The herald., 1897-12-21
ALL LIED
BUT WEBB
At Least He Says So on
the Stand
HIS PART IN THE SCANDAL
TOLD IN HIS OWN WAY WHILE
UNDER OATH
HIS PART IN THE SCANDAL
According to His Statement Not One
Witness, on the Other Side Told
the Exact Truth

| Walter l.. Webb has told his story of
the school board scandal. From 1880
until 10 o'clock last night he was on the
witness stand at the investigating ses-
sion of the board Of education. He went
into detail in his explanation Of the
charges that have been made against
him. He tried to explain everything,
but his defense consisted of a general de-
NAL of all that has been said against
him. 1t was to have been expected that
he would deny what Axtell and Adams
had sworn to, but when he carried his
denials to nearly all the material state
ments of all the other witnesses, and, by
inference, at least asserted that all Of
action created some surprise and much
comment among those who heard his
testimony.
II all Of his story, as he told 1t last
night, Is to be believed, word for word,
every witness who has preceded Webb
on the stand has stated at some time in
the course of his or her examination
something that Is not true. AS to Axtell
and Adams the defendant swore that
they had lied, but with reference to the
other witnesses he did not make so broad
an assertion, contenting himself with
the statement that they had been mis-
taken" Either Webb Is as monumental
liar as ever took an oath, or he Is
man who has been more maligned than
any other person on record.
In point Of self-control and compos-
ure he made an excellent witness
Throughout the examination he never
once lost his temper, but answered all
questions promptly and decisively. He
Is only half-through. however, for there
was not time to begin the cross-exam-
nation, and tonight the attorneys for
the prosecution will take him in hand
and endeavor to show the inaccuracies
and Inconsistencies in some of his state
ments. The session, therefore, promises
to be lively one, and 1t remains to be
seen how we'll he will stand up under
the cross-flre Of questions that will be
put to him without number and without
any mincing OF words.
For the first time since the investiga-
LlOn OCGclH OHCCkOt bc1l IiCtt w do AAl at
tendance. His presence was suggestive,
in view of the fact that he had absented
himself from oil the former session,
when the evidence against Webb was
being heard. So significant was this
that at the opening of the session Judge
Phillips called attention to Bartlett's
presence 1--WE would like to know" said
the Judge, whether 1t Is Mr. Bartlett's
intention to hereafter attendthe sessions
Of the board. and whether ct the conclu-
sion Of this matter he expects to vote
upon the final result?"
II most certainly do intend to vote on
this" said Bartlett.
THAT being the case, there Is some
thing want to say about It," said Judge
Phillips. 1T seems peculiar, to say the
least, that Mr.. Bartlett should come here
at the eleventh hour and sit as a juror
when he has not heard word of the
evidence on the other side. I would sug-
gest, and we think it but fair, that when
the vote Is taken on this matter, It be
at such a time as will be convenient for
Mr.. Braly to attend and vote also on the
matter, even If day session is neces
sary."
Attorney Meserve said that the de-
Tense had no objection to offer to vote
of the full board. He suggested that
it might be the intention Of Mr.. Bartlett
to read the transcript Of the evidence
taken thus far. Bartlett asserted that
he intended to have some person read the
evidence to him. He said his eyes
troubled him so much that he was near
ly blind. His purpose in having some
70 h 70 bov Vxyit-
ness who would swear to the matter.
Mr.. Gibbon announced that ex-Di-
rector Adams would not be present. He
said that he had gone to Adams house
early in the evening with carriage,
to bring Adams to the council
chamber. He found Adams sick in bed,
much too Ill to leave his house. 1t could
not be stated when he would be able to
appear. as he is suffering from what
may develop into case of pneumonia.
This was disappointment to the de-
fense, as they desired to continue their
cross-examination of Adams. They re-
fused to act upon Judge Phillips sug-
gestion that an adjournment be ordered
until Adams could appear. 1t was stated
that II Adams was able to testify after
the other witnesses had been heard he
would be heard again then. Upon the
inquiry of Mr.. Meserve as to the possi-
bility of securing the presence of Frank
Savage. the broker, Mr.. Gibbon said he
thought he would be able to secure Saw
ages evidence before the grand jury by
this evening.
WEBB TAKES THE STAND
Webb, the defendant, then took the
stand to give his side of the story. His
attorneys made him relate much of his
since he came to Los An
geles. thirteen years ago, and in re-
sponse to their questions he told of his
several business ventures here and Of
his election as member Of the board
Of education.
Beginning with the charge Of Webbs
having received the Cooper money, At
torney Meserve took up each phase of
the case and by his questions touched
upon every point that had been brought
out by the evidence Of the prosecution.
He started by asking Webb when he
had first heard Of Janitor Cooper, and
In response to, questions the defendant
stated that the first time he had ever
heard there was such a man was a day
or two before the present Investigation
started. He had been sent for by Mr..
Conrey. who showed him the affldavits
that were first filed in the case against
Axtell and Adams. Up to that time