The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-01-20
ACCUSED Of FRAUD
More Charges Against Sec
Rotary Ballinger.
SAID TO HAVE MISUStD FUNDS
Nebraska Congressman Declares the
Secretary Of the Interior Wrong
fully Paid Nephew's Trav-
cling Expenses.
SAID TO HAVE MISUStD FUNDS

Washington, Jan. IS. - Somewhat
waning interest in the investigation
of the so-calIed Balinger-Pinohot con-
troversy was quickly revived in con-
gress by sensational charges against
Secretary Ballinger. hled by Repre-
sentative Hitchcock. Of Nebraska.
The most important allegation Of
Mr.. Hitchcock is that funds OF the in
terror department were improperly
used in paying private travelling cx-
penses OF Secretary Ballirger's neph
ew. The secretary and ether officials
of the interior department will he sub
poenaed before the house committee
on expenditures. TO which Mr. Hitch
cocks charges were addressed.
The affidavit was presented by Mr..
Hitchcock at n meeting OF the commit
tee called TO permit him to substan-
tate his charges Of extravaganza in
the interior department The commit
tee decided 20 issue subpOenaes on
Secretary Ballinger Commissioner
bennett Of the general land Office. and
others interested in the ct argos to ap-
pear as Witnesses before the commit
tee.
The affidavit alleges Improper use
Of the million dollar appropriation FOR
the protection OF the public domain
against frauds" by the purchase of ex-
pensive furniture. mount ng into the
tens of thousands Of dollars the
erection Of "a certain large brick
chimney for a land Office at consider
able expense" the emi lovment OF
some eighty additional Clerks. "salar-
les increased and in one case at least
doubled" out of this II llion dollar
fund Getting the case OF Chief of the
Field Service Schwartz as this In
stance). long telegraph hills. which
cover long extracts from ihe newspa-
pers sent in by travelling representa-
tives OF the general land Office selec-
ton Of special agents not at all quail
fed" etc
The affidavit asserts that when Mr..
Ballinger became commits .oner OF the
general land office. the position he held
before entering the cabinet he reduced
the salary Of a law clerk Wright. 50
that Judge Wright's $1,000 salary
could be given TO Jack Eallingcr. his
nephew. not under the lille Of law
clerk but under the title created by
Mr.. Balilnger's order. OF confidential
clerk have been told Wright died
Of disappointment and humiliation
soon thereafter
Jack Ballinser remained year IN
the service. the affidavit s-ys. his man
ner Of living about ;he time his uncle
resigned. in March. 1908. being alleged
to illustrate "the reckless expenditures
Of the land office
at was announced. The affidavit
goes on TO say. that yong Jack Bal
linger was leaving the nd Office tC
resume law practice in S atile In or
der that he might receive Z final rake
off he was designated a. special ten
porary Inspector OF Offices an evident
| outrage on the treasury"
This enabled him to On " travelling
expenses from Washingtcn to Seattle
| and a per diem rate also Within two
weeks after he reached Seattle he re
signed. as understood in ADVANCE an'
resumed law practice. Including. o
| course. practice before H. land Office
| out there and also in Wa 'hing'on.'
Mr.. Hitchcock declare this to bt
only one of many Outr- rs on th'
treasury which can be fou a.