New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19
Takes Up BalIineer Case.

ADIOntl INOOStNtll iIc!I lOOh up tllt tHdISt
that he had refused TO prosecute the In
ternational Harvester Company, making
much the same statements in this connec-
ton as in previous speeches.
The colonel's reference to the Ballinger-
Pinchot case was his first extended dis
cussion OF this case In his campaign. He
asserted that Mr.. Taft supported MI Bal
lnger against every honest official in the
Interior Department. and especially against
Clifford Pinchot and Louis CLAWS" He
added
CLAWS put into the hands If the Pres-
dent a detailed report showing that the
Cunningham claims were fraudulent. as
every one knew and now admits that they
were Mr.. Taft did not read the evidence
In the case, and he actually placed the de-
cision OF the case in the hands OF Ballinger
and signed the letter. prepared by Attorney
oscar LAWYER In Ballingers office, which
whitewashed Ballinger and directed the
expulsion of CLAWS from office.
In this letter Mr.. Taft stated with the
utmost clearness that his decision was the
result OF his own personal reading Of the
whole record. statement which was con-
trary to the fact.
When the Senate voted an inquiry on the
subject and Mr.. Taft realized the political
Importance of having the public remain
ignorant that the Whtewash letter had
been drafted in Ballineer's office. and that
January g. 1910 he answered the peoples
demand for information as expressed by
the Senates resolution
He deliberately suppressed the Lawler
memorandum. upon which MS decision was
based, and sent TO the Senate In it's place
a brief signed by Attorney General Wick
ersham, dated two days prior to the Prcs-
dents decision OF the case in September,
was actually prepared.
Accuses Mr.. Taft.
IL was afterward discovered ana proved
before the INVESTIGATING committee by Louis
j. Brandeis that this bricf, put IN evidence
BY the President before the Senate of the
United States as the basis OF the decision
rendered by the Executive az judge in the
CLAWS Ballinger case, was not In existence
a. the time Mr.. Taft rendered his decision,
that at that time Mr.. Wickersham had not
even read the evidence; that the brief had
been written. after CLAWS had been retired
TO private life. 10 defend Mr.. Tafts unjust
decision.
In this case | hardly know whether most
TO reprobate the suppression and the per
version Of the fact on the cruel injustice
servants who were standing for the in
terest of the people, and whom Mr.. Tart
drove from their offices because they did
thus stand for the interest OF the people.
If MIR. Taft had been president OF a oank
and had acted toward the stockholders ana
depositors as he actually acted toward the
imminent danger Of having the matter laid
before the District Attorney.
Colonel Roosevelt said President Taft eX-
pected |Messrs. LOrimer. Penrosc, Barnes
and their associates" TO control the Chi
caeo convention and override the Will OF
the people But" he continued, II serve
notice on behalf Of the people that there
will be no tolerating by the Republican
party OF such action"
When he reached Marion, Colonel Rooso-
welt found the platform erected for him
had collapsed before he arrived Several
persons who were caught in the crush were
slightly injured, and three Civil War veter-
ans who were on the stand we're taken toi
a hospital
The colonel climbed 10 the top OF freight
cor and exclaimed:
couldn't stand on the platform because
the platform broke down. II wasn't my
platform. Mine won't break down
Colonel Roosevelts throat was in better
condition than yesterday, although it was
stlIi somewhat husky. He was under the
care OF a throat specialist from Columbus,
whom he asked to travel with him all day.