The San Francisco call., 1910-02-27

" ! -aF,t1t-NtT tONs req. -b.-GluofO
w Pinchots. opening statement in
the Baninser Pinchot inquiry
this afternoon was read by Secretary
BsiIinger in his Office late today. IN
response as TO whether he intended to
make any reply. Ballinger wrote out
She following statement:
Tn view Of the fact that will
presently have an opportunity to ap-
pear before the committee and ac-
quaint them with the truth, I shall not
reply through the press to the men
daciOus ssPersions which Mr.. PfnehOt
seeks 10 cast upOn me. He attempted
without success 10 deceive the preSi-
dent lie will find il will he equally
difficult for him 10 deceive the COM
nittee.
obviously, the only deception in
which he hopes 10 succeed is tenn
POrary deception Of the public through
zhe press. This he has endeavored to
do by giving out In advance the intro
6ucfOry statement which has appeared.
and which nc has been malignant
enough 10 present, but not quite reck-
less enough 10 state upon oath.
Fortunately, as already stated.
viii soon have an opportunity to give
80 the committee, and. through the
committee. 10 the public. the facts and
the truth. and. for that reason, 1 have
no statement at present 10 Make
Sensational Opening
clifford Pinchor. the dismissed chief
forester Of the United States. before be-
ing sworn in the Ballinger- -Pinchot in
fry today. dramatically declared that,
wnen his story had been told, the coun-
try would demand verdict .1n har-
mony with dhe general conviction that
the secretary Of the interior has been
unfaithful TO the public. whose prop
erty he has endangered. and TO the
president. whom he has deceived.
/. r. CLAWS, the Cunningham coal
claims and Attorney Brandeis all stood
aside TO make room for Pinchot, for
Attorney Wharton Pepper. his personal
counsel, and for his story OF Secretary
p BalIinger's dealings with the water
power sites Of the public domain.
Pinchot accused Secretary Baninger
OF having made an explanation of his
conduct to the president that was -'es-
sentially false. He charged him with
being a dangerous enemy TO conserva-
tion." He charged him with having
made statement shown by undisputed
documentary evidence ito be absolutely
false iu three essential particulars"
lie charged him with having "willfulIy
deceived the president" and Of being
disloyal to the president.
Nervous at Beginning
Pinchot's first hours on the witness
stand were as replete with sensation a
had been promised. and the sunocating
crowd in the hearing room hung in
fently upon every word that fell from
his lips a trife nervous at FIRST.
Pinchot soon became accustomed TO his
surroundings and maintained a conf
dent poise thereafter
His recital had not progressed far.
however. when there came ar objection
from Baliinger's attorney as TO the wit
uess repeating conversations with Pres
sdent Taft It was contended that the
relation OF these conversations would
put the president in an attitude where
ne would either have to remain silent
or appear before the committee as
witness, which, It was declared. would
be undesirable.
The question was argued for some
time. and, in HIS statement OF the mat
ter. the attorney for Pinchot admitted
that President Taft in letter written
subsequent TO the conversation. had de-
clared that his recollection of what
transpired at the interview differed in
some particulars from that Of Pinchot
The matter was put over for considera-
tion by the committee. and ii is ex-
pected a decision viii be announced
when the next session is held Tuesday