New-York tribune., 1905-01-18
THE HOOKER CHARGES.
BEFORE THE STATE BAR.
Investigation by Legislature Before
Com pelIing Tribunal FaUored.
rrv TELEGRAPH TO TEE rRIRrvEl

rrv TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBUNEl
,,,s,v Jan 1.-THE grievance committees re-
:. ~ charges preferred against Supreme Court
y.-f-e warren b. Hooker WAS presented to the
- yorl state Bar Association at its opening ses-
- ,,-5sv The question OF the approval of the
,-f VII be a special order OF the Bar Associa-
- "a o o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The charges
- ,,.- NJ certain acts Of Justice Hooker in con-
go with matters brought out by the postofflce
.-s-i~s.ion. The Jamestown Bar Association pre-
er..5 q statement embracing these accusations.
- asked the State Association TO sift the charges
= he end that the character OF the bench may
=. ,-ae5 from unjust sspersions II they are found
= be false. and that the bench may be freed from
: ,,-.vro-tav Judge II they found TO be true
~ o-r1r.frree's s report includes the communica-
- of rhe jamestown Bar Association. together
- an address by Arthur @ Wade in behalf Of
rrsa,e Hooker. and the various steps taken by the
.-.s,ance committee in its investigation. 1t pre-
,--s findings oC fact covering its inquiry in rela-
,- 70 the acts complained of, and states that the
..-te- had been referred 10 a subcommittee com
,s4s OF T. ". Huffcut. Robert O. Bascomb, John
nasn0nd 5 C. Huntington and Russell n John
s--r lie report concluded as follows: without
.vrbe- characterizing The above facts and circum-
sts-oes the subcommittee recommends that
lurther investigation be mad by the legislature be-
.ore a tribunal having compulsory process
In addition TO the sub-committee's report, Mr..
huntington one OF the members. adds that the
annual meeting of the association should attempt
- learn additional facts and whether additional
evidence is or is not obtained appropriate pro-
cs4sings should be had for Justice Hookers re-
--,ral from Office" The grievance committee, after
considering the report Of the subcommittee,
unanimously votes as follows.
Resolved. Taat the findings Of fact be approved
~ ~ grievance committee. and that, without pass
erb - 'Tesonarendstions together with the findings
n fact and al proceedings taken by and before
s55.acon il may deem proper
Rosuel p Moss. oS Elmira, offered resolution
--ovlding thar the report be considered q private
.-s oouf5entIal communication until the Bar Asso-
3s-ion had an opportunity 10 consider IL Judge
r-snkfr H. Danaher amended the resolution au-
.lr-7z-1E The secretary 10 issue copies OF the re-
nor 10 The press IL once Judge Danaher's reso-
luton prevailed. and The committees report was
distributed among tho newspaper men and the
usnbers of the association
SOME OF THE FINDINGS.
Tbe findings Of TACT reported by the sub-oommit-
ire include the following:
That prior 70 his aPpoinrment N Noyemhe7T 7Tl ISIS
vas AeTreseltatise ia congress- from me ne
so1eed--s ms appointment that district was with
an s teuTeSvl- and many people app!-ed 70
Justice Hooker 10 look after their a-airs IL F" ASH
lg-ol. -. xs - -, .s
Ers. Warren i. Hooker, me VIE OF Jesuee taooA OK
e. EtS5 borrowed money, was appointed al tne
kforer II The postOh5ce at Fredonia- at g salary
o S6p G. year, without any request from Lne posl-
t-rt7-rr al a Iab9rer in thar office; that n the
- following January Balls position was changed
= -to- ri 5}e~lr IN fle Fre55nia offce al the
SINE salary, and so continued 10 December 81, 1872
uToa The written request OF Justice Hooker, who in
u mean time had been appointed 10 The Supreme
court bench; that Ban drew tota- salary OF w.
& ID these positions, hut never rendered any
slbsts-llz3 IN run 10 the payment oI MS eeot
TIE committee further finds that Justice Hooker
secured said Balls appointment VII h0ut any reason
allie ground for believing his services We're needed
al S Ta5 FsII 95s+sSTss - Tstfc sJ I4a5e-s
wife and these facts and circumstances lead 10 the
conclusion thar Justice Hooker procured Balls
appointment enable Bali TO liquidate the inLabt-
Tne committee dnds that Justice Hooker. through
George y. Beavers then a POstoffice Department
Official, secured the appointment, in January 1902
q his nephew. Maurice Hooker sixteen years old
a a AooEe- - ne Ieoorla posioIllce, at q salary
q - year. that the appointment was needless
ana that young Hooker never performed any SER
llcs lhere similar condition IS alleged in con-
tfltlon with the appointment Of John A. Link
alleges that there were other needless appoint-
~ IJs n ne Freaonia Postofice, but says there is
With them.
HOOKER MAKES DENIAL
The committee quotes an explanation submitted
70 II oy Justice Hooker. IN which he points out
that me first lease was tentative and based only
Upon he plans O. the building; that the construc-
uan cost more than twice as much as had been
Gpecleo and that the application for increased
rental vas made fog that reason. Justice Hooker
osaieo that the government was ar q disadvantage
: me thlro lease or that IL acquired less space
hereunder To this denial the committee replies:
s,-sAce Hookers statement that the fair rental
go y lle premises leased 10 the government IS
- -5-Ls @ % O-lk--k that no witnesses were called
upon he S tsE me ro l9s 9or 1a8 8a at los 5ye 5
-- upon tle CITY tax roll FOR lsos al SseiJ
= member ci the grievance committee said TO-
--'snt mat while the entire committee had agreed
" Ie nna'-g OF facts made by the subcommittee
- was d diversity Of opinion as 10 what course
'le legislature would take. The sub-cornr7Ittee's
lle-lcal o1s = the report Is adopted to-nnor-
-e 70 ne sent 10 the Legislature without q D
IL - I c-ssIlr5val or -he full committee Y
49, 5Is-s-e-.-tr should ACT, this member said II
fhs -..eplO-ll e committee with power 70 compel
e--tE-.ailaT ~ witnesses. which authority the
h. ~ -alf-ec = rs expected that large num-
no. i-'s VIII take part IN the discussion
- tt a0ts complained OF took place be-
No. Ss-lce Hooker assumed judicial Office there
la - ne l1pe6 1-renr proceedings The leg1s-
--.--- --HeLer -r-.-r al-t-rta.. c--cr,a,t 80