Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-07
CROSS FIRE FOR BALLINCER
Attorney Brandeis Begins Examina-
ton of the Secretary.
CLASHES ENL1vEN THE SESSION
Attempt to Show that President"
Letter Generating witness Was
Prepared in the Interior
Department.

WASHINGTON May 6.-The cross-eX-
animation of Secretary Ballinger by Attor-
ney Brandeis of counsel for the "prosecu-
ton before the Ballinger- Pinchot investi-
eating committee today afforded the con-
mittee and the room full of spectators one
sensation after another.
The secretary and the attorney fenced
back and forth, mimickng each other in
tone and gesture.
Ballinger repeatedly appealed to the COM
mittee for protection from the 'insolence'
of his tormentor, the latter apparently de-
lighting in the growing anger of the wit
ness.
The majority of the committee took the
part of the witness.
The examination today had reference
principally to the preparation by the presi-
dent of his letter of September 49, which
eXonerated the secretary of the charges
of Special Agent L. r. CLAWS and directed
the dismissal of the latter.
Mr.. Brandes through his questions
brought out that although the president
did not receive the answers of Mr.. Bal
linger and his associates his letter was
issued just one week later, following
busy week at Beverly, filled with golf,
speeches and preparations for his approach
ing transcontinental trip. His evident eff
fort was to show that the president did not
himself, prepare the letter. He also tried
to show by alleged inaccuracies in the
letter that it was based upon misinforma-
ton from the Interior department.
Letters from Garfield.
Mr.. Ballinger read a number of letters
exchanged between himself and James r.
NJ
ton lawyer, subsequent to the last national
election in reference to prominence which
had been given his name in connection with
the portfolio OF secretary of the interior
In his letter to Garfield, he referred to the
lasting friendship and confidence ne had for
Mr. Garfield, and that he hoped he would
be continued as the head of the Interior
department. Garfield's reply was equally
friendly in tone and began:
My Dear Dick"
Mr. Cops letter asked for a private in
terview in Washington in which he wished
to explain the cruel influence which the
Northern Pacific railroad has in the secre-
tary's office at present" lie wrote that
the influence of the Pacific roads has
been notorious even under democratic ad-
ministrations."
Clash over Trip to Beverly.
MI Brandes then took the witness in
hand, He had proceeded only short time
in his cross-eXamination when another
sharp clash occurred. The LAWYER had
asked the witness why he had gone TO
Beverly to see the presiden. after he had
prepared in writing all of the information
in the possession OF his department, bear
ing on the Cunningham cases.
Mr.. Ballinger said he went to Beverly
because he had been invited by letter,
whereupon Mr. Brandeis asked him to point
out the paragraph in the letter containing
the invitation.
Mr.. Ballinger read a paragraph.
Does that contain any invitation to come
to Beverly" demanded Mr. Brandeis.
strictly speaking, no."
Then why did YOU 90 to Beverly?"
Because l wanted to-"
Mr.. DENLY republican, broke in impa-
tiently: Il think this line Of cross-exam-