Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-02-13
In The Halls of Congress
BY TAV.
Special Washington Correspondence.

And that $ all of my connection officially with these cases"
 When Louis R. Glavis thus closed his three days testimony and stepped from the witness chair new light had been thrown upon the famous ''Ballinger-P Pinchot controversy, " which has not only reflected discredit upon the Taft but has raised a discussion m all parts of the country that for over two months has been raging like blizzard of words.
 Glavis' testimony and conduct before the Nel- son Investigating committee awakened the fight ing blood and patriotism of every person within the hearing of his voice. with the possible eXcep- ton of those having designs upon government timber and coal lands. Glavis' gentlemanly bearing at all times while a witness, even when attempts were made to place false light upon his testimony, must have explained to every student of human nature why the entire country was backing up the position of this young man in preference to that of his powerful enemies.
 After Glavis had completed his straightfor- ward and simple story, it was plain why Clifford Pinchot millionaire several times over, had supported with characteristic enthusiasm the cause of Glavis though it antagonized the secre- tary of the interior and even the president of the United States. After the three-day story of the special agent of the land office had been heard, 1t was no longer strange why Chief For ester Pinchot had sacrificed his position in or der that he might in measure pay tribute to Glavis and the single handed and secret fight that the latter had carried on against land thieves and public grafters.
 Every word of Glavis' story was supported and doubly strengthened by official records There was not single expression in all of Glavis testimony which carried the remotest suggestion of self-praise or self-importance The witness had no compliments for himself, and his perfect candor at times seemed to arouse the enmity of Chairman Nelson, who appeared bent upon breaking down Glavis' testimony that the general land office interfered in behalf of the coal land thieves.
 So far the investigation has made it plain thai the man behind the Ballnger- Pinchot contro versy IS Glavis, who is but twenty years old It appears evident that the dismissal of Pincho and others grew out of Glavis' clash with the general land office while he was working to pre- | vent land frauds in Washington, Oregon anc Alaska. Glavis is a tall, agreeable-looking man | frank in speech but not inclined to be over-talk ative. He impressesl one of his sincerity ever i in short conversation.
 Stripped of technicalities, the pertinent facts 
 concerning Glavis and his dismissal are as fol flows:
 | l. He entered the government land office il September, 1902, and in April, 1904, was made chief special agent.
 ? While in the government employ he saved to the country some thirty three coal claims il Alaska which by survey contain approximatel, 63,OOO,OO0 long tons of coal. He successfully prosecuted many land fraud cases, for which h, received praise from his superior officers. 8 He early discovered that R. A. Bainger now secretary of the interior, was advising il the capacity of attorney, some of the claimants how to secure patents
 f. Glavis next found that members of con gEess were among those endeavoring to get pos session of valuable government lands. 1 D.. When in the midst of investigation O Alaska coal cases, Glavis received instruction t, abandon investigation.
 G. Glavis appealed to the department of jus tice.
 7 He was arbitrarily, summarily and with out hearing dismissed from the service