Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-01
CLAWS HAD NO IDEA OF
ATTACK ON PRES.TAFT.
Continued From Page One.)
self. We made an affidavit to that eff

feet.
why did you make an affidavit?"
Il thought it would be worth remem-
bering in the further investigator or
these cases if we had to call McKen-
Zie as a witness
when did YOU make that afhdavit?"
IN September, 1909"
after you had seen President
Taft"
Yes. sir
Have you copy of it?'
mo. There may be copy in the
forestry service. l left one also In the
office at Seattle"
did you send any other papers to
the forestry?" asked Nelson.
Eyes, sir. I sent them copies of pa
pers and aftidavits."
Don't yon know those papers are
CONFIDENTIAL"
Il sent them for the official use of
the forestry service in their investiga-
ton
But you took them as an official of the
land service?"
Yes, SIR
CLAWS added that it had always been
the practice to furnish copies of papers
to the forestry in all cases where that de-
partment was cooperating.
Now, again, why was it you made that
affidavit?" inquired Root.
81 thought it might be of interest to
President Taft if I had another oppor-
tunity to see him.
Did you intend to send it to President
Taft?"
Il had that in mind
did you send it?"
mo. I thought l would show it to him
when he came to Seattle
"And you did send it there?'
ITO the forestry service"
CLAWS added that he thought the aft
davit would also be Of interest to Mr..
Garfield.
You did not do it with the idea of at
lacking President Taft?' asked Senator
Root.
No
you swear you did not"
II swear"
did you think it would aid the Presi-
dent?"
Il didn't know. 1 didn't think it would
injure him.
'Who is this man MCKENZIE" asked
Rep. Madison.
HE is interested in the Dalton Group
of claims in Alaska and he is known
among the agents as a lobbyist here in
Washington"
Where does he live?'
I'm the summer he lives in Alaska,
where he has a town site at Nelson
This answer brought out a laugh at the
expense of Chairman Nelson.
who are the principal owners of Mel
SOM" was asked.
mckenzie and Ex-Governor McGraw."
CLAWS was questioned closely as to why
the statement as to Mr.. Garfield made
such an impression upon him.
Because I thought it was true" he
replied
did you regard Mckenzie as a man of
prominence enough to speak knowingly
of such matters?" asked Root.
Il knew he had been mighty successful
in getting things through Congress-"
WAS Mckenzie a friend of President
Taft?" mo, sir
Rep DENLY questioned CLAWS further
about making an affidavit of a statement
which he said reflected upon President
Taft
CLAWS said the impression Mckenzie
left was that influential people opposed to
Secretary Garfield had urged the Presi-
dent not to retain Mr. Garfield for various
reasons. He did not say the President
had not retained Garfield because of his
opposition to the coal claimants.
You thought it was a boast by Nc
Kenzie,' suggested Madison.
II remarked to Jones that if he had
strength enough to get rid of Garfield. he
could also get rid of us. too
CLAWS said he did not think McKenzie's
statement was intended in any way as a
reflection upon President Taft.
On motion of Senator Root the forestry
service was requested to produce the affi-
davit which caused such furry in the
committee.
Fletcher asked the witness if he had
charge of the Alaska cases for upward
of two years and "habitually procrasti-
nated,' as charged by Attorney General
Wickersham. He replied that he was put
in charge of the work in December, 1907.
and was out of the service before two
years were up. He pursued the work dill
igently. he said
CLAWS admitted that the work to which
he was assigned by the department in
the summer of 1908. when he was Temporal
riy taken off the Alaskan cases, was
more urgent but not more important"
than the Alaska cases. He added, how
ever. that he could have carried on both
matters if he had been given sufficient
help.
Didn't Secretary Garfield write you
that the appropriation had about given
out?" asked Nelson.
''Yes, sir"