Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-02
WILSON IMPATIENT
UNDER CROSS.f|R[
DRAMATIC SCENE IN BALLlNGER
HEARING WHEN FORMER
FRIENDS CLASH.
DENIES sANcrIoNlNa
PlNcHoT LETTER TO poLLIvER
Secretary of Agriculture FIatly Denies
Some Of the Assertions Of Former
Forester-Question Of veracity Be-
tweon Two Trusted Men-WiIson Be-
comes Somewhat Confused.

NaShiiiS VII, haAtAi GIG was q
somewhat dramatic scene In the Bal
llnger- Pinchot hearing late yesterday.
when Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
made emphatic denial to some of the
assertions OF Pinchot regarding the let
ter Pinchot wrote to Senator Doliver
and which resulted in the summary
dismissal of the forester by President
Taft The former forester had pro-
gressed in his testimony to the point
where the letter of dismissal was in
troduced.
What have you to say to the charge
that you We're disrespectful to the
president?" asked MIR. Pepper
Il contend that the expression of an
honest belief that the president had
acted under Misrepresentation is not
disrespectful."
What now as to showing lack
of care in the purpose OF the president
TO take defense OF the peoples rights in
his own hands?"
III the president had signiiied his
purpose to take matters In his cvn
hands would have been happy to
leave 1t there"
Il was not. but do not desire to lay
stress upon that point for | should have
been insubordlnate without Il second
thought, If I had considered 1t peces-
sary to bring the facts before the pub
lic"
Were you In fact insubordinate?"
"As matter of fact was not But
I have no desire for a personal vindica-
ton and would rather not go into that
question:
"Why not?" asked the witness attor-
ney.
Because 1t Is not important and
would regret the necessity of bringing
out difference OF opinion between
Secretary Wilson and myself. 1t would
be u painful thing to get into a contro-
versr with him. and for that T have
kept still."
Senator Nelson pressed his qeustion
as to whether or not Mr.. Pnchot had
consulted the secretary before sending
the letter
Mr. Pinchot said lie would decline to
answer the question unless 1t was put
by the whole committee. A motion to
press the question was put and unani-
mously carried
Says kie Consulted Secretary.
Did you consult with the secretary
before sending that letter." repeated
Chairman Nelson
'I did
The witness proceeded to explain his
answer by saying he went to the sec
retary on Jan. 3 and told him Senator
Dolliver had requested information
from the forest service and that the
secretary made no objection.
1--WE discussed at some length the
right of Senator Dollivcr to get the in
formation from me. AS to the presi-
dents order forhidding subordinates to
give information. Secretary Wilson
said: You and I will have no trouble
about that order. or words to that eff
feet believed i had his consent
described the situation as to the con-
troversy told him of the intention
of our opponents to magnify what had
been done by Messrs. Price and Shaw
and that I thought the only wise thing
for us to do was to lay our hand down
on the table, admit what he had done
and force the congressional inquiry to
the point.
IT was convinced that Secretary Will
son favored my effect to defend Price
and Shaw, altho he did not favor my
plan Of getting publicity at the same
time the other side did / felt | had,
however secured his permission to
write to Senator Doliver"
Mr. Pinchot said he had endeavored
to see Secretary Wilson the morning
that his letter to Senator Dolliver was
read in the senate. to submit to him his
letter Transmitting 10 the secretary the
reports by Price and Shaw telling OF
their transactions with CLAWS, He did
not find the secretary until the after
noon however. In this letter Mr.. Pin
shot said he had included clause re-
ferring to the transmittal of n copy of
his own letter to Senator Dolliver. Sec
rotary wilson asked him wfIut the
clause meant. Mr.. Pinchot said and he
told him that 1t referred to the letter
they had previously discussed. The
secretary told him to strike out all ref
crence to the Doiliver letter and re-
write the letter OF transmittal. This he
did, Mr. Pinchot said. In the secretary's
office.
The former forester ended his direct
testimony by saying: "If had had ten
minutes conversation with President
Taft II would have been easier for me
to convince him of my arguments.
The cross examination OF Pinchot
was delayed until Secretary Wilson,
who desired to take the stand at once,
,could be heard. The grizzled old Of
fetal who holds the record for cabi-
net service, was plainly agitated when
he took the oath as witness and
when he began to testify his voice was
high pitched and strained.
Wilson Impatient at Questioning.
The secretary proved impatient a.
some OF the questions putt to him on
cross examination and became some
what mixed as to just what letters
were being referred to by shis ques-
TONERS, and resentful OF any interfer-
enne .other than his own that thew
wished to draw from his testimony.
Mr.. Vertress, counsel for Secretary