East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-03-14
CHARGES BALL|NGER
DELIBERATELY LIED.
OHIEF ENGINEER DAVIS OF
RECLAMATION SERVICE TALKS
Proves Valuable Witness for "Prose-
cution"-Shows Where Secretary OF
Interior Falsified Repeatedly-Da-
Wis Defends the Umatilla Project.

ton ADDS more and more to the serious
nature of the charges against the sec
retary of the interior and 1t will take
a deep coating of whitewash to make
him ever again presentable to the pub
lie eye. Chief Engineer Davis of the
reclamation service, who was on the
stand all day Saturday. proved to be
one Of the most valuable witnesses of
the prosecution" His testimony
brought out several charges. He made
the direct accusation that an investi-
cation by an agent of the reclamation
service had shown that e. r. Perkins,
an employe of the service, was re-
celvng $500 month from the Har-
riman railroad interests while doing
lecture work for the bureau. Davis
further testified that Perkins had not
been dismissed as a result of these
charges and Of others brought to
light after an investigation by two
agents appointed by Secretary Bal
linger. Perkins is still in charge of
the Chicago office of the reclama-
tion service.
on REORGANIZATION by Attorney
Vertrees. Davis declared also that in
his place as purchasing agent at Chi
cago, Perkins favored the Hartman
lines in routing shipments OF mate
rials, etc. to irrigation projects in the
west
Perkins Bigger Than His Bureau.
"Fifty-nine per cent of the ship
ments from Chicago to Mesa, Ariz.,
last summer" Davis said, "were rout-
ed the longest OF three ways. They
went from Chicago to New Orleans
over the Illinois Central and then over
the Southern Pacific and Union Pa
cific through southern California.
Shipments were delayed three to ten
days. 1t will be observed that the
Hartman line exclusively profted by
this roundabouting."
The witness said Perkins had not
been in his office from August TO De-
cember had spent $24 900 where only
$4,000 should have been expended,
had refused 10 recognize Director
Newell of the reclamation service as
his superior and said he took orders
only from Secretary Ballinger.
Baliingcr Charged With Falsifying.
Referring TO the letter of Secretary
Bailinger to President Taft. dated
September Is, 1909. Attorney Pepper
read the following extract to the wit
ness,
That the policy Of restoration (re-
ferring to water. power lands) has not
been, and was not reversed. Is self
evident. and has been amply demon
strated."
'Is that a correct statement" he
asked the witness.
1T is not" said Davis.
Pepper then referred to letter to
Senator La Toilette written by Sec
retary Ballinger on May l3. In it he
said:
'T restored to the public domain
lands upon the recommendation OF
the director Of the reclamation serv-
ice. he advising me that the informa-
ton in his possession would not war
rant further reservation of the lands
"Is that in accordance with the
facts?" asked Pepper.
"It is not" said Davis.
Reclamation Service I'm False Light.
Pepper then referred to the presi-
dents letter Of September %, which
exonerated Ballinger from CLAWS and
other charges, and then read the fol-
lowing
soon after you became secretary OF
the interior you said that you mad ap-
plied TO the reclamation bureau to
know whether il (the power site land)
was desired for reclamation purposes
and that they recommended that 1t be
returned to the public domain"
what is the fact in regard tc
that?" the witness was asked
"I do not regard the action we TOOK
as recommending the restoration
said Davis
Then. referring to Secretary Balm
gers letter TO the president, answering
that sent to the executive by James II
Garfield. Pepper read;
Regarding the assertions OF Mr
Garfield. I regarded his blanket win
dawals as Illegal In working 1t ou
conld find no other solution excep
nv wav of restoration and rewithdraw
al in tho manner in which 1t was nan
died"
To this Davis replied that Secretar!
Rallinger had never intimated ina
tho lands which he restored were u
he withdrawn, until April 2S' when nj
policy was suddenly reversed
Pepper cited several other letter
written by Ballinger, all of which de
cIarcd the reclamation service recon
mended the restoration Of the waite
power Withdrawals. made by Garfielc
Davis registeded a specific denla
in each case
one Point FOR Ballinger
point scored by Vertrees in cross
examining the witness was that ia
linser had. early in August written
President Taft. stating the pressln
need of FUNDS to further reclamauo
work. and that the executive mad r.
nlied directing that the secretai
economics in the funds for the re-
lamatIon bureau until congress me
This was introduced to show WI
Rarinper as Davis had testified, WI
"narinq down" salaries and declarir
rt. intention to reorganize the ser
Ice. J..
The Ballinger attorney also Ia
stress on Davis explanation that
ala not wish the committee Ito 8
tho impression that he was accusi'
RalIinger of wrongdoing either inte
tlonally or consciously"
"I do not believe he did wrong
said "I do not wish to be undt
q Il tratr Il