New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-06
GARFIELDA WITNESS
PINCHOT FINISHES
TESTTMONY.
Explains flirting of DoUiuer
Letter-W0re differences
-fgainst BalHnger.

former chief of the Forest Service fin
isaeG his testimony before the Ballnger-
Pinchot committee late this afternoon and
was succeeded on the stand by James r
Garfield, eN-Secretarv OF the Interior.
When adjournment was taken until Thurs
lax. N- Garfield was in the midst Of an
explanation of the various coal land bills
which were considered by Congress in his
administration. His testimony was confined
almost entirely 10 recital Of his part IN
developing the policy of water power with
6sawals. It was announced that he would
discuss at length the conservation question
i.r its application 10 coal lands both in
Alaska and in the Western states and ter
ritories. With respect 10 the Withdrawal
of lands containing wateTpower SITES he
declared there had been no subterfuSe, no
dealing in the dark As to the charge that
the power site Withdrawals were too large,
Mr.. Garfield said he thought a great mis-
take had been made in not making some
of them larger
Little of interest was developed in the
redirect examination OF Nj Pinchot II
was plain that members OF the committee
were annoyed because the witness insisted
on giving his differences and conclusions
Several times they suggested that time was
being wasted and that members OF the
con1rnittee were able to draw their own
conclusions from the evidence. Judge Yer
trees, counsel for Secretary BaliinseT, was
criticised by Representative Graham be-
cause he insisted on having Mr. Plnchol
give first hand information as 10 alleged
wrorgdoing by Mr.. Ballinger- Judge YER
trees explained that he wanted TO make
ir clear that the former chief Of the For
Get Service based his entire case upon
s43snicion and not on facts, He called
special attention to Mr. Pinchots charge
mat Mr. Bailinger had deceived the Presl-
dent by inclosing in one of his commum-
cations a letter written by friend when
contained errors. on the other hand, there
We're three absolute misstatements admit
ted by the witness in letters to the Presl-
dent hv Mr.. Pinchot- Mr. Nertrees said
lie wanted 10 show that if Mr.. Ballinger
CHANGED in any way TO make mlsstate-
rr,enf. based on his best knowledge and be
Iief. it was regarded by Mr.. Pinchot as "a
deception of the President, whereas ms
statements made TO the President by Mr.
Pfnchot were termed simple mistakes.
Work of Forest Service.
AT the afternoon session Senator Fletcher
snte4rogated Mr.. Pinchot at length as 10
the details of his administration OF the
Forrest Service. Mr.. Fletcher intimated that
The withdrawal from entry for national
forests of an area Of land greater lhan
Ike New England States, one-third OF TINS
land not being in fact forest lana, might
involve the governments going into busl-
moss on an extensive scale TO develop
psterpoNer 10 cut and sell timber, to craze
cattle etc Mr.. Pinchot said that the maxi
mum. force of Forest Service employees was
about three thousand. and that the cost OF
-g,a
the receipts by about $2,000,0oo d year He
added. however, that ten times this amount
Gas saved by the work of the Forest Ser
vice in preventing forest fires.
Inst before Nj Pinchot left the stand
senator Nelson asked him if lie had in
duced President Roosevelt TO veto the bills
authorizing the construction OF certain
dams. Mr.. PinGhot replied that he was not
sure that he had induced Mr.. Roosevelt to
veto these billssF Il certainly advised him
to- he said amid laughter
Mr. Nelson then said that he would ask
q question that Mr.. Pinchot need not an
swer unless he wanted TO. Did you write
The veto messages" he asked At this
there was general laughter Mr.. Pinchot
said that he preferred not 10 answer. Rep
lesentative James suggested that if Mr..
Roosevelt was 10 be investigated he ought
to have a chance TO be heard.
He will probably be back before we get
through said Representative Graham.
Mr. Nertrees read TO the witness a part
Of a message by President Roosevelt. Mr..
T5inchot listened earnestly and then snapped
back:
do YOU read in that message any in
situation that Mr.. Roosevelt favored the
patenting of claims not made in good
faith?''
Calls Pinchot Roosevelt"
~ am insinuating nothing, Mr.. Roose-
Welt said Nj. Nertrees-
..Tbat is not my name Mr.. Pinchot re
piled.
well. didn't Mr.. Roosevelt say what I
lust read your" Mr.. Eertrees asked.
.tOf course, he did, said Mr.. Pinchot.
NJ. Pinchot finally. by dint of much
questioning. was brought TO the admission
that Mr.. Ballinger's statement to the Pres
i5e,,t was TO the effect that according to
echwartz's answer the record shows,
etc and that il was not an original state
Ynent By the Secretary. Mr. Ballinger had
70 rely on the statements of his subordi-
mates Mr.. Eertrees argued with the Wit
ness. lust as the witness had relied wholly
on the statements of others in his charges
against the Secretary OF the Interior.
Ir. kertreeS mere switched ~ MI L III
cnot's motives in writing the letter 10 Sen
afor DoIIiyer which caused his removal.
Why He Wrote Doliver Letter.
II wrote il because L thought it wise
that the cases of Messrs. Price and Shaw
should be presented the same time rs
Mr. Wickershams defence of Mr.. Balm
ger and because Mr.. DolliVer asked me to-
Did you consider whether or not that
letter would cause your removal by the
PRESIDENT
u thought it was about an even chance
whether / would be removed or not"
And you decided TO take the chance?'
Yes
. "You wrote that letter rather than resign
although the relations between you and tle
9Iesident were as cordial as the letters you
have introduced here have shown
ee'i had told the President I would not
sesign."
when Gid you first make up your mind
10 assault Secretary Ballinger?"
The witness protested against the form
So tie question. saying he had not made up
bis mind 10 attack Secretary Ballineer but
re did decide 20 defend the policy Of con
-srratioH.
LAS 10 mis- charges against Mr.. Ballinger,
Mr. lsiuehot SAID Re made Up his mind 10
,g7refel. f4sri alyous Teu Ga-S before he wrote