The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-18
Declares Ballinger Knew
Cunningham Claims False
When Counsel.
IMPROPER CONDUCT
DIRECTLY CHARGED
Deposed Agent, on Cross-Examl-
nation, Flatly States Reasons
for Accusations.
By WALTER I FAHY.

louis r Claws. under cross-examin-
alton 5v J. J. ver1rees. counsel for Sec
tary Baunger. today told the investi-
eating committee Of the facts which in
his opinion constituted misconduct on
the part of Mr.. BaUinger ia connection
with the AIasko coal land cases
He called attention 10 the fact that as
land commissioner M BauInger had an
irtimate knowledge Of the Alaska coal
cases. and with his knowledge Of the
status OF these cases ne returned 20
Seattle and became attorney for the
Cunningham and Green groups
Mr.. BaIinger, Claws said, drew up the
affidavit in which the CunninEhams
sought to present their claimsN in a
new light before the General Land Of
hoe- Claws said that In discussing these
claims with 1Ir- Bauin=er he Informed
the former commissioner Of the evidence
IN his possession tending TO fraud, and
that NJ. BauinEe- asked mis- advice as
20 the best manner to be followed IN
getting patents for his clients
II was the affidavit drawn By Ral!in-
ger and s1I5mitted ny him 10 Secretary
Garfield In behalf o. the Cunningham
that brought from r. r. Schwartz,
chief OF the field division. that IL vas
Ingenious but not convincing This
comment on the Cunningham claim was
omitted from the naperz which were
sent 10 President Taft when he was de-
Gliding the merits OF the charges pre-
sented tn ? frl r.y- JsIa~is. but If vas
later sent TO the President by BIr. Bal
linE=r. and ny him ira. .suittcd IT a spe-
cial message 20 the senate
Gave Evidence Personally.
CLAWS admitted that I'D 10 the time
sir. BaUin-er had resigned as Land
Commissioner he had not scut any re-
ports 20 the office indicating what he be
lived TO be the fraudulent character OF
rhe Cunningham claim Pgt he reiter-
atad that he personally save this in
formation To EaITiDEer. after he resumed
tne practice Of Law In Seattle
Mr. NeTfree- caused r stir among tHs
members or trc committee when T.,
asked CLAWS II he had any krawIclz,
0f BaIIfnEeT accepting stock in -Iht
Green group In payment for legal ser
vices Claws looked surprised by tht
question. but answered that he had not
The question Interested members CE the
committee and Nh Flint asked fF h-
understood that CLAWS made the state
uent that EaIil-er had Green stock
After couferriuC with his associates
Ar EcrJrees declared V-at he har
another case in mind when ne PROFOUND
Cd The question. and later suppIemeute,
this statement by another one 10 IN,
effect that BaIliUEe- had accepted Stoci
n railroad company for services rem
SSred- Nj Bra1der- counsel for Claws
laughed Al the apparent discomftu-
OF rouneSI on the other side. and a buz
OF comment went around the room
Claws abs0IveG Secretary BaIIu-e
o. having any Knowledge Of The fac
that his GIme Uas 60 he cIimiua-a
from the wilson coal cases, ana saa
so far as 6s knew it done by aEreemeu
Aer.veeu counsel for the G0vernmeu
sGd defendant without The consent %
M EslliuEeE
The possibility that an attempt WI
ne made 20 impeach the testimony @
Louis r CLAWS developed today whe1
1pon the investigation being resumed
J. J. Nertrees. counsel for SecreJar
Continued on Second PaEe)