The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-30

Richard A. BaIinger. Secretary Of the
Interior. yesterday under oath, as wit
ness before the Congressional investigat-
inS committee. told the story Of his Off
cial career and gave his version OF the
controversy over Alaskan coal claims and
conservation policies.
He branded Louis r. CLAWS, principal
witness against him. as a deliberate and
unqualified liar; bellttled Horace 7. Jones.
another of the witnesses for the prosecu-
ton: raised an issue OF veracity between
former Secretary OF the Interior James
r. Garfield and himself. and took a fling
at former Forester clifford Pinchot as a
man with whom another could not differ
on a question OF policy without being
considered by him as criminal
Mr.. Ballinger was defiant and agrees
Asive.
y He showed the effect OF the severe
nervous and physical strain under which
he has been laboring for months but
at times he seemed buoyant. and there
was a distinct note of pride in his voice
as he told Of his achievements as a law
yer and as the reform" mayor Of Seat
tie. and OF the compliments that had
been paid him by former President Roose-
welt and others.
Enters Service CIcnn-hnnded
Mr.. Ballinger declared that he went into
the office OF Secretary Of the Interior on
March o. 1909 absolutely free and untram-
meled. and without an interest or connec-
ton 20 prejudice him IN any official action
he might be called upon to take
II burned all my bridges behind me-" he
said. Il dissolved my law firm. ended all
corporation connections. and did not rep
resent anybody interested in Alaskan coal
claims. did not have nor have ever
had, any interest. directly or indirectly. in
Alaska"
Mr.. Ballinger said his relations with Mr.
Garfield. whom he was succeeding. were
altogether friendly. and he knew OF no
rancor cherished by Mr.. Garfield because
he was not being retained In the Cabinet
by President Taft His relations with Mr.
Pinchot were equally friendly. so far rs
he knew at the time.
His Cunningham Connections.
Relative to his official connection witt
the Cunningham cases. i'm which he had
4 acted as counsel during the year interven-
inE between his retirement as Commits
sioner Of the General Land Office and his
becoming Secretary Of the Interior. Mr..
Balinger asserted vigorously that he had
had no connection with those cases that
disqualified him legally from passing upon
them as an official OF the government.
Legally. morally. and ethicallv I was
qualified to pass on the Cunningham
claims" he said, but I felt delicacv
about doing so. because OF the fact that
had an incidental relation with Gun
nigham as legal adviser.
Consequently I gave orders that moth
Ing pertaining 20 those cases should ever
BE- brought before me. They were turned
over TO Assistant Secretary Pierce. and
10 this day Mr.. Pierce has never made
report to me as to any action bearing on
the Cunningham claims"
Mr.. Ballinger had by no means COM
pletod his direct testimony when the hour
came for adjournment. He will continue
on the stand to-day and It is possible
that his decentralization by Attorneys
Brandeis and Pepper will not be begun
until next week
The announcement that the Secretary
would be under the inquisitorlal spotlight
brought out one Of the largest crowds
that has attended the hearings.
Wife Among Spectators.
Every available inch OF space in the
chamber was occupied and scores or
would-be spectators were turned away.
Women predominaLed in the crowd prom
inent among them being Mrs. Ballinger
who was accompanied by Mrs. Wicker
sham. the wife OF the Attorney General
Mrs. Pinchot mother Of former Forester
Clifford Pinchot, was also present
As related by him. Mr. Ballinger's
Initiation into the public service when he
came TO Washington I'm 1907 to become
Land Commissioner was a characteristic
welcome from former President Roose-
welt
Mr.. Roosevelt said to me. Glad you're
here Any man who can clean up Seattle
as you did can clean up the Land Of
nee. said Secretary BalIInger THAI
was my initiation"
Mr.. Ballinger told OF the reluctance
with which he had accepted the office Of
Commissioner Of the Land Office At
first he declined the offer but on recent
OF kilograms from President Roosevelt
and the then Secretary OF the Interior.
Mr.. Garfield. urging him 20 reconsider.
he finally did so. Mr.. Balllnger read
copies OF these kilograms, the one from
Mr. Roosevelt reading. in part:
1t is your duty to help me. You and
Garfield Will lift an immense burden from
my shoulders
Would Claim No Fees.
On assuming his position, Mr.. Bauin-
ger said, no arranged with his law part
ners that he would have no interest in