Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-04-10
Congress shoves Much Of It's Work
on Department,
FAMOUS CLAWS BOX OPENED
ChristianSen Shows Committee Where
He Pound Missing Letters.
MINERAL EXPERT ON THE STAND
Alfred II. Brooks says Alaska 70 Re-
trOEressinE Because Coal De-
posits Are Not Available
for Uses

WASHINGTON. April s.-Frsnk Pierce,
s.-st assistant secretary Of the INTERIOR
r-ho began his service under Secretary Gar
raid. took the witness stand at the Bal
Nnr.r- Pinchot inquiry late today and de-
oIsred that, after turning over the Cum
ripRhan cases 70 him early in 1se' secrs-
tarv BaiIinger had not attempted in any
way 10 influence his judgment or action
Mr.. Pierce had but fairly begun his testi-
rponv when adjournment was taken until
Friday next.
Efforts were made " Chairman Nelson
today to have the committee meet three
times each wek instead OF two. Several Of
the senator's objected and the matter went
over for CONSTIPATION next Saturday
Testimony regarding the twenty-four
missing letters said TO have been found in
Claws effects in Seattle. was finally con-
cluded today. This testimony has been
introduced as an impeachment OF Claws.
II has occupied much time.
Mineral Expert Testifies.
Alfred r. Brooks, mineral expert Of the
Eeographical survey, was on the stand
when adjournment was taken yesterday.
Mr.. Brooks strongly favors the opening
Of the Alaskan coal fields and declares the
territory is retrogressing as a result Of
The government policy Of withholding the
coal lands.
Attorney Brandeis postponed further
determination Of Mr.. Christensen until
he could have time 10 read over the mass
Of documentary evidence put in regarding
the disappearance and subsequent discovery
Of twenty-four missing letters among
CLAWS effects at Seattle.
CLAWS claims the discovery OF the let
ters in his box was frame up" Tesu-
mony introduced yesterday showed that
search had been under way for the letters
for four months prior to their discovery.
The search had been begun long before an
investigation Of Mr.. Ballinger had been
mentioned.
CLAWS Box Opened.
Before EcfnE into public session the con-
rnittee opened the famous CLAWS box from
Seattle and Andrew Christensen explained
Just where he found the twenty-four miss
ing letters.
Mr. Brooks continued his testimony. He
related that the United States controlled
from 50 TO % per cent Of the worlds visible
supply OF coal and that at the present rate
Of consumption IL would require lslS years
TO exhaust the supply in the United States
These figures were arbitrary, the witness
said Figured on a basis OF the increased
use OF coal in the future at the same rate
Of increase OF the last two or three yeaTs.
Nj Brooks said It had been estimated that
the supply in the United States would be
exhausted In from 100 10 $50 years. Some
where between the estimates Of 100 and
800 years, he declared. the truth was 20 be
found
III the supply viii last 5000 years we
don't need TO bother about conservation
for 500 or 5000 years" remarked Repre-
sentative Madison. but Il ii will only last
No years. We are up against it,
Too Much Alarm.
Mr. Brooks said he thought there had
been too much alarm as TO the exhaustion
OF the coal supply. Other factors Of power
are coming into general use and this in
time viii decrease the use OF coal I'M
proved methods Of consumption also are re-
sulting in the decreased use OF coal
As a general proposition the witness said
he favored the leasing OF coal lands, but
ne thought the Alaska fields were too far
away from transportation TO be employed
TO advantage. He thought such a price
should be put on the lands in Alaska. how
ever as 10 prevent speculative holding OF
The property and require its being worked
AR. Brandeis wanted to know II the Wit
ness did not think Il was perfsctly absurd
that a man OF CLAWS "urdoubtsd ability. 20
u he had wanted 10 conceal" The papers
mould have put them in an uncovered box
the federal building. Christensen said
ne thought CLAWS was capable Of most
anything"
You mean anything bad" said Brsndeis;
but did you ever hear Of his doing any
thing foolish, except TO send that letter Of
August Il 70 President Taftg''
Many Suspended Gases.
The witness could not think Of anything
The attorney asked hundred or more
questions dealing with the witness state
of mind until Representative Madison sug-
gested that he leave that line OF Inquiry
and go into something else.
Representative Madison sought 10 show
Sy questions that the Interior department
Dy its Instructions Of Christensen 10 have
a grand jury inquiry, vas trying 10 bring
about the Indictment Of CLAWS. OF the
editors of Collser's Weekly Of Clifford. OF
Pierce and A. e. shaw. The witness
would not admit that this vas the whole
purpose OF the inquiry nor thar IL VAS the
desire % The Interior department he said
that names OF ths men mentioned came uu
ln hls mlnd In connection with the investl-
gallon.
Whc' Christensen had finally been dis.
posed ci Frank Pierre. firzt assistant secre-
- oi me int"- .oT, Was called. Mr Pierce
san MIS- service under Secretary Garfield
90 November, 1877 tie detailed 10 the com.
mittee an q the various duties OF the
secretary of the interior. ending by ssyine
they are 6urdeusome and manifold r'
When congress passes new legisla-
ilon- ne SAID. ''and can't think of any
one else 10 give the supervision no. ,bsy
turn o. over 10 abe Interior dsDartm-nt /,
AR Pierce said he vas himself caue5
I Ipou 90 siEn see 10 1000 letters snd docu.
nents a day. Many OF these are natur-
iiiy prepared in the various bureaus OF
ib1 department
,t tao time Ar Baninssr came into