The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-29
SGCretaTyOt Interior Is Ready
 to Make Defense
BRANDE|s IS TURNED DOWN
Attorney for GIavis Makes Request of Investigating Committee That All Papers In Case Be Submitted
 But This Is Denied

Washington, April 2S-Secretary Bal finger will go on the stand tomor- row to tell his version of the conserva- ton controversy between former For ester Clifford Pinchot and himself. His testimony will mark the beginning of the end of the investigation which the select congressional committee has been conducting since last January into the conflicting affairs of the interior de- pertinent and the forestry service. ? Near the end of a dull days session Mir. Ballinger appeared rather uneX- pectedly in the, hearing room of tn. Senate office building and announced himself ready to take the stand. At torney Pepper, counsel for MT. Pin- chot, was cross-examining Director Smith of the geological survey at the time in regard to withdrawals of wa ter power sites under Secretary Gar field and also under Secretary Bal finger.
 Members of the committee were talk ing little interest in the proceedings and were some dozing in their chairs It was at this juncture thtt Mr. Bal finger walked quietly through the rear door following in the wake of his attorney, MT. Vertrees. There was revival of interest immediately.
 MT. Ballinger took his seat by the eide of his lawyer and listened atten- lively.
 MT. Pepper soon abandoned his ex.
 
 whispered about the room that the secretary was about to take the stand. This was his intention. but several of the committee members wanted to ask MT. Smith several questions, and when the last had been put the committee had already been in session half an hour beyond its usual adjourning time
 BalIinger Is Ready
 MT. Vertrees announced to, the com mittee that MT. Ballinger was ready to go on, but that he could wait un : til tomorrow if the committee desired to adjourn. Chairman Nelson thought 1t would be better for Mr. Ballinger to begin his testimony in the morning. The committee then adjourned.
 Attorney Vertrees announced during the day that he expected to finish his case by the end of next week. So. he said, only considerable time spent In the examination of MT. Ballinger will forestall the case, and the end of the case is not far off
 At the beginning of thA hearing Chairman Nelson announced tl at the committed had voted to refuse the re- quest of Attorney Brandeis, counsel for L. R. Glavis, for full information beq rinpr ha 1f ney General Wickersham's summary of the Glavis charges which he prepared for the President.
 MT. Brandeis aimed to prove his conten- ton that MT. Wickersham prepared the summary In December last, but dated it September II, so as to make 1t appear that the President had based his letter of September 13, exonerating Ballineer of the charges, on that report.
 The committees exact attitude was that Attorney General Wickersham was not under Investigation. and as he had de- clined to have anything to say on the subject 1t was not within the province or the committee to delve into the matter This was the view of only the regular re- publican members, however, it Is stated
 The democrats, supported by Repre- sentative Madison, the insurgent republi- can on the committee, voted to grant MT. Brandeis' request
 Request By Brandeis
 Attorney Brandeis made the request in a letter dated April 23 last his evident pur- pose being to substantiate his implied charge that the Attorney Generals summary had not been prepared until nearly two months after September II, 1909, which date it bore.
 MT. Brandeis protested to the commit tee against its disposition of his request without giving him an opportunity to make some argument but MT. Nelson told him the matter was closed.
 Before MT. Smith resumed the stand Senator Root asked Attorney Vertrees, counsel for Secretary Ballinger how long he thought 1t would require for him to conclude the direct testimony of his wit nesses. MT. Vertrees thought the end of next week ought to see the completion of his case allowing reasonable" time for cross examination.
 Secretary Ballinger arrived in the ante room of the hearing chamber just before f o'clock while Attorney Pepper was ex- amining MT. Smith. When he was ush- cred into the sitting room by MT. Ver- trees, dropping interest was revived in both the committee and the spectators. It was the first time MT. Ballinger had attended session.
 Mr. Ballnger took a. seat beside MT. Vertrees and the two engaged in earnest conversation while MT. Pepper continued with his examination of MT Smith.