The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-18
Representative Hitchcock Brings Sensational Charges Against
 Secretary of Interior
GAVE HIS NEPHEW
 TOO MUCH MONEY
Charge Is Made that Part of Million Dollar Fund Was improperly Used in Paying Private Travel
 Ing Expenses.

Washington, January 17-Somewnat waning interest in the investigation or the so-caled Ballinger-Pinchot contro- yersy was quickly revived in Congress To- day by sensational charges against secre- tary Ballinger of the interior depart p,eut and other officials, filed by Repre- sentative Hitchcock democrat, of Ne- brasla. with the committee on expendi- lures in the interior department, and in- cidentally by the Senates adoption ot the investigation resolution agreed upon in conference The House will adopt the res olution tomorrow.
 The most important allegation of MT. Hitchcock is that funds of the interior department were improperly used in pay ing private travelling expenses of Secre- tary Ballinger's nephew. The secretary and other officials of the department will be subpoenaed before the House commit tee on expenditures to which MT. Hitch cocks charges were addressed.
 The affidavt was presented by MT. Hitchcock at a meeting of committee called to permit him to substantiate his charges of extravagance in the interior department. The committee decided to is- sue subpoenas on Secretary Ballinger. Commissioner Dennett of the general land office and all others interested in the charges, to appear as witnesses before the committee next Wednesday morning.
 The statement alleges improper use of the S1 100000 appropriation flor the pro- lection of public domain against frauds by the purchase of expensive furniture mounting into the tens of thousands or dollars, the erection of certain large brick chimney for a land office at considerable expense, the employment of some 80 ad- ditional clerks, salaries increased, and in one case at least doubled, out of this S1,00o,OO0 fund (citing the case of chief of the field service, Schwarz, as this in- stance); long telegraph bills which cover long extracts from the newspapers sent in by travelling representatives of the gem eral land office, selection of special agents not at all qualified, etc.
 Where Nephew Figures.
 The statement asserts that when MT. Ballinger became commissioner of the general land office, the position he held before entering the cabinet, he reduced the salary of Law Clerk Wright so that wright's 5000 salary could be given to Jack Ballinger his nephew, mot under the title of law clerk. but under the title created by MT. Ballinger's order of con- fidential clerk.
 q have been told Wright died of disap- pointment and humiliation soon there- after"
 Jack Ballinger remained year in the service the statement says, his manner of living about the time his uncle re- signed in March. 1908, being alleged to il- lustrate the reckless expenditure of the land office
 Tt was announced" the statement goes on to say, that young Jack Ballinger was leaving the land office to resume tho law practice in Seattle. Tn order that he might receive final rake-off he was des- 1gnated as special temporary inspector of offices, an eventful outrage on the treasury.
 This enabled him to draw travelling expenses from Washington to Seattle and per diem also. Within two weeks after he reached Seattle he resigned"
 Will Examine Employee.
 MT. Hitchcock suggested to the con- mittee that the following government employees be called to furnish specific information. explaining that The was persona non grata' with the interior de- pertinent, and adding the committee was in a better position to obtain the facts
 J. o. Yelverton, chief of division P
 
 ing Rittenhouse chief of accounts, gen. eral land office, concerning the purchase of desks, filing cases and other office furniture out of the million dollar fund; Frank Bond, chief clerk of the general land office, concerning eighty-odd clerks performing ordinary clerical duties not connected in any wise with the protec- ton of the public domain, though so paid.
 Concerning the office of chief Of the field service, occupied by H. H. Schwartz the statement alleges that that position was created for MT. Schwartz without warrant of law, his salary being raised from 5000 as special agent to $4200 as chief of field service or $7O0 more than his immediate superior, the assistant commissioner His messengers salary was raised from $7oO a year to $500, 1t is alleged.
 MT. Hitchcock suggested there were doubtless other excessive salaries and large expenditures paid out of this fund and recommended investigation of state ments made in anonymous letters to him that declared MT Ballinger's system of hes has ''so mixed, confused, befogged tho clerks files and records that there N now absolutely no one who knows aRything that appertains to the office and requiring over 100 clerks against 15 under the old system.
 Incapable Special Agents.
 Special agents. says MT. Hitchcock. have been selected from clerks at Wash ington who know practically nothing of the lands of the west or of fraudulent methods, nor of law. He cites partic- ularly the case of Howard l.. Wilcox, ap- pointed by Commissioner Dennett, MT. Schwartz's Endorsement of Wilcox rec ommending him as near dentist.''
 'T have been told az matter of fact, " added MT. Hitchcock, ''that the real req N
 xCoNEuUuD ON PAGH CD