Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10
Assistant Secretary Supreme
in Cunningham Cases.
Mr.. PIERCE TAKES STAND
Garfield Hold.0ver Defends Present
Interior Head.
HINT AT BIG INDICTMENTS
Witness Refused to Say Grand Jury
Inquiry Was Aimed at Gif
ford Pinchot.

Frank Pierce. first assistant secretary
of the interior, who began his service I'M
der Secretary Garfield, took the witness
stand at the Ballinger-Pinchot inquiry
late yesterday and declared that after
turning over the Cunningham cases to
him early in 1909 Secretary Ballinger had
not attempted in any way to interfere
with his control and direction Of the cases
and had not attempted to influence his
Judgment or action. Mr.. Pierce had but
fairly begun his testimony when adjourn
ment was taken until next Friday.
Efforts were made by Chairman Nelson
yesterday to have the committee meet
three times each week instead Of two.
Several of the senators objected and the
matter went over for, consideration next
Saturday.
missing letters said to have been found In
a box among CLAWS effects in Seattle was
finally concluded yesterday. This test1-
mony has been introduced as an i'm
parchment of CLAWS. 1t has occupied
much time.
Witness Accuses CLAWS.
At the afternoon session Andrew Chris
Jensen took the stand for cross examina-
declared 1t was his firm conviction that
the letters were put in the box.
by you?" interrupted Brandeis.
mo, by Claws" retorted Christensen.
"All the evidence indicates that fact."
Representative Madison sought to show
by questions that the Interior Depart
ment by its instructions to Christensen
to have q grand jury inquiry, was trying
to bring about the Indictment Of Claws
of the editors of Golfers Weekly, Of Gift
ford Pinchot of o. w. Price and A; c:
Shaw The witness would not admit
that this was the whole purpose OF the
inquiry. nor that it was the desire Of the
Interior Department He said the names
of the men mentioned came up in his
mind in connection with the investigation.
First Assistant Secretary of the Inter
Tor Pierce detailed to the committee all
of the various duties of the Secretary Of
the Interior, ending by saying: They
are burdensome and manifold"
When Congress passes NEW, new iesis,a
one else to give the supervision to- turns
1t over to the Interior Department.
No Interference Attempted.
In the middle Of May. 1909, Mr.. Pierce
said, ex-C3ov. Miles G. Moore of Washing
ton came to see Secretary Ballinger.
THE Secretary called me in and said
he had been consulted with reference to
the Cunningham claims while he was
out OF the government service. and he
wanted me to act on all matters con-
nected with that case. 1 talked with
Gov. Moore about the cases. He COM
planned Of the delay in acting upon the
claims. sen. for Mr.. Finney. assistant
to the Secretary. who in turn sent for
CLAWS, and we discussed the cases in
some detail. That was the only time l
ever talked with Claws. The next day l
told Gov. Moore that a prima facie case
appeared in the record and he could not
have his patents. Mr.. Moore was very
much chagrined and put out He wrote
to Secretary Baliinger that I had proved
a disappointment and that he was going
home with message that would give
scant comfort to his associates. At this
time CLAWS had possession Of the newly
discovered Cunningham journal"
From that time to this" asked Mr..
Vsrtrees, has Secretary Ballinger at
tempted to interfere with your direction
or control of the cases, or ATTEMPTED to
influence your judgment or action?"
He positively has not"
Adjournment was taken. until Friday
next.