Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-12
Chief Engineer Davis Proves
Valuable Witness For Prose
cutionn in Case Against In
terror Department Chief
CHARGED WITH ATTEMPT
TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE
SubordinateS Ordered to Rec
ommend Revocation Of Gar
field Withdrawals and Forced
Recommendations Filed,
lBy MornInr Sournni Special I.s..s w,r.i

IBy Mornlng Seurnni Special rsnrss wirel
Washington, March l1.-With Ar
thur p. Davis chicf engineer OF the
reclamation service on The stand the
attack upon Secretary Ballinger con-
tinued today before the congressional
investigating committee. Mr. Davis
was called as a witness by clifford
Pinchot and was examined by Mr..
Pinchots attorney
Although expressing reluctance to
testify Mr.. Davis proved to be we'll
fortified with maps. dates, data. etc.
and IN many ways was one of the
most important witnesses so Jar in
truduced by the prosecution, He
contradicted iatly many statements
made by Secretary Ballinger to Presi-
dent Taft. revealed IN detail various
interviews he had had from time to
dune with Secretary Ballinger and
ended the day by declaring that the
feslamation service is still in danger
az disintcgration as a result OF MIR,
liallinger's attitude toward It.
Mr.. Davis declared that lin Lam
giage as strong as politeness and
proper respect would permit he told
Balhnger himself that his entire
course had tended TO u decentralization
Of the sersice
With regard To- a statement by Mr..
ilallinger "a the president that he had
restored many lands Withdrawn by
secretary Garfield on tho strength of
recommendations from the rcclama7
non service that these lalihs were nd
longer needed tor reclamation pur-
poses MAJ Davis declared that all the
made BY the reca-
nation serNice We're in response to
direct orders issued by Mr. Ballinger.
These 0r,iers were repeated he said.
mans times, but were never nut In
writing. Director Newell Of the re-
clamntion service protested vigorously
against the secretary's action.
Mr.. Davis said Secretary Ballinger
had written letter TO Or. Thomas T..
VIII of this city repeating the state
ments that lands had been resored
upon recommendation Of the acting
director Of the reclamation service
that they were no longer needed. The
witness said ne WAS the acting dret'A
tor referred to, that he had never
made any such recommendation
Mi Davis declared that early In the
present administration he had found
Mr. Ballngcr deeply prcjudiced
against the reclamation service. He
asserted that Mr. l3allinger had told
him 20 prepare q list Of lands for re-
stoiption slowly, 50 as not to attract
public attention. The witness said he
had made no nttempt "a influence Mr..
lallinger as 10 these restorations be-
'ause he was always met with Il nat
statement that Mr. Garfleld's with
travail Of the lands had been entirely
legal.
Mr. Davis asserted that Mr. Bal
inger was wrong In stating to the
resident that MI Garheld's with
lrawals did not truthiully show what
Il. "a.
10 subtorfugc, he said, and II there
lad been any appearance of subtcr-
uee it was his fault ana not GAR
icld's.
The Witness revealed In his test-
nony that there is quite a fcud be-
ween the reclamation service ana the
geological survey It was on reports
" the reclamation service that Secre-
atp Garfield acted in his withdrawal
" power sites. Secretary Ballinger
las depended entirely upon the geo.
ogical survey.
Mn Davis did not hesitate to cri-
icize the survey and declared that the
arrow strips which had been with
raWn along the streams BY the geo
1gical survey did not properly pro-
ret the power sites
The direct examination had not
ern concluded when adjournment
.as taken until tomorrow morning
Ia response to question by Senator
'eson as 60 whether Secretary Bal
niger had acted within the law in
iakng restoratiOns of land not need
d for power sites. Mr. Davis said he
lought both secretaries Garfield and
'allingcr had acted within the law.
"Bm their policies ana aims were
inercnt t suggested Attorney Pep
oY
'Well, certainly the policy and acts
Mr. Garfield was reversed BY Mr..
aliinger ia March. when the restora-
ons were made and then the policy
ld aim WIS reversed again in April
hen the Withdrawals were made
Mr.. Davis said secretary Rauinger
laWcd him a copy of the letter sent
atr VIII
What comment ala YOU make on
~None ] found Mr.. Ballingcr
'eplN prejudiced against tine recia-
ation service | had read that the
cretary intended to reorganize the
rVice. / did not wish to antagonize
m and 10 WAS for that reason | made
comment
senator Flint interrogated the Wit
ss as To- the trip he made with Sec
tary Eaihngcr through the west last
mme~.
'Wernt Secretary Ballinger's adj
esses on that trip favorable to the
clamation service ?' asked Senator
int
His public utterances wcre'
DID he markedly commend the
ivicc ="
There was some commendation.
% ina private conversation with me