The Washington herald., 1910-03-13
FORESTRY INQUIRY
PRODUCES CLASH

L NODUCEO (LAOf1
Continued from Page One.
started the row was not intended as a
reflection on counsel. but was made in
an effort to hasten proceedings.
few moments later the committee ad-
journed and Mr.. Pepper FASTENED from
the COMMITTEES room. but Louis Brsndeis.
counsel for CLAWS, remained behind long
enough 10 tell several OF the committee
members very pointedly that he per-
sonally resented what he declared 10 be
the hostile attitude Of Chairman Nelson.
Chief Engineer Davis was the only wit
ness before the committee yesterday. and
instead OF shaking his testimony on cross
examination, Mr.. Vertrees brought out
facts which were not helpful 10 his cause
Threats TO Resign.
The most startling testimony OF the
day vas contained in the statement Of
Davis that the engineers in the Reelama-
ton Service some time ago seriously con-
sidered resigning in a body as a public
protest against the attitude OF Secretary
Ballinger on reclamation work Davis
said he advised against the plan, but
added that IL is still under consideration
Davis told of a reprimsnd given Di-
rector Newell. OF the Reclamation Service,
by Secretary Bsllinger because Newell
had intimated TO T. T. Perkins. pur-
chasing agent at Chicago, that his resig-
nation would be welcome. NewelFs let
ter was prompted by a complaint from
IL W. HILL president OF the Great North
ern Railroad. that Perkins in his pub
licity campaign with stereopticon views
was eXtolling in the territory covered by
the Hi lines the advantages to be found
on reclamation projects in the territory
served by the Hartman lines Investi-
cation by Newell. Davis said. showed
that Perkins was being paid $500 month
by the Hartman lines.
Secretary Ballinger was Informed Of
this fact, he said, bat insisted on keep
ing Perkins in the. service, although ad-
hitting that his Chicago office was so
badly mismanaged that it needed re-
organization
4 Word Of Praise.
After having spent all OF Friday and
part OF yesterday contradicting various
statements by Secretary Ballinger, Davis
volunteered the information during the
afternoon that he did not want to con-
Ney the impression that Secretary Bal
linger had Intentionally or consciously
has. added Davis
Mr.. Vertrees pounced upon this adSmis-
sion as soon as he took up his cross
examination, but Davis refused 10
amplify it.
Mr.. Pepper also took It up on the re-
direct examination and succeeded In hav-
ing the witness qualify the statement and
withdraw his statement that he did not
believe Secretary Ballinger had done a
wrong act.
II do not believe" said the witness,
that Secretary Ballinger had appre-
ciated the full bearing of many OF his
acts or OF the effects OF some OF his
public statements.
Davis said that Secretary Ballingers
criticism OF reclamation projects was
unfair and not founded on facts He
also said that the Secretarys public
statements were inconsistent with his
private utterances
Mr.. vertrees picked up a bundle of pa
pers. containing complaints from others
in Support of the Ballinger criticisms.
do YOU know H. D. Page" asked Mr..
vertrees.
Il do. replied Davis. He is a de-
faulting engineer, and has a grievance
against me as chief engineer.
The Page complaint was TO the effect
that the original estimates Of engineers
for the various reclamation projects were
much less than the actual cost to the set
tiers Davis insisted that this was due
TO increased cost of labor and materials,
and was not peculiar to government work.
A letter from Secretary Ballinger to
President Taft. dealing with reclamation
work. critlcising II severely. and sug-
costing the need of a bond issue. was
read. This letter was shown TO Davis by
Ballinger. but he made no comment on
the criticism of the service, for the rea-
son. he said. that ne did not feel that he
was called upon to do so.
In reply to the Balinger letter. Presi-
dent Taft said he was not entirely IA
miliar with the reclamation projects, but
expressed the opinion that the enthusiasm
with which the work Of the Reclamation
Service was entered upon was almost
certain TO lead 10 enterprises the benefits
of which might not be realized for many
years. The. President suggested that Sec
rotary Ballinger put the brakes down"