Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-02

M ASHINGTON, April 1.-The most
w serious clash that has yet oc-
CURED among the members Of
the Ballinger-Pinchot investigating
committee marked the sitting today.
The row was precipitated when
Chairman Nelson accused Attorney
Brandies, representing the "prosecu-
ton" of attempting to deceive tho
committee of to conceal something. The
attorney. flushed with anger; jumped to
his feet and demanded that the chair
mans remark be withdrawn.
Democratic members Of the commit
tee were quick to take up the defense
of the attorney, and Representative
Graham OF Illinois moved that the
chairman be directed to withdraw the
imputation. Representative James Sec
onded the motion.
There followed a general discussion.
A number of Republicans said they did
not agree with Senator Nelson that
Mr.. Brandies was attempting conceal
ment of any sort, but at the same time
they would not vote to compel the
chairman to withdraw mis- remark.
1t was argued by Representative
Madison, the insurgent member, that
the chairman, in making his remarks.
reflected only his personal views, and
in no way committed any other men,
ber.
Representative James argued that
the matter Mr.. Brandies was accused
of concealing was on record before the
committee, and consequently there
could be no deception If the committee
members paid attention.
The matter finally was disposed of
by motion from Representative Ohm
stead to lay on the table. This was
carried by vote of to g.
TWO WITNESSES TESTIFY
Two witnesses testified today on be-
half of Mr. Ballinger. They were Dis
trict Attorney Elmer +. Todd of Seat
tie and United States Marshal H. X.
Love of Alaska. Mr.. Love formerly
was a special agent Of the land office.
| Both OF the witnesses declared state
| ments by Special Agent II. T. JONES'
| for the prosecution, were false.
The direct examination occupied but
few minutes, the cross-examinations
by Mr.. Brandies taking up the rest or
the session.
Mr.. Todd and Mr.. Love were pre-
! ared for the onslaught of the CLAWS
attorney, and their answers sometimes
were as sharp as the thrusts of the
lawyer.
There had been testimony before the
committee from time to time indicating
that Mr. Love, as special agent, was
warped in his judgment by the fact
shalship of the Third division of Alas
ka. He was asked today what influence
he actually was depending upon to get
the place.
"WeIl," he began, 81 happened to be
a trooper in Col. Roosevelt's regi-
ment-"
'You need go no farther" interrupted
Senator Flint amid laughter.
Elmer r. Todd, United States district
attorney at Seattle, the first witness,
said the statement by Agent H. I.
Jones that he had advised against GRIM
inal action in the Alaska cases be
cause Judge Hanford was constitutions
ally opposed to land fraud trials gener-
ally" was absolutely false.
Attorney Vertrees read the CLAWS
testimony in which CLAWS said he did
not send the letter because he heard
Commissioner Dennet of the land office
was coming to Seattle, and he could
talk it over with him.
"You knew that" said Chairman Nell
son to Brandeis. "Why didn't you tell
the committee?"
"Mr. Chairman" shouted the attor-
ney in a voice which could be heard
far down the corridors, II object siren
uously to the statement that l have
attempted to conceal anything"
Representative Graham (DemocraD-
'I must move that the chairman be
directed to withdraw that remark"
This motion precipitated discussion
in which much feeling was shown. The
motion to lay on the table ended 1t.