The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-21
ODELL AND HIGGINS CONFER.
TALK OVER PROCEDURE TO BE
FOLLOWED IN HOOKER CASE.
The Governors PresenL Intention Is To
Have Nothing Else ACTED On at the
Special Session. Which Begins To-day
Tho Triunyirs Greet Their Chief.

ALBANY, June 2o.-Chairman Benjamin
B. Odell reached Albany at noon to-day.
He at once went to Speaker Nixon's room
in the Capitol. There Mr.. Odell met his
legislative triumvirs-Speaker Nixon and
Senators Raines and Malby--and they rem
dered to Mr.. Odell an account Of their
stewardship while he was in Europe. Then
Mr.. Odell unaccompanied went to the
Executive Chamber and approached Gov.
Higgins's private suite through the public
entrance. After the Governor and Mr..
Odell had had half hours chat they were
joined by Mr.. Odell's legislative triumvirs
and others for luncheon.
The main object Of discussion was the
procedure to be adopted in the Hooker
case at the extra session Of the Legis lature,
which convenes at noon tomorrow.
After luncheon Gov. Higgins and Mr..
Odell and his legislative triumvirs returned
to the Executive Cham Der, where the con-
ference was continued until after o'clock.
Mr.. Odell returned to Newburgh at O'Clock.
Gov. Higgins said that at the outset of the
conference he announced that his present
intention was not to ask the Legislature to
consider anything but the Hooker charges.
and the deliberations of the conference
were largely cOnIlneu TO tnlS question.
The Governor said that extra sessions
were called to consider matters of eXtraor-
binary importance only and not to consider
legis lation which had been defeated al the
regular session. However, he would not
say finally at present that he would or
would not ask the Legis lature to take up
any other question than the Hooker matter.
This was brought out in answer to an
inquiry as to whether the Legislature would
not have its attention called to the report
of Supt. Hendricks as the result of his in
vestigation Of the Equitable Life manage
ment.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee met
tonight and formally adopted the Hooker
charges, which have been prepared and
which will be submitted to the Assembly
tomorrow and adopted by that body by
evening. The charges then will be sent to
the Senate for adoption and referred to the
Judiciary Committee in that house.
1t is expected that that committee will
report on the charges so that they can he
adopted by the Senate on Thursday, when
NIT the serving of the charges upon Justice
Hooker and to afford him time to answer:
just how long recess will be taken will
depend upon Justice Hooker and his for
midable array Of counsel.
1t Is the general opinion that Justice
Hooker and his counsel will be ready to
proceed without unusual delay and that
they will agree that the testimony already
taken by the Assembly Judiciary Committee
may be read to the members of the Legis-
lature and that this testimony need not be
duplicated.
or course Justice Hooker can call any
number OF witnesses. and it Ia thought
that he will have some additional testimony.
Justice Hooker reached Albany to-day
but there were few members Of the Legis-
lature here tonight. Justice Hooker will
be represented before the Legislature by
John b. Stanchfield OF Elmira. Lewis f.
Carr of Albany, William W. Goodrich Of
Brooklyn. William E. Kisseiburgh of New
York and William B. Hoyt Of Buffalo. Mr..
Stanchfeld said tonight;
Justice Hooker's reply to the charges
is ready and we are ready to go ahead az
soon "a the joint judiciary committees of
the two houses adopt plan of procedure
and rules to govern the trial Of Justice
Hooker After that the trial should COM
mence and he finished within from four 10
six days. Justice Hooker will call witnesses
and put in additional evidence which will
take about day