The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-20
Extent of Syndicate's Land
Control in Alaska Now
IA Understood.
HOYT'S TESTIMONY
is TURNING POINT
Friends of Former Forester De-
clare Recent Developments
Have Assured Victory.
BY JOHN SNURE.

By JOHN SNURE.
Thst the BaIlinger- PInchot contro-
versy and the investigation into it which
Is now being conducted. have assumed a
radically different phase in view Of the
testimony of Henry NJ Hoyt attorney
general. Of Porto Rico. is now generally
recognized about the Capitol
More than this, the revelations Of the
representatives OF the Morgan-Guggen-
helm syndicate who have appeared before
the Senate Committee on Territories,
and told of the extent OF the interests
OF the syndicate in Alaska are recOg-
nized as certain TO have an important
bearing on the BaIIinger-P fnchot con-
troversy
Further, the revelations of the repre-
Eentatives Of the Morgan uggenheim
syndicate have made the enactment Of
tho Alaska government bill, 20 change
the form Of the government Of Alaska
so as TO provide for a governor and leg
islatve council. utterly impossible. This
hin, it Is now clear. cannot be passed
this sess ION. and It is doubtful whether
81 can ever be passed.
The supporters OF the Pinchot side
N the controversy between the former
chief forester and Secretary -BaIlinger
are not merely greatly encouraged by
the Hoyt testimony and by the disclo-
Sures before the Committee on Terri
tories. Of which Senator Beveridge is
chairman, but they are enthusiastic.
They say that the Developments of the
last thirty-six hours have won their
case for them.
Claws Supported.
Until now. they point out, there has
been a concerted effort 10 break down
Claws But the fact that Mr. Hovt, the
attorney general for Porto Rico, has
come along and backed Claws up. cor
roborating the deposed special agent
fully. presents a situation that the
friends Of Secretary BaIIinger in the
Senate are not going to find it easy 10
Eet around. as the Pinchot supporters
view It.
Not few of the more enthusiastic
Of the Pinchot supporters declare, the
light Is over already, and that it win be
impossible for the committee TO return
a finding which I'm tie eyes Of the coun-
Try will not justify Pinchot
A phase of the recent Developments
much discussed about the Capitol is why
Ine representatives OF the MOrEan-CSug-
genheim syndicate appeared before the
Committee on Territories and gave the
testimony they did, telling OF the wide
interests OF the syndicate in Alaska.
Protesting that the syndicate did not
intend to gObble UP Alaska General
Manager Birch, of the syndicate, and
John y. steele, general counsel. gave
testimony that showed the syndicate did
have plans matured to give strategic
control Of a large share Of the mineral
wealth Of the Territory. The committee
was surprised at the extent of the in
terests of the syndicate.
Ceoaforc C,,rDrIea5
Just why representatives Of the svndf-
cate should inform the committee that
the Cunningham coal land claims were
worth S25.OOO,OOO. and that they lay in
the central part Of the Behring river
region, and make il clear that the con-
troll Of the Cunningham property, Plus
the control of the railroad tapping that
property, would give the syndicate the
key to the tremendously valuable Ben
ring river coal fields. which would be
worth $500 100000 developed, is something
that is a good deal Of a mystery among
Senator's.
Even the members of the Senate Com
mittee on Territories do not pretend TO
know why the Morgan rep
resentatives saw lit TO divulge what
they did. Various explanations are
given. One explanation is this:
That the syndicate perceived its rep
resentatives would be called before the
special committee Of investigation which
is probing INTO the BalLnger-PinchOt
controversy and that they would there
be compelled TO testify about the Gun
bingham claims: that any revelations
made before that committee would in
evitably be given more sensational
Turn than If made before another com
-nittee, and that IL would therefore, be
better 10 dull the edge of the whole
business by voluntarily appearing before
the Committee on Territories and max
ng a stltement.
]. P. Morgan interested.
Another story current is that J. Pier
pOnt Morgan. before departing for Eu-
rope, left orders that the full facts as to
the syndicate's dealings in Alaska
should be given out II is said in this
connection that the syndicate has de-
termined on a policy Of publicity and
that the purpose OF il is TO counteract
the attacks which are being made upon
A. and its alleged methods and opera
tons in Alaska.
Stiil another explanation is that the
representatives Of the syndicate came
on here 70 make a statement, not ex-
pecting there would be cross-exanina-
ton and a drawing out OF details, such
as took place before the Committee on
Territories.
Not much stock is taken in this, how
ever, as Mr.. Birch and Mr. Steele are
both astute men and undoubtedly under
stood what IL meant 10 20 I'D before a
committee of Congress.
One point in the appearance Of Mr.
Steele and Mr.. Birch before the Com
mIttee on Territories that is not under
stood is why the, voluntarily came here
at time when their testimony is GER
tain to do dana se to the cause o.. Sec
rotary Ballinger before the country in
connection VITA the Ballinger-Pfnchot
controversy. Nor is their testimony like
y 10 help bring about the patenting of
the Cunningham claims and the turnina,
or the property over, under the option
20 the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS syndicate.
Purpose of Action.
Taking this phase of the matter into
account, number OF Senators are going
about asking whether the syndicate has
suddenly concluded that it VIII neither
get the Alaska legislation 1t is reputed
10 want nor get the Cunningham claims
patented and is bent on making the
Administration suffer for it.
While Mr.. Birch and NJ. Steele have
testified before Territories. they will not
necessari y therefore be excused from
appearing before the special COMMITTEES
which is investigating the BallingeF-
P1nchJt controversy.