The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-29

Members of the BaIinger- Pinchot in
vestigating committee yawned in their
seats during most of the morning hear
ing while Louis r. CLAWS was testifying
yesterday.
The recital of the witness was for the
most part "a dreary repetition of the
story that has already been printed, in
terpersed with select readings by his at
torney. Louis D. Brandies. of Boston,
from the printed testimony sent to Con-
greas by the President.
Repeated protests from members Of the
committee because of the slow progress
of the case had little or no effect.
BaTinger Acted Hastily.
The entire morning session was de-
voted to establishing the fact that Secre-
tary BaIinger tried to unduly hasten
the patenting of the Cunningham claims.
CLAWS admitted. when questioned that
tie Secretary granted every request he
ever made, and told him to make full
investigation.
The hearing was resumed at 10 o'clock
in the morning with Louis R. CLAWS as
the principal witness. The same large
crowds were present as on Wednesday
CLAWS began his testimony by refer
ence 10 events in the summer Of 1907. He
talked with United States Attorney HOyt
about the suspicious character of the
Alaska coal claims. Mr.. Hoyt advised
him to go to Secretary Garfield direct.
The members of the committee smiled
when CLAWS said that he did not desire
TO so over the head of his superior. Com
missioner Ballinger. He wrote &c
Schwartz, chief of field agents in the
Land Office. asking permission to come
to Washington and confer with him abou
the Alaska cases.
In a letter CLAWS had expressed con
Germ over the status Of the Alaska cases
Attorney Brandies pointed out that thi:
letter of CLAWS had been omitted from
the published correspondence sent t.
Congress. He asked the committee Il
call for it. At the same time he Offered
as evidence a draft of the letter written
on moving train,
Question over Draft.
A question arose over the admission OF
this draft of the letter, Chairman Nelson
holding that so long as the original was
TO be called for, the draft should not be
admitted.
Representative Madison. Republican
and Representative James. Democrat. de-
manded that the letter be admitted. They
contended that it gave the substance OF
the letter to Schwartz. and was neces-
sary to an understanding Of the testi-
mony TO follow. Finally this draft was
read
Several instances were cited by At
torney Brandies Of omissions from the
published correspondence Of letters bear
ing upon the case. and these were called
for.
Matters moved briskly after the joint
committee resumed its session in the
afternoon. CLAWS narrated the investi-
cation he pursued in January. February
and March. 1908 He took dispositions al
Wallace, Idaho. and took affidavits OF
Clarence Cunningham, and at that Tins
obtained a copy Of Cunningham's jour.
nal. This showed a written agreement
lad been entered into as far back as
1903 between the entrymen for a pooling
of their interests after patent
As his Investigations continued, CLAWS
found it necessary. he said, to protest tC
Washington by wire on March 80 against
giving out the reports of the special
agents on the claims.
Letter Is Introduced.
At that point letter was introduced
written nv Clarence CyInninohau, 70 III.