New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-09
TWO DEFEND BALuINGER
Christensen Found Missing Let
tiers in GlaviS'S Box.
COMMITTEE WANTS PAPERS
Clashes Between Witnesses and
Counsel Enliven Inquiry
Brandeis Admonished.
Iron The Tribune Bureau

Washington. April &-TwO witnesses ties
tilted before the Ballinger-P inchot commit
tee to-day. the examination Of neither be
ing finished. Most Of the day was devoted
& the direct examination Of Andrew
Christensen. the chief Of the field division
OF the Land Ofice. who succeeded Louis
X. Claws at Seattle when the latter was
dismissed from the service. Louis l..
Brandeis. attorney for Claws. desired fun
Their time 70 look over certain papers iden-
tiled by Christensen and the witness was
excused with the understanding that he
would be on hand for cross-examination
tomorrow Judge Tertrees. counsel for
Secretary Bauinger. then called TO the
stand Or. Alfred II Brooks. in charge OF
the division of Alaskan mineral resources
FOR the Geological Survey. Nr. Brooks
testified regarding the extent and value OF
the coal deposits IN Alaska lie had not
finished hls direct testimony when adjourn
meut was taken.
As soon as the committee met there was
q clash between the opposing counsel over
the question Of requiring the Interior De
partmert 10 furnish the numerous papers
called Tor by Nr Brandeis. Al the last
meeting a letter from Secretary Ballinger
was pat into the record protesting against
the wholesale calls on his department Iy
the ee-caIled prosecution The Secre-
tar. said Mr. Brandeis was engaged IN "a
mere fishing expedition" and was seeking
20 control the manner IN which the eyt-
6er-e was 20 be offered hy The defence.
Mr. Brsudeis resented the statements con
taine6 IN Secretary Baliuger's letter ana
complained q the delay q The department
IN producing papers requested. Judge Yer
trees replied TINT as the main case against
Mr. Ballnger had failed in al its parts
rhe critics q the Interior Department were
now seeking 10 bolster up their case by
making eNtravagaut demands for all sorts
Of papers. IN tie hope that some Of them
would reveal something thar could he made
the basis OF new attacks. The tilt between
the attorneys finally ended when the com
rn.ttee unanimously adopted Representa-
tive Derbv's motion asking the Depart
r,e7t OF th, Interior 10 produce with an
due speed" all papers called FOR by the
committee.
Mr.. Christensen's Testimony.
NJ christeaser's direc, examination con-
surned the greater part OF the days session.
A modest and unassuming young man.
Christensen made a favorable impression on
the committee he explained how he had
succeeded CLAWS and how certain papers
were missing from ne olllNldl lt-cS 't t4-'
oeFce. He vert tuto considerable detail in
relating his conversations and reading his
correspondence with CLAWS and the officials
% the Land Office in hts effort 70 md the
missing papers Finally he became con-
WINGED that Claws was pIrposely holding
out some OF The Official documents. and he
laid the matter before the United states
ATTORNEY al Washington with a view 20
having CLAWS indicted for wrongful alb
straction Of the records and other property
u the government. In December, about
three months after the dismissal Of CLAWS,
extracts from certain Of the missing letters
were printed in Golfers" Mr.. Christen-
ser said DE advised an inquiry, with a view
70 prosecuting representatives Of col
Here for receiving this property The
United States Attorney did not think there
was sufficient evidence 10 warrant prose
curion. At this time the law officers Of TIE
government were II the opinion -lat the
missing papers were In the possession q
the Forest Service. and that iussmuch as
thev were still in the HANDS q government
officers no prosecution would be successful
Nr. Christensen described AZ length the
efforts made 20 find the papers, and OK
planned how. IN response q q ~aN from
the committee for certain documents. he
had gone 20 p room IN the Federal Ruilding
- Seattle. where certain personal effects Of