New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-30
ALL CHARGES FALSE,
SAYS Mr.. BALL|NCER
9layiS'S Statements Declared To
Be "Wilful and DELHI
crate Lies"
REVIEWS HIS RECORD
Defends His Course in Connec-
ton with Cunningham Claims,
and Would Take Same
Action Again.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington. April 2e-For six hours To-
SAY Secretary BGllineer laid bare 20 the
Baliinger- Finchot committee the principal
events Of his busy private and public ca
reer In q simple. direct and positive way
ne told The story ~ his official relations 20
he govern nent. several times using the
shorter aud uClier word" in commenting
81 the charges made against him by his
enemies He VS. the star witness OF the
so-caIed defence" in the conservation
heht. and when he left the stand THIS after
noon his supporters felt that he had laid
he groundwork for the complete overthrow
~ the attacks 20 which he and his depart
naent have been subjected for nearly a
year. Mr. Baliinger took the stand az the
opening OF the morning session, and was
not more than half through HIS direct ex-
animation when adjournment was taken az
9 O'Clock.
Mr. Ballinre-'s story was unfolded in
chronological order in reply 20 questions Of
his counsel Judge Nertrees. He told Of his
life before entering the government service
az Commissioner Of the General Land Of
Gee. the circumstances of his appointment
10 that Office what he had done as Com
missioner. what he had done IN the interim
when he was out OF the public service. and
The Interior At the hour Of adjournment.
Each OF the Claws charges was taken up
snd answered. Mr.. Baninger was cool and
seiiberate, and his frank and exhaustive
replies. given without a moments hesita-
Ton. made a marked impression on the
somrlittee. He took the stand without a
tign OF nervousness. nor did he lose his
polse or dignity at any time. although on
several occasions Il was apparent that he
was deeply moved in replying 20 charges
made by CLAWS involving his official in
tegrity.
AT one time Il looked as ~ he might
break down. This was when Judge Yer
trees asked him 20 read a letter which he
hao written 10 Secretary Garfield a few
aays after he reached Seattle, following his
retirement as commissioner of the Gen
tral Land ONCE In the first sentence Of
this letter Mr. Bsllinger spoke OF finding
MS aged mother well His father had died
Surfing his service as commissioner. HIS
eyes filed with tears at the mention Of his
mothers name and Il was impossible for
kim 10 proceed. Judge Nertrees read the
letter. BY the time he had concluded Nj
Bsllineer. responding to p smile from Mrs.
Bsiinger, who occupied a seat close by,
nsd controlled his emotion and was ready
10 proceed with the examination.
Three or four times in the course Of his
examination Mr.. Ballinger told the com
nittee that at no time did he have. nor has
ne now. any interest. direct or indirec1.
even in the remotest degree. in any coal
lands or in any other LANDS OF property Of
any kind in Alaska. He made ii clear that
n lao entered the public service against
bis own bet er judgment and rot until TIC
Prvsiden- Of the United States hac told
tim that i: was his patriotic duty 10 come
&c Washington. He referred 10 THE as
siiuous attempts % certain malicious and
Malignant persons to circulate throughout
ne country reports that he had carried
away from he General Land Office nfor-
nation watch. could he used 10 the dct;i-
ment Of the Tinted States. s. sang these re-
ports had rot the slightest foundation IN
Tact.