Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-26
STARTS THE PR0BE FOR DAY OF REST
Joint Committee Begins Bal Sunday Observance Bill Dis
Inger-Pinchot Inquiry cussed in the Senate.
GL AVIS IS FIRST WITNESS DEBATE AGAIN TOMORROW
Evidence De- Reported Following
posed Officials yoable Action in Committee
ATTORNEYS TO BE PRESENT SECULAR LABOR FORBIDDEN
Me-
Subcommittee to Charity, nj
Session Each
Joint Committee Begins Bal
Iinger-Pinchot Inquiry.
CLAWS is FIRST WITNESS
Foundation Laid for Evidence of De-
posed Officials.
ATTORNEYS TO BE PRESENT
Secretary Ballinger Declines Coun
subcommittee to Hold -Four
Sessions Each Week.

Investigation of the Ballinger-Pinchot
controversy by joint committee of
Congre began this afternoon.
l.. r. CLAWS. who made charges against
Secretary of the Interior Ballinger and
other officials of the Interior Department
in connection with Alaskan coal lands,
and who lost his position by executive
order after the President had pronounced
the charges unfounded, was the first
witness.
His testimony, which is being heard
this afternoon. will, it is understood, lay
the foundation for the evidence to be
given by former Forester Clifford Pinchot,
former Assistant Forester o. W. Price
and former Law Officer Alexander Shaw.
who were also dismissed from the federal
service for their activity in the con-
troversy.
Represented by Counsel.
Vt the opening session CLAWS was rep
resented by the counsel who will protect
his interests throughout the investiga-
tion, Louis d. Brands of Boston and
Joseph b. Cotton Of New York. Other
lawyers. representing other persons in
interest in the inquiry, were also in at
1tiuuhNSs anu NSiS SiNCh thC pAAsAICoC
Of asking questions of the witness to
bring out special points favorable to
their clients.
The decision of the committee to begin
the investigation today is regarded with
much significance at the Capitol. There
Is general discussion that, while the probe
is to be thorough one, 1t is to be car
ried out with all speed and completed
in advance of the next congressional
elections.
The congressional inquiry, il is under
stood. was approved by the administra-
tion with view to clarifying the pOliti-
cal atmosphere and nullifying any bad
effect which the controversy might have
produced. 1t is recognized that the cleo
tions to be held next November will be
hand fought and that the democrats, with
high hopes of securing control of the
next House, will try to make all the pO-
litical capital they can out of the con-
troversN
In administrative circles however. il is
expected that the testimony will clearly
uphold the course pursued by Secretary
Ballinger SINCE he became head of the
Interior Department, and in that way
strengthen the present administration.
Therefore, the inquiry will, it Is believed,
he pushed to an early conclusion.
Four Sessions Each Week.
The committee at it's session yesterday
afternoon decided to hold four regular
sessions each week-from 10 until /
O'Clock and from te + o'clock Fridays
and Saturdays OF each week. Other
meetings will be held at such times as
the members can agree upon. The joint
committee is composed of Senators Mel
son. Root. Flint, Paynter and Fletcher
and Representatives Mccall, Olmsted,
Denby, Madison, James and Graham.
According TO reports submitted at yes
terday's session by Chairman Nelson,
Messrs Pinchot Price and Shaw will be
represented during the investigation by
George W. Pepper of Philadelphia as
their attorney. Mr.. CLAWS will have
Messrs Brands of Boston and Cotton of
New York. Secretary Ballinger will have
no counsel before the investigation, unless
he changes his present plans. He told
Chairman Nelson that he believes the in
quiry will be broad and complete and
that in such case he does not desire a
lawyer to defend him.