Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-01-27
Claus Story of In
terror Depart
ment Misdeeds


Continued From page /, Column y
Tho agreement. however, never was
signed.
Claws said the information came
to him second hand. IT'S a stipulation
had bceh entered into by the govern
inent counsel in the Wilson eases and
the attorneys for the claimants
whereby the name of Ballinger was
not to appear. The witness said the
records would bear him out
CLAWS next turned to the Alaska
coal fields and described in detail the
location ana extent OF the Cunning
ham claims.
After CLAWS had proceeded for half
an hour or more, Representative
DENLY Of Michigan interrupted him
Representative James Of kentucky
.tDem.) said he thought the witness
should be allowed to proceed in his
own way.
Representative Graham OF Illinois
Demo suggested that CLAWS counsel
should make the statement. THIS
course finally was decided upon and
Attorney Brandeis arose 70 address
the committees.
lie said Claws attention first was
called to the fraudulent coal land
claims when he was in Seattle ms chief
official II division IN 1907. lialiinger
at that time was COMMISSIONS Of the
land office. CLAWS heard that q num-
her Of prominent people in Seattle
were interested IN the fraudulent
Ia Alaska. tie met Special
Agent Jones Of the lana office who
was on his way to Alaska to investi-
gate the Alaska claims.
When Jones after a preliminary in
vestigation returned 70 Seattle in Au-
gust, 1907, he was directed to report
At once to Commissioner Ballingcr
Who was in Seattle at the time.
\ We cinlm.' said Mr.. Brandeis.
commissioner Ballinger thcreupou
modified the orders which had heen
given TO Jones by Assistant Commits
sioner bennett TO make "a full ana
thorough Investigation to making
only d part Investigation. taking only
one or two affidavits IN each group
Of fully covering the matter.
Mr.. Ballinger also stated that II
patents could not be granted on the
as matters stood. relief would be
OF congress-. Jones had boen
SEM to Alaska because Special Agent
Love OF the department, who had jur-
lived in Alaska and was more
or less closely Identified with the
claimants. Love. however, aided Jones
in his work.
There were repeated conferences in
between Jones and Ballinger
and various directions We're given by
fallinger both TO Jones and to Love.
was 4 full discussion as to the
rights. legality and fraud of the Alaska
claims
Mr.. Rrandeis then went more brief
into the CLAWS charges against Bal.
Iinger as presented to President Tart
acted upon bS him. lie said rec
concentrations BY CLAWS and Jones In
The Alaska case were not acted on
oy Commissioners Ballingor. Claws
sought an affidavit nom a nan named
Davis. Davis said he had talked the
over with Ballinger and had
Jeen told not To make any statement
After this CLAWS came TO Washing
on ana urged with the land office ass
% the danger Of scandal IN the Alaska
He then WAS directed to pro-
with a fun investigation. soon
lfter he left WASHINGTON. however, eN-
Governor Miles G.. Moore came here to
see Ballingcr-to see if the claims
-onld not be hurried 10 patent.
Senator Nelson charged the attor-
icy with withholdius the fact that
Moore was referred to the assistant
Iecrctarv of the interior.
MIR Brandeis said senator Nelson
vas mistaken and was thinking of Bat
myers action in Mny, 1909. as %secr"-
arv Of tho interior. while he was
peakine or Baliineer's action as COM
missioner Of the land office IN 1897.
Il am stating what is distinctly a
act aud about which there can De- no
question:. said Mr.. Hrnndeis.
I'm January. 1893" he continued
heard that Ealiinger had or
Tered the Cunningham claims TO clear
for patent. he NJ once toic-l
asking that this action be
uspended and came to Washington.
Ie said he had just obtained possess
Jon Of tho CUNNINGHAM journal which
'ore conelusiy. evidence OF fraud.
"iIo met ~eX-GoNtrnor Moore and
%'larepcc C-unningltam here and witsl
old b. Moore but tnat for his tglatis)
tina land would have gone %
"tfi3yis also discovered tliat con-
~ an practice Cunningham and
,lher claimants had received inior-
nation rs 10 what the field agents 81
me- department. were doing. Cunning