The Washington times., 1910-03-10
GARF FIELD DENIES
CONFERENCE ABOUT
CLAWS TELEGRAM
Insists He Did Not Direct
Clear Listing of
Claims.
ISSUE OF BONDS
HELD UNNECESSARY
Vfckersham's Ruling Said to Be
Based on Unfounded
Assumption.

The Ballinger-Pinchot investigation
GhifJed back today 20 the alleged ac-
tivities OF Secretary Ballinger in behalf
Of the Alaska coal claimants. Former
Secretary Garfield was again on the
witness stand. His examination BY Mr..
Pepper. counsel for Clifford Pinchot,
was concluded shortly after noon and
Louis R. Brandeis, counsel for CLAWS.
Immediately began the examination OF
the witness with respect to the Alaska
coal cases.
The letter of Ballinger TO President
Taft defending his position asserted that
he conferred with Secretary Garfield
about the Cunningham cases imme-
diately upon receipt Of a telegram from
Claws protesting against the clear-list-
Ing Of the Cunningham claims.
Mr.. Garfield asserted that he did not
recall such a conference and that his
first distinct recollection Of having his
attention called to the Cunningham
claims was shortly after March 8. when
either bennett or Schwartz informed
him that CLAWS had discovered the Cum
ninSham journal, showing expenditures
made In connection with the claims IN
what was known as the Cunningham
group. This was several days after Bal
linEer had retired as Commissioner OF
the General Land Office.
No Cause For Consultation.
TIE witness declared there was no
reason why Ballinger should consult
him about the CLAWS telegram. assert
Ing that the clear-listing of the Cunning
ham claims. or the suspension Of the
patents, were matters which IN the
would not be called to his attention.
Had he known OF the facts in the case,
he Said, be would not have authorized
the clear-iistinE. and he certainly would
have ordered the suspension Of patents
That Secretary Garfield and BaHinger
were on friendly terms at the time Bal
inger retired as Commissioners or the
General Land Office and for time there
after was indicated today by the pres
entatlon OF correspondence between the
two Ballinger addressed his former
chief as MY dear jim" and Garheldrs s
Salutation TO Ballinger was My dear
Dick
In q letter TO Mr.. BaIIinger after the
latter had returned 10 Seattle TO take
up the practice Of law Mr. Garfield as
why he should be disturbed Owe re-
ports that they differed widely as to
Alaska coal land laws.
Had Not Read Testimony.
Subsequently, Mr.. Garfield testified
that at the time he wrote the letter
he had not read the Balinger testimony
before the House Commute on Public
Lands. and he was not aware Of the
fact that the Gale bill which Ballinger
advocated before the House commit
tee, had been drafted by BaIIinger. He
declared that the Cunningham claims
would have come within the purview of
the Gale bill had il become a law.
Mr.. Garfield took occasion TODAY 10
condemn as unnecessary the "copos al
20 issue bonds 10 the amount of S30.-
$4,000 TO carry on to completion irriga-
ton projects already under way in the
arid sections of the country He ad-
rnitted that many Of The settlers have
suffered severely because the projects
have not been completed. but said the
entryrnan went on the lands in the
face Of warnings that water could not
- delivered for irrigation purposes for
e8Tne time
Referring to the decision OF Attorney
General Wickersham ruling against the
issuance OF reclamation certificates to
carry on the work of the reclamation
service, Mr.. Garfield said the decision
evidently has ben based on a theory
that there wRs no money available in
the Interior Department for this work,
which theory he asserted TO be IN
founded in fact.