Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-19
PROTESTED TO BALLINGER
Examined by the Investigating
Committee.
coNTRADICTs THE SECRETARY
Denies Accuracy Of Statements by
the Latter as to Restoration of
Water Power Sites.


Ice took the stand today in the Ballinger-
Pinchot Investigation and denied several
statements made by Secretary Ballinger
to the effect that his bureau had recon-
mended the restoration Of lands with
drawn from entry under the Garfield re-
gime. His testimony was largely corrob-
orative of that given by Chief Engineer
Davis last week
For part of the morning session the
committee heard testimony as q subcom-
n'ittGe, owing to the necessary absence Of
all the House members.
After a short executive session the COM
mittee was called to order by Chairman
Nelson at 1915 o'clock this morning. The
chairman announced that owing to the
unusual conditions prevailing in the House
and the impossibility OF House members
OF the committee being present this aft
ernoon testimony would be heard after
the luncheon recess by a subcommittee of
five
Authority to do so Is given the commit
tee by the resolution under which the
investigation Is being held. It also was
announced that the committee would ad-
Journ today until next Friday.
Mr. Newell then took the stand and At
torney Pepper began the examination of
the witness.
Supports Davis.
The witness corroborated the testimon,
given by Mr.. Davis Of the reclamation
service concerning conferences he and
Davis had with Secretary BalIinger in
March. 1909. during which the latter ex.
pressed his opinion that Withdrawals
made by Secretary Garfield were illegal
and that he intended to restore them
Mr. Newell said he tried to dissuade the
Secretary from this policy and protested
against the Secretary's unfriendly attitude
toward the reclamation service and par.
ticularly against what he regarded as In
Spired newspaper stories in which it was
said there was to be 'shake-up' in the
service.
Gave Notice to Ballinger.
Mr.. Newell said he told Mr.. Ballingel
the giving out Of such information would
have to stop or their official relation.
would have to terminate.
What did Mr.. Ballinger reply?"
His face became flushed, but he mad,
no answer" responded the witness
Mr.. Newell said after his conversation
with Mr.. Ballinger, in which the latter
ordered him to recommend that the with
drawn lands be restored, he drafted q
letter embodyfng what he believed to bt
Mr.. Ballinger's views and took 1t to Mr.
written record OF Mr.. Ballinger's ora
instructions. He said Mr.. Ballingel
would not sign the letter.
Denies Truth Of Statements.
Mr. Newell denied the accuracy OF
statements made by Secretary Ballinger
In letters explaining his action in restor-
ing waterpower sites in which he declared
he had done go because the reclamation
service had recommended 1t or because
the land was no longer needed for water
power sites. He said he protested strong.
ly against throwing back all powe
sites"
Attorney Pepper read from a letter from
Secretary Ballinger to Senator La Follett,
on May rs, 1900, In which he said rewith.
drawals were made after surveys of the
ground. Mr.. Newell said no new surveys
had been made, as the letters would indi
cate, the only examinations having been
those under which the lands were origi-
nally withdrawn under Mr. Garfields
order.
Another Statement Denied.
Questioning the witness in reference
to the statement in the Presidents let
ter Of September ID, 1909, to Secretary
Ballinger to the effect that the reclama-
ton service had recommended the res
toration Of lands to Secretary Balm
ger. Attorney Pepper asked the wit
ness IL this was true.
No." replied the witness. II never
recommended any reservations"
Leave for the Battlefield.
One by one the House members OF
the committee began to straggle out OF
the room as the hour for the House to
reconvene approached. Representative
Olmsted. one Of the republican regulars
was the first to leave. Representative
Mccall, another of the regulars, was
not far behind him. Representative Oh
lie James of Kentucky was the first
democrat to leave. Mr.. Graham OF ILL.,
nois tarried with the committee as long
as he could, but at a quarter of IL he
too. arose and filed out of the room.
II go now to the field of battle" he
announced to the chairman. Il will re-
turn either with my shield or upon IT.
The chairman announced that as all
the House members had left the COM
mittee was now sitting as a subcom-
mittee.
Mr.. Newell related several instances
in which Secretary Ballinger had issued
orders to men in reclamation service