Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-27
CLAWS TESTIFIES AGAINST
THE CABINET MEMBER
Attorney for the Fire. Witness on
Stand Enumerates the Charges
Against Former Commissioner Of
Land Office and Says His Client
- Headed on Crooked Deal.
uBy Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Jan. IT,
The Ballng.r. pinchot congressional
committee of inquiry began its pub
lie sessions today with Louis X. :.
CLAWS. the chief accuser OF Secretary
Iiallingcr. on the witness stand Due
TO many interruptions and the final
decision OF the committee 10 Insist
that CLAWS counsel she uld make an
opening statement OF what specifics
charges were made against Mr.. BAL
linetT. the witness did not get very
far along in his narrative. There was
opportunity, however, to draw some
conclusions as 10 the preliminary
lineup of the comlttee.
The special counsel for CLAWS,
Louis ID. Brandeis, of Boston, SUM-
med up the ease for the prosecution"
in this way:
That prior to entering the govern
ment service in any capacity. Il. A.
Ballinger acted as attorney in draw
ing up an agreement in Escrow and
deeds in the Wilson Coal Company
eases in Lewis c-anty. wash. tilere
cases being an alleged fraud upon the
land laws.
Mr.. Ballinger's name did not APP
pear In the court records OF the case.
Series Of Mlsdeeds.
That MIR, Ballingsr. as commission-
or OF the land Office, in 1907, did not
shcw due dill 'gence in investigating
the alleged frauds connected with the
Cunningham coal land claims In Alas
ka That he had knowledge of all
the circumstances surrounding these
claims and in spite of this, entered
the employ of one of the claimants
after leaving the land Office and be-
+ re becoming SECRETARY of the inter-
ioF: that he ordered these claims 10
be clear listed" cor patent without
due investigation and that they would
have gone to patent II CLAWS and
others had not interviewed.
II /; not any one act. but series CT
acts and circumstances. declared Mr..
Brandeis, adding that II was for the
committee to determine whether or
not the lands which should be held
for the benefit of the people. ARE IN
safe hands"
SenatsTs Nelson. Root and Suther-
land and Representatives Olmsted
and Madison were the more active OF
the committee in plying the witness
and his attorney with Questions.
Democrats Take Little Hand.
The Democratic members we're not
much in evidence today Repre- SEN
tative Graham. one q the Democratic
~.-ssl
Nelson during the final minutes or
the hearing G-1d declared In a certain
instance the burden of proof was Up
on the secretary OF the interior. Tath-
or than upon the accusing witness.
The inquiry will be resumed FRIDAY
morning and thereafter there will be
morning and afternoon sittings every
Friday and Saturday.
Questioned by his own counsel.
CLAWS charged that when the Escrow
agreement in the WIis-n case was
drawn " by BalIinger il was an IN
lawful proceeding. as the entTymen
had no right az the time TO enter INTO
this
Claws said the Information came 20
him second hand. that stipulation
had beer entered into by the govern
men; unset in the Wilson cases and
the attorneys for the claimants
whereby the name Of Mr. BaliingsT
vas not 70 appear. The witness raic
the records would ear him ont
Claws claimed that Bailinger's par
.icipafion amcunted 70 q Conspiracy
in a fra-dulcut claim against the SOW
eminent. lie described ~ detail the
location and extent Of the Cunning
ham claims in Alaska.
Outlines Charges.
Mr. Rrandeis. Giavls' counsel. was
asked 10 outline the specific charges
against Secretary Bliinxer. He sad.
IL appears frst that Nr. Daiiincer.
while comm. si-ncr o. the land once.
took an active part IN the controversy
and investigation when aro7c - -
ire validity OF the Alaska coal ianfs.