The Washington times., 1910-05-30
Much Speculation Over Dis
posal of the Cunning
ham Lands.
EVIDENCE SHOWS
SYNDICATE'S AIM
Friends of Secretary Believe Clear
Listing Would Strengthen
Cause.

That an early and important step
in connection with the Ballinger-Pin-
chot controversy viii be the patenting
OF the much discussed Cunningham
claims, is asserted on good authority.
No official announcement 10 this eff
feet has been made. but many of those
who have been following closely the
course of events in the BaIlinger-
PinChOt Investigation by the special
committee of Congress expect the
claims viii go 70 patent before much
more time elapses
1t is said the claims will be ordered
patented for the purpose. not only of
disposing of them, but of giving SUE
port 70 the Ballinger side Of the con-
troversy. In accordance with the
practice Of the Interior Department in
such matters, the evidence for and
against the patenting of the claims
has been heard before a special COM
missioner.
This evidence has been taken sup
posedly quite independent of anything
relating TO the BaIlinger-P inchot con-
troversy itself. and independent Of the
investigation of the CLAWS charges.
Aim of Ballinger Men.
If now the BalIinger supporters
should be able TO say that by this
independent inquiry. it had been found
there was no legal reason why the
claims should not be clear-listed and
ordered TO patent, the belief Of these
supporters is understood to be that il
would strengthen Mr.. Bauinger's
case.
In support Of the idea that the In
terror Department will decide that the
claims be patented. It is pointed out
that, in his argument for BaIIinger be-
lore the committee. Attorney Vertrees
dwelt almost constantly on the ides.
mat nothing had been brought out to
show that the Cunningham claims
should not be patented.
In case the claims are patented. then
VIII arise the Interesting question OF
what IS going TO come of them and
whether they will fall into the hands
OF the an-Guggenheim syndicate.
II Will be recalled that this syndicate
mas an option, or believes IL has. on half
the CUNNINGHAM coal properties.
Officials Tell of Options.
Some weeks ago Stephen Birch. gen
eral manager for the syndicate, and
Charles n. Steele, general counsel. ap-
peared before the Committee on Terri
tories of the Senate. and. to the surprise
OF nearly every one, told about the op-
ton held by the syndicate on the prop
critics in preston.
Much mystery has been made OF the
reasons that prompted them to take this
course. They told the Committee on
Territories many astounding facts as TO
the value Of the Alaskan coal proper
ties, and made II clear that the posses
sion of the Cunningham coal properties
would give the key TO coal district of
staggering value.
Now. the belief has taken hold Of
many who have been following the
course OF the invest cation into the
Ballnger- PinChOt controversy that
one OF the important objects of the Of
fcials Of the syndicate was to serve
notice that the syndicate believed IT
had an option, that its original agree
ment IN respect thereto held good,
and that it intended when the time
came TO take advantage Of the option.
Objects in View.
II this was not the object of the
statements Of the officials Of the
Alaska Syndicate IT is at least true
that by revealing what they did 70 the
Committee on Territories, most Of
which was later told the special com
mittee. the officials Of the syndicate
have left no doubt that the Guggen-
helm interests do not intend TO let
loose any hold they may have on these
tremendously valuable properties.
1t is QJ estion just what will be the
effect on ublic sentiment If the Cum
bingham coal properties are patented
about the time the special committee
makes its report or when II well un-
derstOOd the majority report is made
up in favor OF Ballinger.
While one view is that ii would
tend TO bolster up the case Of Mr.. Bal
lnger, another view is that II will
tend to increase criticism of that Of
fetal and that II viii be said that
the claims have not been given the
impartial consideration they should
have been given by q regime in the
Interior Department that is thorough
y committed to tie Ballinger cause