The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-05-23
INTRODUCTION OF
EVIDENCE ENDS
No Further Testimony in
Ballinger Probe.
ARGUMENTS NEXT WEEK

Attorneys for Prosecution and Defense
Given Five Hours in Which to Sum
Up Before the Committee-Briefs
Will Be Submitted Later, but There
Is No Indication When a Verdict
May Be Expected.
Washington, May 21.-The investi-
CATION of the Ballinger-Pinchot con-
troversy was brought to a close so far
as the Introduction OF oral testimony
IL concerned and the case was set for
argument next Friday and Saturday.
Within fifteen days after the argument
counsel will submit brief and the COM
mittee will then begin consideration
Of the evidence looking to a final de-
cision.
There is no indication as to when a
verdict in the case may be expected,
but it is general. assumed that the
committee will spend several weeks
on the record before reaching a de-
cision and it is intimated that the
committee may not be ready to report
until the next session of congress. The
record comprises over 5000 printed
pages.
In fixing the date for argument and
other matters incidental to the clos
ing of the case the committee was
unanimous for the first time since the
inquiry began.
Attorney Vertrees, for Secretary Bal
linger, Informed the committee that he
did not care to present any argument,
as he did not regard it as essential,
but members of the committee stated
that they regarded argument by coun-
sci as important and Mr.. Vertrees &C.
quiesced. Five hours will be occupied
by each side. Mr.. Brandeis, represent
ing L. r. CLAWS, and Mr.. Pepper, rep
resennng Forester Clifford Pinchot,
will open on Friday, occupying the
major portion of their time. Mr.. Yer
trees will follow on Saturday for Sec
rotary Ballinger and Mr.. Brandeis and
Mr.. Pepper will then close briefly. y
Mr. Vertrees made the statement
that if he argued the case he did not
want to speak to empty chairs, say
ing that he anticipated that members
of the committee would be prone to
duck" the speechmaking.
Il can imagine we will be talking to
the chairman and table surrounded
by empty chairs" he said.
oImsted Fears Dry Speech.
"You must expect to make a very
dry Speech" observed Representative
Olmsted. ~
Counsel for Pinchot reserved the
right to offer some documentary evil
dence relative to the charge made by
Secretary Ballinger that the forestry
bureau had wasted over 100000 in
administering the Menominee Indian
reservation in Wisconsin and other
documentary evidence of unimportant
character may be put in the record by
Mr.. Brandeis and Mr.. Vertrees. To
all practical purposes, however, the
case is closed.
charged Representative Graham
brought up the question OF INTRODUCE
ing certain correspondence relative to
the charges filed against H. K. Love-
United States marshal for one of the
| Alaskan districts, who was an impor
tant witness for the defense.
There was some objection and in
the discussion it developed that Love
had been charged with dividing prof
it's from the feeding of federal prison
ers, had admitted the charge, but had
been excused by the department Of
Justice on the ground that what he
had done had been the usual practice
In Alaska.
1t was decided that the counsel and
committee should go over the docu-