The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-04-02
Chairman Nelson Won't Take
Back Charge
AGAINST CLAWS LAWYER
A Partisan Division randeis, Accused
Of Deceivng the Commit
tee, Is Wrath

Pinchot hearing went on yesterday with
Secretary Balliager's counsel in charge
Of the presentation Of evidence. The
taking Of testimony in behalf Of the
cabinet officer began last Saturday after
noon, after Attorney Nertrees had made
his opening statement, in which be de-
clared that much OF the testimony
against Mr. Ballinger would be shown
TO be false, and sharply criticised James
r. Garfield and Clifford Pinchot for their
share in the attack upon the secretary
OF the interior.
AS the hearing progresses, Indications
multiply that the congressional commit
tee Is 20 seriously split along party lines
that unanimous report is beyond poA-
sibility
The Democratic members have gone 30
far as to notify their Republican col-
leagues that they will participate in the
executive sessions Of the committee only
upon the understanding that they shall
be free to announce their votes and their
contentious during the public sitttings.
The executive sessions have not been
very harmonious. especially the one o.
Saturday last, when the question OF com.
polling Secretary Ballinger to testify as
the FIRST witness for the defense" was
under consideration. Following this sos
sion, tile Democrats announced that with
the exception 81 Senator Purcell 81 South
Dakota they had voted in favor Of com
polling the secretary Of the interior TO
appear at once Representative Madison
Of aKnsas, iusurgent voted with the
| Democrats.
Elmer f. Todd, United States district
attorney at Seattle, Wash, was the first
witness called yesterday. Mr. Todd con.
tradieted certain statements made by
Special Agent H + Jones, when he was
testifyinn for Louis r. CLAWS The wit.
ness declared that witness Jones state
meHt that he had investigated the Alaska
cases because Judge Sanford was con.
stitutionally opposed to land fraud trials
generally" was absolutely false
Mr.. Vertraes asked Mr. Todd II he had
been consulted some time ago regarding
possible prosecution OF CLAWS for let.
ters missing from bis Office when he
turned II over 70 his successor, Christen-
sen. It is claimed these letters after
ward we're found in box belonging to
CLAWS,
Mr.. Todd said Mr.. Christensen came
into his office and complained that the
I letters were missing
About this same time copies Of These
4 missing letters began 70 appear In a
weekly paper. During biz cross.ewaniua.
ton Of the witness. Attorney Brandeis
showed him some of Jones daily reports.
one af which said liz had had 3 confer
ence with District Attorney Todd in re-
gard 10 criminal prosecution il the Chris.
t0pher group.
Didn't Jones have conference with
Won at the time 2"
No; he may have dropped into the
Office TO leave letter. / said l had 70
look over the papers before giving an
opinion
Mr.. Todd insisted that he had never
had conference with either Claws *
Jones when he heard that CLAWS was
ordered By the land Office 70 let 40 ~
/ the Alaska matter on May 2, 1908, and
10 devots himsalf To the Oregon Land
easss.
Mr. Todd answered questions bluBtlY
and ii a manner which seemed 20 irri
tate the attorney Nr Todd testified a.
70 the Wilson coal eases, ia which lie
appeared as prosecutor, that there never
was an escrow agreement drawn mp ID
/ this case. 50 far a. the record showed.
! Mr.. Todd said the escrow agreement
in the Wilson case was verbal one. Mr..
Baliinger did draw up deeds for two
Of the claimants So far Nc he knew,
/ that was his only connection with the
ease Mr.. Brandeis brought The two
deeds ID evidence. They bore date Of
August. 1909
Remarks made BY the chairman 81 the
investigating committee, Senator Nelson,
were objected to BY members Of the cora
mittee and quarrel ensued, lasting
about an hour Motions were made to
have the chairman withdraw his remarks
which Senator Nelson refused to do. and
/ finally a motion was adopted, laying the
matter on the table
Democratic members Of the House
lands committee attacked the so.called
administration conservation bills relat-
/ ing to withdrawals at hearing yester
day. charging THAT they wera merely to
validate existing Withdrawals and de-
signed to give the administration Of
1 tile interior department a clean bin Of
health