The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-05-18

ton, I am going to tell you about it
here.
It all came about because two Cali
fornia house members are on opposite
sides in controversy over bill to
establish the John Muir-Kings Canyon
National park near Morgan Hill in Cali
fornia. This bill was introduced by
Congressman B. w. Gearheart of the
Ninth congressional district. His col
league, Representative A. j. Elliot of the
adjoining Tenth district, strenuouSly
opposed the proposal, charging that it
actually, but secretly, was sponsored by
big private waterpower interests and in
volved grab of public property fol. pri-
vate use.
Apparently Congressman Elliott sus-
pected the power interests of crooked
tactics in this connection and he was
hoping desperately for an opportunity
to expose their works. What must have
looked to him as an extraordinarily lucky
break occurred when wealthy Morgan
Hill woman, an enthusiastic hacker of
the park proposal, in writing to the two
congressman on the subject, by mistake
put 500 check to Gearheart into the
Elliott envelope.
The latter pounced upon this as prima
facie evidence that Gearheart was &C
cepting cash contributions for introduc-
ing and supporting the park bill. He
showed the check to some of his col
leagues in congress as direct proof that
corrupt methods were being employed
and that Gearheart was the tool of
special interests in this connection.
PhotoStatic copies were made of the
check and sent back to California to be
used as evidence that all was not what
| it should be in connection with the park
proposal sponsorship. 1t was then re-
mailed to Gearheart with a California
poStmark
But the scheme failed When the
check came into Gearheart'S hands, he
promptly returned it to the donor
Gearheart is an able and high grade
man, whose integrity has never been
questioned.
After spending almost an entire SeS-
sion airing the matter, the house ap-
parently came to the conclusion that
Elliott's efforts to discredit his colleague
had gone very much haywire. It proved
to be just one of those things that bob
up ever so often to lend little variety
to what otherwise would be very hum
drum life for the lawmakers.
Diverting though this little exhibition
of congressional courtesy of one Solon
trying to nab another with the goods
might have been, there was what
amounted to quite sensation in the
testimony which slipped in about In
terror Secretary IckeS' activities in this
park project. 1t was brought out that
the secretary was most solicitiouS about
its conSummation and was using every
influence he could to bring about
favorable action by congress. He even
called Congressman Elliott to his office
and personally urged him to cease his
opposition, even promising to come to
California and campaign in the con-
greSman's behalf if he feared that
changing his attitude might jeopardize
his chances for reelection.
Here is Elliott's own version of what
took place in Ickes' office as quoted
from the Congressional Record:
ION the 18th day of March I was
called down to the department of in
terror by MIR. Ickes. He said: L guess
you know what asked you to come
for I said, no sir, I presume the Cen
trail Valley water project No he an
swered, 1T is the park BILL I replied,
Mr.. Ickes, my people do not want the
park bill He said, That is what you
think; but your people do want the park
bill Then he informed me that he
held the strings to the money bags and
II did not withdraw my objections,
would not receive certain favors in my
congressional district"
Mr.. Elliott also referred the house to
statements attributed to Secretary Ickes
on this controversy on a visit to Cali
fornia in February this year.
IF you give me the park bill, 1 will
support the $25 1000, 900 Pine Flat dam:
in other words, You have got to trade
with me if you expect to get what you
n Y7f IN,