Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-10

no real effort TO learn the facts or 10
understand his position He also said
that Mr.. Garfield had highly commend
ed his course while in the government
service and that he could only explain
his change of spirit 10 the fact that
his mind had been poisoned against
him by misstatements.
Mr.. Rallinger was in error. said
Mr. Garfield. Il made every effort 10
obtain the facts before writing TO the
President"
Attorney Pepper also read into tho
record an exchange OF letters between
rotary Pierce in August last. IL APP
peared from these that Senator Gug-
genheim had asked to have certain
lands at La Junta, Colo. set apart as
an arid park the withdrawal 20 be
made under the supervisory power IS
with waterpower sites. Mr.. BallinGer
directed that the withdrawal be made
What is an arid park" askei
Senator Root.
II don't know"
Maybe it's the same as a dry town."
suggested Representative Olmsted
Use of Certificates.
Mr.. Garfield next was examined as to
the plan he adopted OF cooperating with
water users associations as to reclama-
tion projects. and the issuance by him OF
reclamation certificates which came to
be known as Garfield currency" The
certificates were given as evidences of
work done on projects. the certificates to
be turned in in payment OF water charges
when water was delivered on the land.
Secretary Ballinger acting under an
opinion of Attorney General Wickersham,
stopped this practice.
Mr. Garfield charged today that neither
Mr.. Wickersham nor President Taft had
the facts and complete information before
them on which to base a proper decision
as to the certificates.
But the law makes no provision for
payments in abor instead of money, does
lt?" asked Senator Nelson.
No The witness then declared that
during all the time the certificates were
being issued there were funds available
to carry on the work. The certificates
were in reality, he said, simply a method
OF keeping books There was no effort
to augment the reclamation fund by the
certificates.
Mr.. Garfield declared that Attorney
General Wickersham had held that the
cooperative contracts would be valid IL
there were funds available for the work.
He evidently had in mind the idea that
there were no funds available continued
Mr.. Garfield, when as a matter OF fact
some 100000 was available all the
time
Attorney Pepper here ended his exam
ination, but Attorney Brandeis inter
rogated the witness further regarding the
Doesn't Remember Conference.
Secretary Ballinger in his reply to
President Taft stated that when he re-
ceived CLAWS protest against the clear
listing of the Cunningham claims he
brought the matter to the attention OF
Secretary Garfield. as Gov. Moore. one
of the claimants. already had seen Mr..
Garfield. He said further that he recon-
mended to Mr.. Garfield that the patents
be held up and that the Secretary agreed
with him.
DO you recall any such conference
with Commissioner Ballinger?" asked Mr..
Brandeis.
Il do not. I may have seen Gov. Moore
at some time, but to the best of my rec
| objection / had no conference with Com
missioner Ballinger to the patents in
the Cunningham cases"
so il the patents were suspended the
action was taken by Mr.. Ballinger or
| some subordinate on his own RESPONSE
| bility?" asked Senator Nelson.
Il had nothing to do with it,
| ton IL it had been presented to you,
| wouldn't your
Yes, / most certainly would"
did you ever know that the Cunning
ham claims had been clear-listed?" asked
Mr.. Brandeis.
Il did not"
THAT action would not have met your
approval would ft?''
Most certainly not
| The witness declared that the Cunning
ham claims were purely land Office mat
| ter and there was occasion for Mr..
Ballinger to call them to his attention.
The luncheon recess here was ordered