Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-10


the Interior, much surprised the Balm
ger-Pinchot investigating committee this
morning by expressing doubt of the neces-
nation projects.
He was asked if the thirty million-d dollar
issue of bonds recommended by President
Taft was not made necessary to relieve
hardships growing out OF the cooperative
plan.
Mr. Garfield declared that the proposed
issue of bonds would cover a much wider
field of reclamation than that begun I'M
der his administration Of the Interior De-
partment.
In fact" declared Mr.. Garfield, Il
don't believe it is necessary to issue any
bonds at all
But aren't there hardships growing out
of the present status of the project?"
asked Senator Sutherland.
In individual cases, yes. They arise
from failure on the part of entry
men to appreciate the difficulties Of
developing irrigated lands and from
their going on the land long before
the projects could be completed and
water turned on. They were constantly
warned against doing this and went at
not responsible for their plight"
Mr.. Garfield said he was not certain
that a bond issue, as now proposed.
would hurry the projects to proper
completion any faster than would be
possible under the old way of raising
funds by the sale of public lands.
Many of the projects are expert
mental" said the witness, and 1t is
a serious question as to whether it
would be wise to go faster than the
sale of lands allows. Physically the
projects could be completed at a much
earlier date by a bond issue, but
doubt If it would decrease the cost"
Difference With Ballinger.
The examination of Mr.. Garfield was
taken up this morning at the point where
it was left off when the committee adj
journed last Saturday. Mr.. Garfield had
just begun a detailed explanation of the
four coal land bills which were intro
duced III Congress during his term as
Secretary. He continued mis- explanation
at the opening of the session today. At
the hearing on these bills Mr.. Garfield
said that he and Mr.. BallinSer, who was
then commissioner of the land office. dit
fered on the question as 10 whether pro-
posed future classification of coal lands IN
Alaska and an increase OF price OF over $40
an acre should apply TO locations already
Ballinger thought lands already entered
should be allowed patent at the $40 an
acre provided by the old law. This would
nave allowed the Cunningham claims TO
be paid for at that price.
Questioned by Senator Sutherland, Mr.
Gal field said he believed himself That as
TO locations made i'll good faith tie en-
trymen should have had the right 10 the
ten-dollar price.
Friendly Relations.
Mr.. Garfield then read an exchange OF
letters between himself and Mr.. Ballinger
after the latter had left the land office III
April, 1905 and while the coal bills were
still lending. Mr.. Ballnger addressed
Mr.. Garfield as My dear Jim," and the
latter replied: My dear Dick.
Mr.. Ballinger's letter was evidently
called out by some criticism of his course
before the committees of Congress, and
he detailed mis- position at some length,
closing with the statement that before
leaving Washington he had talked with
President Roosevelt about the whole mat
ter and that the PRESIDENT mad commend
ed his action.
In his reply to Mr.. Ballinger Secretary
Garfield urged him not to be disturbed
about his position On the coal bills; that
he mad always understood ii ana had
told newspaper men that there never had
been any MISUNDERSTANDING.
Mr.. Garfield said he had never read Mr..
Balinger's testimony before the congress
sional committees, however, until he had
gone out of office.
Would Take New Classification.
Senator Nelson questioned the witness
closely as to statement that Ballinger
had been in error in stating Mr.. Garfield's
position as TO the Alaska coal bills.
Mr. Garfield said his recommendations
cited by Mr.. Ballinger applied to a gen.
eral coal bill and not to the Alaska meas
ure.
But as a matter of fact didn't you say
Won were willing to condone fraud if the
fraudulent claimants paid a higher price
based on the classification of the coal?'
asked Senator Nelson.
1.-The effect of the section which | rec
commended was that If the entire coal bill
ma ssed and the government adopted a new
policy as to coal deposits there should be
q valuation of all entries at a new classi-
fed price Up to 2, $50 acres l was willing
that claims should be consolidated and
was willing to condone prior fraud
Mr. Garfield said the difference in the
old price of SO an acre and a classified
price might prove to be a difference be-
tween $4,000 and 5000
Contradicts Ballinger.
Attorney Pepper read to the witness
a part of Secretary Ballinger's reply to
the President concerning the charges
against him. wherein Mr.. Ballinger de-
clared that Mr.. Garfield, who had writ
ton President Taft himself had mazda