Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-04-13
THE WITNESSES WANTED.

J A dispatch from Washington to bc
found on another page. lntimates that
President Joseph +, Smith stated dur
ing the recent investigation there, that
summoned or wanted 20 appear" and
upon that alleged statement he was to
be Informed that "the witnesses named
were wanted The witnesses named"
in the dispatch are John w. Taylor, j.
NJ. Tanner, Heber j Grant, Matthias
f. Cowley and Lillian NJ Cannon
In order that the facts may be un-
derstood, we win quote verbatim from
the official record of the proceedings.
MIR. Hyrum NJ. Smith having given his
testimony, he was excused both by Mr.
Tayler and Mr.. Van Cot and was dis
charged from further appearance The
printed record says on page jli, 49,
Mr.. Van Colt How Is Il, Mr., Chair
man, In regard to Mr. Joseph +. Smith?
The Chairman. | understand from
counsel, Mr., Smith, that your presence
VIII not be required further.
Mr., Joseph +, Smith Thank you, Mr..
Chairman
Mr. Tayler Let me ask Mr. Joseph +.
Smith question, as TO vii Their he
could get into communication with any
OF these Apostles who have been sub
p9naed and have not been recalled, and
whether any instruction from him
would facilitate their coming here?
Mr., Joseph L. Smith. / presume
could find them IN time, Mr. Tayler.
do mol know how soon | could find
them.
Mr.. Tayer | would he obliged II
you would give them such instruction
as you can that we want them as soon
as we can get them,
Mr. Van Colt, which ones, Mr.. Tay-
Ter?
Mr.. Tayler, John w. Taylor, George
Teasdale NJ. i, Cowley, John Henry
Smith. |r'f
Mr. Van Cot You know he is very
III, and that Teasdale is very IN?
Mr.. Worthington They have been
subppnaed, and are not here simply
because they are not well
Mr. Joseph +, Smith, Mn Merrill has
Nlrp Df'H SunptfHUtO,
Mr.. Tayler. / understand Mr.. Mer-
rill was quite III. or course a man who
is physically incapable of coming or
whose health would be affected by com.
Ing ought not TO be required to come.
II will be seen that President Smith
was spoken to about only two Of the
persons named in the dispatch and |
what he said concerning them was not |
IN the nature Of pledge for their ap- |
pearance. We are able to state, posi-
lively that he has done much more |
than that which was asked OF him con.
corning them, and that John w. Taylor
and Matthias f, Cowley have each de-
cllned to voluntarily go 10 Washing |
ton In response to ministerial inter-
ference, as they view 1t, with political
affairs In the case Of Senator Smoot,
and with their personal affairs as the
proceedings disclose as to other Wit
nesses. They do not propose to have
their family relations proclaimed
throughout the land through their own
act. unless under compulsion. Prest.
Smith has not as yet been able to locate
DIR j. NJ. Tanner and Is not under any
obligation TO procure witnesses I'm the
case before the committee,
The gentlemen named use their own
free agency In this matter and II isa
TO suppose that Prest Smith
has any power to compel them to take
any other course, although he has urged
them TO comply with the request for
their presence. The witnesses wanted
who are sick and have been sub
poenaed will have to be excused until
they are able 10 attend.