Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-28
MCLAUGHLIN CROss-EXAMINED.
Mr. Perry Submits Him to . Series Of Very
Searching Questions.

Mr. Perry Submits Him to . Series Of VERY
/ Searching Questions.
"This investigation reminds me of an attempt
to blow up the Capitol building with . fire.
cracker" said gentleman yesterday, referring
to the weather bureau inquiry. After The
| Stars report closed the cross-examination of
Mr.. Mclaughlin by Mr.. Perry was continued.
Mr.. Mclaughlin testified that he considered
the three cases Of Nicolls, Townshend and
Perry examples Of favoriteism by Prof. Har-
rington, and that the public service was ignored
| by such retention. The retention Of Townshend
after he had got drunk and in view Of his past
record was where especial favoritism had
! been shown him. Drinking, he explained,
was especially crime at the Pixies Peak station,
where for considerable periods one man was
left alone on the peak with the station work en-
| tirelv dependent upon HIM Witness thought
| Prof. Harrington showed especial favor to
! Nichols because Of Mr.. lockwood and for
| Townshend because Of Capt Townshend, who
had been especially loyal to the chief. This
| started Mr.. Perry another tack and he
| wanted to know if there was any question of
| loyalty in the Office. Mr.. Mclaughlin said
| there was talk and the chiefs exercised an
| Office. Witness testified that personally he had
always been loyal to the civilian organization.
THE CRANE AND NICHOLS CASES.
! NJ Perry then brought out that Mr.. Nc
/ Iaughlin had little ground for making the
charges in relation to Crane other than suppo-
sition. The examination extended at length as
i to why after Mclaughlin was sure In his own
mind of Nichols lncompetency he did not
! report the facts to Prof. Harrington. Mr.. Nc
Laughlin answered in substance that he was
| assured Prof. Harrington knew all the circum-
| stances. He had never received any orders.
| written or otherwise. taking the Nichols case
| from his hands.
Mr. Perry then recounted the steps and tried
| to find why. the two applications for promo
ton came from Crane. and as witness suspi-
| cions that something was wrong grew stronger,
| he did not then report the matter to Prof. HAIR
| riugton, but Mr.. Mclaughlin made evasive
answers.
THE CASE OF TowNSREND.
The cross-examina lion then branched off to
Titus Townshend. Mr.. Mclaughlin allowed
| that ne understood that Young Townshend had
performed heroic action b. sticking to his
POS: during the yellow fever epidemic. The
questions then branched to young Townshelds
applications fO- -eappolntment and the witness
testified that IN 81 he had tod Maj. Dunwoody
of Townshends record and Mai Dunwoody had
then refused TO appoint MIN. Speaking of tine
second appointment or application of Town.
shend Mr.. Mclaughlin told of the conversa-
TONS WIN capt. 1OWnSneDQ. the fatner OF
Titus. but denied tina. ne had ever told
Capt Townshend that he had shown Mai.
Dunwoody his sons record. in order to save
the major from criticism. The witness thought
lie had been nOn-commit.al is to whether he
would help young IowrsnsDd or not. He was
away when the appointment was made. Wit
7 TesS remembered having = conversation with
Prof. Harrington, in which the professor either
showed knowledge % Ioynsnrnds pas OF the
witness told him. Mr.. Mclaughlin cou.1 not
swear that the question OF forgery had come
uD IN the conversation. As nea- he could
remember Prof. Harrington had asked him
about Townsnend. and he had said that phvsi-
cally he was a good man. ard mentally so, If i.
had not been for his past record.
CONFLICTING TESTIMONIES.
Mr.. Perry then read from Mr.. McLauGhlin's
| direct testimony, where the witness had stated
that he thought he remembered distinctly
telling Prof Harrington OF the forgery and adj
vising against the appointment. Mr.. Perry
wanted TO know which of these testimonies
correct. and Mr. Mclaughlin SAID the testimony
given today. Witness uenied, however, tina: he
had recommended Iownshend and likewise
denied with emphasis that he had failed to re-
port Townshend's record in the hope that Prof.
Harrington would appoint him and get into
trouble thereby. He had never recommended
Crane promotion.
The Perry case was taken up and witness tes-
been guilty of timidity in reappointing Perry
on the urging of Senators Coke and Mills and
Representative Long. Witness had never had any
personal difficulty with Perry. Prof. Harring
ton had said several times that ne feared AL az
tack on the bureau and witness had surmised
| that the feared attack vas from Congress in
case Perry WAS not reinstated.
SOME QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED.
Mr.. Perry then questioned witness in regard
to the letters he had written to the Secretary of
Agriculture the 29th of March. The letter
was written at witness house and in ink.
Mr.. Perry-Where did you have this letter
typewriter?
Gen. Colby-You need not answer that ques-
tior.
Mr.. Perry-Row many copies did you have
made?
Ger. Coiby-You need not answer.
Mr.. Perry-To whom did you give copies?
Gen. Coiby-Iou need not answer.
Mr.. Perry-Then ask an adjournment until
tomorrow.