The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-02-26
Startling Testimony on Alaska
investigations
Shown to Be Tncompetent--Gaye the De
PENDANTS All Of His Evidence--Jones
TelIs How Interests Compelled
Removal Of Garfield.

Washington, Feb. 26.-Tcstimony Civ
en- yesterday before the Ballinger Pinchot
congressional committee Of investigation
81 Horace r. Jones, special agent Of The
land office, was such as to give great
encouragement to the Pinehot supporters.
Jones backed up the testimony already
given by Claws Among other things,
hs asserted that james 7. sheridan, the
special agent Of the land Office, who sue.
seeded Claws in the investigation into
Alaska coal land matters, was incompe
tent to conduct the hearings before the
special commissioner, and he thought the
governments cause bad suffered in con-
sequence. Re told Of sheridan's methods
Of conducting case, and thought many
opportunities had been lost to prove that
there was fraud in connection with the
Cunningham claim.
Much interest was aroused by the an
nouncement yesterday morning that Gift
ford Pinchot would Be called during the
day a. a witness for the prosecution"
When the committee met, Attorney
Brandeis, for the prosecution, requested
permission to introduce in evidence the
statements made recently before the Sen.
ate committee on territories by Stephen
Birch, managing director, and J. n.
Steele, attorney for the Morgan Guggen-
helm syndicate for the exploitation Of
Alaska.
Chairman Nelson said the statements
Of Mesns Birch and Steele had not been
made under oathi but the committee
agreed that the men should be summoned
az witnesses.
Jones was examined by Mr.. Brandeis
as to his work on the coal cases in the
summer Of 1907. The witness said be
never had seen the report made BY spe.
cial Agent Love on the Cunningham
cases dated Aug. 2, 1907, until December
Of that year. when Claws told him about
it. II is claimed that It was on this
report that Commissioner Balliuger IN
January, 1908, ordered the Cunningham
claims to be elearlisted for patent.
Jones ccEroborated the testimony By
Claws as to the latter's efforts to get
the Alaska eases taken Up By the grand
Jury At Ssattle. CLAWS vas criticized in
Attorney General wioEsrsham's report
to The president for not having done
anything toward criminal prosecution.
Jones corroborated CLAWS al to the
statement made BIZ Donald A. Mckenzie
that james Z. Garfield wasn't retained
in Mr.. Taft's cabinet because Of his hes
tility to the Alaskan coal claims. The
AFFIDAVIT made hy Jones end CLAWS as to
the conversation with Mckenzie de.
seribsd by clayis As 3 lobbyist-was in.
irtrodueed in evidence.
The witness sharply criticised the con
duct Of Special Agent James H Sheridan,
who vas sent BY the Lead ofase 70 sup
plant CLAWS, a. the man 10 conduct hear
ings en- the Alaska sssea before the
commissioner appointed to take testi.
moAy.
"shsridan's conduet," said he, was
sueh as to give the other side enc advan-
tage Of knowing in advance ali the evil |
denoe We bad"
sheridan, he added, was incompetent
70 handle such 5 big case. But be dis
avowed any charge Of corruption.
Jones said it would have been absurd
for claimant to say chat b had not
intended to oombine with Others, for It 1
would not have beeu possible for anyone
to work single claim Of 100 acres.
Representative DENLY aThen why
should anyone take up these claims il
they can't work themselves, and it is
unlawful To have IA intent to combine
with othersf'
That's what i've been trying TO find
est z replied tAe witness.
Attorney Brandsis said he bad received
from the forestry bureau copy Of the
record Of the Cunningham hearings, and
he desired TO introduced il in evidence To
sAow tho incompetenov Of Mr.. Sheridan
to conduct 90 important case" He
wanted 10 have printed only sertain 81
cerptsS but tha committee, on Senator