The Detroit times., 1910-05-18
SAYS ASHES IN
CRATE TELL STORY
stenokrapher Kerby, Who Made Elk
pose Of Taft's "Whitewash" Letter,
Testifes Letters Were Burned.

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-"The
ashes are still in the CRATE In the in
terror department. and with them are
more ashes that have accumulated
since the first papers were burned"
said Frederick Kerby, the stenogra-
pher, who made the expose OF the Bal
hnger "whitewash" letter. while testi-
Tying before the congressional inves-
tigating committee yesterday after
noon.
Attorney Brandeis yesterday after
noon asked the investigating commit
tee TO demand that the interior de-
partment produce all correspondence
between Secretary Ballinger and
George w. Perkins, OF the Morgan
Guggenheim interests.
Stenographer Kerby had testified
that Perkins asked Ballinger person
ally to recommend an engineer for
work In Alaska and that considerable
correspondence was exchanged.
Ballinger, upon request OF Perkins
to recommend a good engineer to go
TO Alaska. had recommended Thorn
son; subsequently, however, Thomson
found that he could not go, the wit
ness said.
Attorney Vertrees protested. IL
think 1t is time to stop this calling
for personal correspondence. We have
given you these letters regarding En-
gineer Thomson and you see there is
nothing In them"
Vertrees paused and an audible tit
ter rippled over the room.
They don't show anything" start
ed up Vertrees holly.
Il don't know about that" remark
ed Rep. James Besides, that is for
us to Judge, when we want an argu-
ment we will ask for it,"
II made my answer" explained
Vertrees. in reply, Ito the 'giggle
and snicker.'"
We'll, just remember" said James,
that the giggle and smoker don't get
into the record"
Chairman Nelson Becomes Indignant.
Chairman Nelson Indignantly told
Attorney Brandeis that there was no
testimony affecting the Morgan-Gug.
genheim operations in Alaska that re-
fiected on Ballinger.
That's just your version Of IT," he
told BranGeIs.
And suppose your answer to me
Is your personal View" retorted
Brandeis.
After a statement by Vertrees that
he was not afraid to produce these
letters, the committee voted to have
them produced for consideration as to
their relation to the investigation.
Kerby picked out the following
statement by Secretary Ballinger as
being untrue;
II have stated about all know or
can recall as to the contents OF 1t
referring to the Lawler draft. II
was resume of the facts as to the
CLAWS charges. Whether IL related to
the papers that were delivered to the
president regarding the cooperative
crtifcate matter of Withdrawals, do
not rememo.r.
Kerby declared that Ballinger did
not know exactly what the Lawler
draft was.
Attorney Vertrees then produced the
original statement as signed by Kerby.
He identified changes aud corrections
I'm the statement as being in his own
handwriting and that Of those who aid
cd him. The witness declared that q
number OF things were stricken out.
81 wanted the statement to be abso-
lutely true and correct. and where
was not certain, cut things out" he
said.
The witness then read long series
Of communications relating to his
charge that Ballinger had offered New
ellis place to r. II. Thomson, Of Sc
attic.
The correspondence was between
Thomson and Ballinger and George
W. Perkins, of ]. P. Morgan & Co.
Reclamation Service Mentioned
There was frequent mention in the
letters of the reclamation service. In