Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-30

those same claims today with the same
record before me- / would say they were
entitled to be clear-listed.'
He was emphatic on this point and reit-
Grated 1t several times
Did you represent any OF the Cunn.ng-
ham claimants2" asked Mr. Ncrtrees
Il never had any professional or legal
business with the men listed as Cunning
ham entrymon." responded Mr.. Ballinger
The secretary then gave CLAWS state
ment that he Informed him (BslnEcD
that the Love report on which the cum
ninEham "clear-lsting" was based was
unreliable because It was likely to have
been influenced by Loves candidacy for
United states marshal in Alaska. Mr.
Baulnger said those claims had been un-
der investigation under CLAWS UP to tho
time Of his dismissal last summer
CLAWS Never Hnmpcred.
did you ever interfere with CLAWS in
vestigatlon into those clalms?" asked Mr
! Vertrees.
] Not in tn slightest degree, at any time,
! replied Mr. Balllnger. "Glavis was never
hampered. but was pampered all the way
! through"
Mr.. Ballinger was questioned as to his
differences with Secretary Garfield In 1907
about coal lands The witness explained
that he had favored the sale system as op-
posed to a leasing system.
He said Mr. Garfield disapproved OF his
report, but subsequently President Roose-
welt called him to the White House and
asked him TO explain what his differences
with Garfield we're. As a result Of that in
! terview he had written letter to the pres
ident embodying his views. When he saw
the president subsequently the latter said
to him:
Il have embodied your recommendation
in my annual message but l guess when
| Garfield and Plnchot see 1t they win go
through the roof. But guess the roof is
strong enough to hold EN-"
More Charges Denied.
The assduous attempts OF certain ma
| licious people to circulate throughout the
| country that 1 carried away from the
land office information which I could use
to the detriment OF the United states gov
ernment has not the slightest founda-
tion," said Mr. Ballingsr.
"All information could have been used
in perfect fairness in any way I desired
to use it without the possibility Of preju-
dice to any interests Of the United States.
The information was such as anybody
might have had.
There was nothing pending at the time
left the land office against any Of these
| interests or record in contravention Of
| rights OF the people to have their patents
further than the unique protest OF this
man CLAWS, which had come in through
his letter OF January a. II stated no facts
that could have warranted a public office
to hold UP claims except the suspicion
| that there might have been something
which might be investigated"
did you retire voluntarily from the Of
flee of commissioner Of the land Officer"
asked Mr.. Vertrees
Most delightfully."- Voluntarily" replied
Mr.. BallinEer then reading a letter from
President Roosevelt, in which the presi-
dent spoke OF his Admirable work" and
Of his altogether too short service" and
his patriotism" in making personal sacri-
fices in order to accept the commissioner
ship
1T was a frequent thing for Mr. Roose-
welt to say to his friends regarding me, I
have secured 200 man for 5000 /
was glad to go back and earn some of
that S25,0OO."
Friendly with Garfield.
In reply to an inquiry from his lawyer
as to whether he and Garfield had parted
friends Mr.. Ballinser said:
Yes" and started to read letter he
had written to Garfield after he had re-
turned to Seattle
my Dear Jim:-' he began. Then his
voice broke and he stopped.
Mr.. vertrees took the letter from him
and read while Mr. BallinEer recovered
himself There was a reference in the
first line to Mr.. Ballingsr's mother who
ls still living, but very feeble, and this
reference caused Mr.. Ballinger to betray
emotion. The letter was such as one friend
might write to another. He spoke Of the
political situation in the northwest and
said that Hughes seemed to be very
strong, but that he. himself, was going to
work for Taft