investigation committee.
! The morning session was rather dull,
taken up largely by reading into the
record certain laws, etc, which already
| have been made public from time to
| time
CLAWS stated that despite the fact
| that he was directed by Mr.. Ballnger
| as commissioner of the land office in
| 1867, to make q thorough investigation
of all Alaskan coal land cases, sparng
no one, the Cunningham claims We're
ordered clear listed" for patent in
less than a month thereafter On his
| protest by wire and mail, CLAWS said
| the clear listing was revoked.
All the members OF the committee
were present at the opening of the
session Mr. Pinchot and his dismissed
| y
early on hand but Secretary Ballingcr
again was absent
Attorney Rrandeis, representing
| CLAWS, presented to the committee q
| long list of papers and documents to
be introduced in evidence also a list
| of witnesses to be summoned. CLAWS
| took up his story where he left ii
| "Wednesday afternoon. lie said Attor-
ncy Hoyt had suggested 20 him in 1907
( that he should take up the matter off
Alaska coal lands direct with Secre-
| tary of the Interior Garfield.
"But I did not think it would look
| well to go over the head of my i'm
mediate SUPERIOR" he added,
CLAWS said he did write to II. II
| Schwartz then chief of the field divi-
| sion. saying he was worried about the
Alaskan situation and would like tc
confde in him.
What Alaskan claims did you rcre:
to in that latter asked Rep. Ohm,
stead
"All of them" replied the witness.
Some 200 in all?"
'Ycs"
At this time Mr. Baiiinger was com
missioner of the land office. Attorney
Brandeis next took up the printed
document in the case which consist:
of SO7 pages and spent some time if
calling the attention of the committe,
to various letters, kilograms. etc. tend
ing to show CLAWS activity in the
Alaska cases The attorney said he
also wanted to call attention to certain
letters which showed the part Mr. Bal
linger played as commissioner in di
recting the inquiry. His purpose II
that, he said was to indicate tina
: President Taft and Attorney Genera
| WiCkersham We're mistaken when the.
reached the stated conclusion that Mr.
Ballneer's participation in the matte
had been merely formal
Among the letters read was one from
Special Agent II. IT. Jones. calling at
tention to the alleged fraudulent char
actcr of the Alaskan claims.
THAT letter was written befpr
CLAWS came into the matter in an,
way" questioned Senator Nelson.
Yes" replied Mr.. Brandeis.
"Then you don't claim CLAWS origi'
nally called attention to these claims?
NO. In addition to Jones report
there had been one from Special Agen
Love"
Didn't Love recommend the Gun.
ningham claims for clear listing" ask
ed Rep. Madison.
1T did not amount to recommended
ton exactly" replied the counsel
Mr. CLAWS told of visit to Wash
ington in December. 1907 when he tool
UP with officials of the land office TIL
matter of the Alaskan claims. He tolC
Mr.. Schwartz that people in Seattle
were saying that there would be III
further investigation of the claims il
Alaska and the patents would be grant
ed.
Il said that there was great danger
of being scandal equal to that in wy.
oming and Colorado where the investi
CATION of the coal land cases had beer
suppressed" declared CLAWS.
Who suppressed those investiga-
tons? >" demanded Senator Painter
Dem.
ct was testified at Salt Lake tina
former Commissioner Richards sait
Mr.. Ballinger had no connection will
it in any way"
After his interview with Mr.
Schwartz. CLAWS said he was conduct
ed to Mr.. Ballinger's office. AS a re
suit of his visit. he was placed il
charge of all the Alaska cases.
What did you say to Commissions
Ballinger?"
Il told him I thought we should can
eel all the Alaska claims; that lot o
prominent people had formed poo
and that the evidence would prove it
what did Mr.. Ballinger say TO your
I s.Ir.a caid q mum her of the clainla u I