Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-04
P|NCH0T IS PRESSED
Asked for Specific Instances
of BaIIinger's Misdeeds.
VERTREES WANTS TO KNOW
Attorney Resumes Cross-Examination
of Former Forester.
DECEPTION AGAIN CHARGED
Secretary Accused of Misrepresenta-
tien to President in Reference
to Decision by Controller.
VERTREES WANTS TO KNOW
DECEPTION AGAIN CHARGED

10 O6ClSiOu Dy OOntIOiltEs
The cross-examination of Clifford Pin
chot proceeded slowly before the con-
Eressional investigating committee to-
day.
Mr.. Vertrees. counsel for Secretary
Baliinger. and Mr. Pinchot got into long
arguments as to the meaning of some Of
the lawyers questions. They also argued
almost continuously as to differences to
We drawn from documentary evidence.
Dir. Vertrees did draw from the witness
the fact that his only flrst-hand knowl-
edge of any act rejecting upon Mr.. Bal
linger In connection with the Cunning
ham cases was based on the letter sent
by Mr.. Ballinger to President Taft No
yember Il.
With reference TO his claim that Mr..
Ballinger had deceived the President
concerning a decision by the controller
OF the Treasury, Mr.. Pinchot admitted
that Mr.. BaIlinger's written statement to
the President was a fair one and the
documents that he submitted were all
that properly bore upon the case. He
insisted. however. that there was the
unavoidable inference that Mr.. Ballin-
ger had communicated in some other
way with the President.
Mr.. Vertrees also brought out the fact
that the cooperative agreement with the
forest service. which Mr.. Ballinger dis
continued, was not the usual arrange
ment whereby one department lends its
employees temporarily to another. but
provided that employees of the Interior
Department should be under the ex-
elusive control and jurisdiction of the for
ester.
Much Interest In Inquiry.
While interest in the investigation had
already been attested by large crowds
At all of the sessions of the committee.
the crush TO get inside the hearing room
since Clifford Pinchot took the stand has
hesn spoh thar evan the handing of news
paper copy out OF the room has been at
times made impossible Ninety-nine out
of the hundred spectators crowded about
the committee table daily are women.
Louis r. CLAWS was the hero of the
throng while he was on the stand accus-
ing Secretary Ballinger. but he has gone
into eclipse now that Mr.. Pinchot, the de-
D0SeQ
ton. is holding the center of the stage.
The Pdnchot family has long been
prominent In the exclusive social circles
of the capital. and since MI. P1ncnot
took the stand many of the leaders OF
this set have been present Mrs. Pinchot.
the mother of the former forester, mas
been at the hearings almost daily. She
usually is surrounded by half score of
friends.
Cross-Examination Resumed.
When the committee adjourned Tues
day afternoon the cross-examtnation OF
Mr.. Ptnchot had just been begun by
Attorney John j. Vertrees. representing
Mr.. Ballinger and the other accused Of
ncials of the Interior Department. When
the hearing was resumed this morning
there was every indication that Mr..
Pinchot would be on the stand all day.
AS soon as Mr. Pinchot took the stand
Attorney yertrees said to him:
Mr.. Pinchot, please state one single
fact of your own knowledge that reflects
upon Mr.. Ballinger's conduct either as
commissioner of the land office or Sec
retary of the Interior-not hearsay. not
what somebody else said or wr0te-oI
your own knowledge.
The witness hesitated- Then he ad-
dressed Senator Nelson:
Mr. Chairman, in order TO answer that
question. because OF the nice discrimina-
tion IT involves. l must ask your permits
sion to refer to a list / have here of the
things Mr.. Ballinger has done"
The permission was granted and after
a perusal OF the list Mr.. Pinchot said:
The fact of my own knowledge is Mr..
BalIinger's letter TO the President of No
venber 15, with which he inclosed the
Ronald letter These letters contain mis-
statements which | have already shown
and am prepared further TO show
Mr. Vertrees: You have testified here
largely by inference and innuendo. Now
state what you personally know Mr.. Bal
lipger said or did.
Mr.. Pinchot: "The letter of November
I5''
Mr.. yertrees: ''what else?''
Mr. Pinchot: II never discussed the
Cunningham cases with Mr. Ballinger
The only knowledge j have at first hand
Is limited TO writings that are not dis
puted."
Questioned as to the reprinand Inc
gave Assistant Law Officer Shaw ant
Assistant Forester Price. Mr.. Pincho'
admitted that "at heart" he approved oi
the motives OF the two in doing wha,
they did, but did not approve Of theil
method OF doing it.
Mr. Pinchot denied that either he o,
any of his people owned stock in the
Pocahontas Coal Company.
The family has some stock In Goa
company In Illinois,. he added. "but
have not"
Pinchot Distrusted Ballinger.
Mr. Pinchot said that up to tho tim,
he sent CLAWS to President Taft the rela
tions between himself and Mr.. Ballingel
had been fairly friendly. not more thar
than"
He was not more friendly because h,
knew Mr.. Ballinger's views as to con
servation were different from his own.
Then you were unfriendly?"
NO, ] distrusted him.
You mean distrusted his policies"
Il distrusted his policies and what h
would do
$50. Mr.. Pinchot.' said Mr.. Vertrees
.-le committee when you took the stand
of your own knowledge Is the letter o
November Is to the President?"
II said ! expected to prove some o
the things l charged by other witnesses,
Didn't Read Ballinger's Letter.
Referring to his testimony that NJ,
Ballinger, as commissioner of the Ian,
office. protested against the creation o
the Chugach forest in Alaska, In whicl
some OF the Cunningham claims are 10
Gated. Mr.. Pinchot said he had neve
read Mr., BalIinEers letter of protest
Continued on Twelfth Psgey