The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-27
BALLINGER PROBE
TAKES WIDE RANGE
Continued from Page One.

no affidavit or statement until the govern
ment had made up its case. when he
would know Just what he was expected
TO report.
Mr. Braudeis dweIt upon this matter as
important He declared 1t was a viola
ton OF the rules OF the Office, and that
II interfered with the efforts Of Special
Agent CLAWS to get the necessary proofs
on which to determine the validity Of
the Hunt claim
At this point dispute arose as 70
whether CLAWS had ever communicated
this information to the Land Office. The
witness was drawn into the colloquy and
called attention to a letter in the pub
Iished correspondence in which, writing
10 the Secretary cf the Interior on an
other matter. he had referred 10 what
Davis had told him, but had received no
reply from Mr. Ballnger.
Chairman Nelson sought 20 establish
the fact that the letter containing this In
formation might not have reached the
Secretary personally.
Attorney Calls Attention.
Thereupon Attorney Brandeis called the
attention Of the committee 10 the pub
lished correspondence to show that the
Secretary Of the Interior had acknowl-
edged the letter. but had made no refer
enoe 60 the statement Of the alleged con
versation with young Davis.
Mr., Byandeis thought this was slgnif-
cant. but Representative Olmsted by
dInt OF questioning, brought out the fact
that the matter was subsequently dis
/ cussed by BaIlnger and CLAWS IN a con-
/ ference they held later IN Washington.
and that the Secretary had more than
once denied that he ever gave any such
advice to Davis. The climax Of this Incl
dent was a decision BY the committee to
call Charles Davis as q witness.
/ Before the matter was finally concluded
/ CLAWS drew from his pocket an envelope
on which he made notes OF the alleged
! conversation with Davis Immediately
/ after It occurred. and the memorandum
was introduced in evidence.
! Considerable interest was aroused by the
/ reference 10 the visit 10 Washington. in
4 January 1913. OF eX-Gov. Miles c. Moore
in the interest OF the Cunningham claims
and the order which followed almost i'm
mediately directing that they be clear
listed" Mr. Brandeis emphasized the
fact that al the time this order was issued
CLAWS was making preparations. under
orders. TO make a full investigation OF
all the claims.
( As soon as he heard OF the order he
70
iceeded in getting the patents held up
Subsequently ne found that Moore had
received while in Washington informa-
ton as to what the governments agents
had discovered IN connection with the
investigation Of the Cunningham cases
and copies Of all papers.
Cited an Order.
He cited the order issued IN March
from the Land Office directing that the
| investigation be completed within sixty
days, and then asserted that such an in
vesugauon would have been impossible
and cited Claws kilograms to Washing
ton, pointing out that IL would be I'm
possible 70 make this investigation before
July because OF the winter season Fl
Alaska.
Representative Olmsted reminded tn,
attorney that the extension Of the time
asked for had been granted. To this Mr.
Brandeis Tetorted that it was not granted
until after Secretary Wilson had inter
lposed for the Forestry Bureau and asked
for the extension on the ground that g
part OF the land was within a forest re-
serve.
Just before Mr.. Brandeis concluded hi.
statement Representative DENLY asked:
"As a result of your summary, what
charges do you make?"
The attorney explained Mr.. Bauinger
as Commissioner. had taken an activ,
part in the claims and had acquired Ger,
tain knowledge concerning them which
made 1t improper for him later to appear
as counsel for the complainants. He wa.
careful to state that he made no charges
Of corruption.
He did charge, he said, that Ballingel
had acted Improperly IN ordering certain
claims to patent, with expedition, withou
giving CLAWS a chance to investigate, and
in according q hearing 10 Moore in III,
interest of the claimants and ordering
the applications to clear list without no
tifying CLAWS
The hearing adjourned at o'clock I'm
til tomorrow morning, when CLAWS will
resume