The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-03-10

Washington. March 10.-The Balm
gerPlnchot investigation was re.
sumed today with James r. Garfield.
former secretary of the interior. on
tho witness stand.
Some difficulty was experienced in
getting n quorum of the committee 10.
gether. 1t was not until Senator
Root arrived at 1890 o'clock that
seven members were present.
Former Secretary Garfield, resum-
ing his testimony. explained the Alas.
kn coal bills introduced into con
gress during his administration of the
interior department On the hearings
on these bills. Mr. Garfield said, he
and Mr. BallInger. who was then com
missioner of the land Office, differed
on the question as to whether the
proposed future classification OF coal
lands in Alaska and an increase Of
price over $40 an acre should apply
TO locations already made and en-
tered
The witness said Mr. Ballinger
thought the lands already entered
should be allowed patent at the $40
an acre provided by the old law. This
would have allowed the Cunningham
claims to be paid for at that price.
Questioned by Senator Sutherland.
Mr.. Garfield said he believed himself
that az 10 locations made In good
faith, the cntrymen should have the
right TO the $40 price"
Mt Garfield then read an exchange
OF letters between himself and Mr.
Ballinger. after the latter had left the
land office In April, 1908. and while
the coal bills were still pending.
Mr Ballinger addressed Mr.. Gar
field as My Dear Jim" and the latter
replied my Dear Dick"
MI Balliugers letter was evidently
called out by some criticism OF his
course before the committees, and he
detailed his position at some length.
concluding with the statement that
before he left Washington he had
talked with President Roosevelt about
the whole matter and that the Presl-
dent had commended his action.
In his reply TO Mr. Ballirger, Sec
rotary Garfield urged him not 60 be
disturbed about his position on the
coal bills. that he had always under.
stood II and had told newspaper men
there mover had been any mlsunder
standing
Mr. Garfield said he had never read
Mr. Bsllinger's testimony before the
congressional committees, however
until he had gone out of office,
Senator Nelson questioned the Wit
ness closely as TO statement that
Balllnger had been In error in stating
Mr. Garheld's position rs TO the Alas
ka coal bills.
Mr.. Garfield said his recommenda
tons cited by Mr. Ballinger applied
To a general coal bill and not to tho
Alaska measure
Wiling 10 Condone Fraud.
But as a matter OF fact didn't 20,
say YOU were willing To condoue fraud
II the fraudulent claimants paid ;
higher price based on the classiica
iion Of the coal2" asked Senator Mel
son
The effect nj the section which
recommended was that part Of tn,
coal bill giving the new policy on cca
deposits. that there should be u valid
az on OF all entries at new classified
price. Up to 1850 acres I WIS willin
that claims should be consolidate
and was willing 10 condone pno
frauds
Mr.. Garfield said the difference II
the old price OF $40 an acre and
CLASSIFIED price might prove TO be
difference between $4,000 and $500
00o.
Attorney Pepper read to the wi
ness a portion Of Secretary Balllnger
reply 70 the President concerning q