Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-11
Political Yarn About Con-
troIIer Bay Falling Flat,
Nothing 10 Show Charles Tail
Tried 10 Influence Brother
In Behalf Of Navigation Interests
on Alaskan cossi.

Washington. July 10.-The story OF
a vanishing letter, both addressed and
signed "Dick' from Richard S. Ryan
of New York, to Richard A. Ballinger.
then secretary of the interior, pur-
porting to show that Charles F. Taft
influenced his brother, President Taft
to forward the alleged effort by the
Guggenheim interests to acquire Con-
troller Bay, the only outlet for large
coal fields in southern Alaska. figured
in a congressional inquiry begun to-
day.
The testimony before the House
committee on expenditures in the in
terror department and statements by
the White House and by Charles p.
Tafts office failed to lift the mystery
shrouding the alleged letter. Com
missioner bennett of the general land
office. the only witness today. testified
that he knew nothing of it and that
he would not necessarily know of its
existence Such letter was not re-
called in any other quarter, and it
was not to be found in the files, though
Miss M F. Abbott, a newspaper writ
er, who will testify later. SAYS she
copied such a document from the Off
cial files. President Taft has express
ed confidence that his brother never
communicated with him on the sub
ject. either orally or in writing.
Miss Abbott probably will appear
before the committee Wednesday
Commissioner bennett testified today
that some time between the framing
of the first draft and that of the final
order opening the Controller Bay lands
to entry. the usual provision was
eliminated which would have required
go days notice by any one intending
to file the lands He did not know
who struck 1t out. but did not attach
much importance to that point. In
replying, however. to questions, he
said the effect of the omission would
be TO give advantage to those on the
ground who happened to know of the
order. II was explained later that this
order was given to the press at the
time.
Among the witnesses the committee |
will summon is Ashmun Brown. a |
Seattle newspaper man, who was priv |
ate secretary to Secretary Ballinger, |
and who. according to Miss Abbott, |
was present when she saw the alleged |
Ryan Ballinger letter.
Washington. July 10.-Secretary
Fisher today told President Taft that |
a careful search of interior depart
fnent records failed to show the letter
in which 1t was alleged that c. P Taft
used his influence in behalf of naviga-
ton interests in Alaska to secure con-
troll of Controller Bay.
Sec. Fisher also told the President |
that he saw the article written by /
Miss NJ. A. Abbott before it was print |
ed and remembered no such letter in
the article.
1t was stated al the White House to-
day that careful search of the files
OF the executive offices failed to re-
veal any record of letter to the |
PRESIDENT from Charles P. Taft con-
corning Ryan or bearing in any way
upon the Controller Bay affair
The most important development of |
the case by the House committee was |
the testimony of Commissioner DEN
nett of the general land office that the
claimants represented by Richard s.
Ryan of New York said to represent
the Guggenheimer interests, had bene-
htted by the omission of one provision
IN the final official papers.