The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-14
RECORD PROVES
9AlL|NGER UNFIT
ATTORNEY BRANDEis.
Counsel for CLAWS Files Brief IN
Famous Case-Ballinger Attorney
Says Charges Are Baseless.

WASHINGTON. June l3.-Parting
shots were exchanged through the
medium OF three stocky volumes filed
today with the Ballinger-Pinchot con-
gressional investigating committee
representing the briefs OF counsel on
both sides.
The thousand-odd pages OF the docu-
ments bristle with the same sort OF
yituperation that marked the trial
from start TO finish. The committee
Is asked 10 regard L. r. CLAWS, the
former field agent. as "a patriot 10y
Attorney L. d. Brandeis) or traitor
and a snake" Thy Attorney Vertrees) {;
TO regard Clifford Pinchot. as the
jealous advocate OF good govern
ment" (by Attorney Pepper, and an
"arch conspirator seeking TO destroy
the good name OF a cabinet officer" (by
Attorney Vertrees).
Brandeis SAYS: In our opinion the
record amply discioses Mr. Ballinger
knowledge OF the situation and SHOWS
his hostility TO the peoples interests
and his cooperation with the private
special interests which were and are
striving TO take the peoples property
in violation OF the law.
Pepper says, Whatever may be tne
form Of their (the committees report
we trust that they will record their
definite conviction that the immediate
care of the public domain Is now In
unsafe hands
Vertrees says 1T Is no idle thing
TO assail the character OF member
Of the cabinet. He Is one or the ad-
visors OF the president and dishonor-
able conduct on his part not only
brings disgrace To- him as an lndl-
udual, but reproach upon the gov
eminent OF the republic itself. Con-
sequently such an accusation ought
not to be lightly brought There ought
surely to be substantial grounds. Here.
Il may be asserted there are abso-
lutely none. This prosecution Is cruel,
and It is baseless.'
Attorney vertrees dwelt consider.
ably on the conspiracy" which he de-
clsred was being prosecuted against
Ballinger by Pinchot. CLAWS and Gar
field. Attorney Pepper declared such
m accusation baseless. saying that 1T
is the convicted man who usually
raises the cry that the police and the
prosecutor have conspired against
him.
Attorney Pepper in his brief con.
tends that the case is really charge
against the executive
we find Il not a little difficult In
these days Of the reign OF law, IT
roads. ito Justify the course OF the
legislature in proceeding TO investigate
The executive As. however, the in
qniry was requested By the secretary
OF the interior, he cannot complain IL
full Jurisdiction is taken by the com
mittee."
In conclusion. Attorney Brandeis
sums up:
These facts which have been stated
are proved by the record. and by this
record the department of the interior
Is 20 b. Judged. II is not the same
record which was before the president.
I'm this proceeding Mr.. Wicker
sham appears no longer as an assis-
tant Judge filing his concurrence after
decision but as an overZealous advo-
cate I'm this proceeding Mr.. Lawler
assistant attorney-generalD Is not the
Judge but stands in his true light.
preindiced witness. bitter and vituper-
alive
in these controversies. CLAWS. Pin
chot. Jones and Kerby have been dis
missed Hoyt has resigned. Newell
and Davis hold SO slight tenure OF
ONCE that half this committee reports
they may be no longer in the service.
From The conduct OF these men this
committee will determine whether
they are honest men or snakes 10 DO
killed and traitors to be shamed. II
anyone OF them has told the truth. the