The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-18
JOINS BALLINCER
WITH SYNDICATE
Dismissed Stenographer Gives
Sensational Evidence.
TOLD GARFIELD ABOUT TAFT
Kerby Tells of Letters Advising In
spector of Alaska Lands to Go with
Morgan Man on Inspection Trip.

Kerby Tells of Letters Advising In
spector Of Alaska Lands to Go With
Morgan Man on Inspection Trip.
Washington, May 1S-Supposed con-
nection between Secretary Balllnger
and the Guggenheim-Morgan syndicate
in Alaska were traced in testimony
before the Ballinger-Pinchot probers.
The testimony was given by Fred
eriek M. Kerby, the stenographer
whom Ballinger dismissed from the
government service.
Kerby read letters from Ballinger
to r. H. Thompson, city engineer OF
Seattle, Wash, suggesting that Thorn
son accompany George w. Perkins,
of ]. P. Morgan & Co., to inspect
Alaska mineral lands.
The dismissed stenographer had tes-
titled earlier that he understood Bal
linger had slated thomson for direc-
tor of the reclamati service to sue
coed Frederick H.. Newell. the present
director.
81 don't believe that man who has
qualified to go to Alaska to advise J.
p. Morgan & Co. regarding mineral
lands there Is a fit man to be at the
head of the governments reclamation
service" declared Kerby.
BaIIinser's Correspondence.
Secretary Ballinger's confidential
correspondence with Thomson reached
the committee at its afternoon session
and Kerby read all to the committee
Among them were letters and tele-
grams exchanged in Blastzun regard
ing the trip to Alaska which Ballinger
suggested Thomson should take that
summer with Perkins.
Ballinger wrote Thomson that Per-
kins' associates desired to make some
investigation in Alaska with view
of establishing railway in connec-
ton with the development of mineral
lands, and that Perkins had asked him
to recommend an expert engineer to
accompany him. Ballinger wrote that
he had recommended Thomson.
In the same letter Ballinger made
references to the reclamation service,
and from these references Kirby said
he drew his inference that Ballingr
intended tc supplant Newell with
Thomson.
When Kerby left the stand Oscar
Lawler. assistant attorney general for
the interior department, was called as
witness He was quizzed about the
preparation of his memorandum" on
the charges of L. R. CLAWS against
Secretary Ballinger.
drilled by Committee.
Earlier in the day Kerby was grilled
by the Republican members of the
committee on every phase and motive
of his giving out statement Satur-
day, declaring that this memorandum,
dictated to him by Lawler. was vir-
tually the letter of President Taft ex-
onerating Secretary Ballinger and or.
dering the dismissal of CLAWS.
Self-possessed and oomplacent,
Kerby underwent the ordeal to which
the Republican members of the COM
mittee subjected him. He insisted that
there was no improperly in what he
had done. He declared that if Secre-
tary Ballinger had responded to the
cali of Louis D. Brandeis, counsel for
L. R. CLAWS, for the "Lawler memo
randum." 1t would have been unneces-
sary for him to take the course he did
to get the information before the com.
mittee
Kerby said his one-time chief. for
mer Secretary Garfield, had told him
at Clifford Pinchot's home in this city
last February that 1t was his duty to
tell the facts If he was called upon to
do so. It was upon that occasion. he
said, that he had first told Garfield and
Pinchot of the memorandum in the
presence of Mr.. Brandeis. To Mr..
Brandeis he had later mentioned that
he knew it to be Mr.. Ballinger's pur
pose to supplant Mr.. Newell. director
Of the reclamation service with r. H.
Thomson, of Seattle.
When the first call for the memo
randum came to the department. Ker
by said, Massey. another stenographer.
who also assisted Lawler in preparing
his memorandum for the president
said to Mr.. Carr, Ballinger's private.
secretary: "You know what that
means, don't you?"
Cars reply. according to Kerby.
was: Eyes, but they'll have hard
time getting it,"
Not q "Cautious Patriot"
Kerby declined to agree with Sena
tor Sutherland that he was cautious
patriot" in making sure of a new job
before he risked losing his old one
Senator Root was particularly bitter
in his questioning of the witness. do
you think it was reputable transac-
tion," he demanded, Ito go to persons
unfriendly to your superior. with con
fidential Information of his depart.
ment?"
Il did under the circumstances" re-
piled Kerby. 1.-THE country had the
fore him."
Before Kerby was called President
Taft's explanation of the circum-
stances under which hiG letter. exon
Grating Secretary Ballinger and dis
missing CLAWS. was prepared. was
presented by Senator Nelson. tbs
chairman. II will be printed as pal
Of the record of the committee
State of Ohio, City Of Toledo,
Lucas County.
Frank J. Cheney make oath that he
is senior partner of the firm of F. J..
ChenY & Co. doing business in the