Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-15
BUNKERS SCORES
FELLOW BOODLERS
DECLARES HE WAS DESERTED
BY THEM
REASON WHY HE CONFESSED
Declares He Told the Truth Because
They Did Nothing to Aid. His
Wife and Child When
Trouble Came
REASON WHY HE CONFESSED
BY Associated Press.

rOuple NdnS
By Associated Press.
SACRAMENTO, Sept. 14.-Forgetful
of the restraint he had hitherto exer-
cised; forgetful, apparently of his pre-
dicament and surroundings; realizing
apparently that his voice, scarcely
audible before, was filling the court
room with it's volume, Harry Bunkers
furnished the feature of this mornings
session in telling Attorney Grove l..
Johnson, under cross examination, why
he had decided to make the confession
which he has made of the Emmons
trial legislative sensation.
His attitude was full Of wrath as he
denounced his alleged associates in
bribe-t taking. His eyes blazed and he
leaned forward from the witness chair
as he said:
II was deserted by my friends-the
men who called themselves my friends
and promised to stand by me-who
promised to take care of my wife and
child. 1 heard that Senator Emmons
and his wife were in San Francisco.
they did not go near them. My wife
was working her hearts blood out and
they did nothing. That's why 1 done
it."
There was nothing of the prison air
about Bunkers during his utterance.
He looked rather the avenger, and tho
defense seemed to shrink back under the
unexpected TRADE. But moment later
Bunkers had himself under restraint
and only when he promised that he
Gated did he again allow his feelings
to get the upper hand.
Bunkers finished his confession and
the prosecution finished its examina-
tion of him within fifteen minutes after
court had convened. His statement
was as follows:
Bunkers' Statement
"On Monday, after our first talk
about investigating building and loan
associations, Jordan told me there would
be three companies to be taken care of
per $500. On Tuesday he said one had
dropped out and that two must be
taken care of for per $3.50 to each sena-
tor. The companies mentioned were
the Phoenix, Renters, and the Pacific
States companies. That was the under
standing l had with Jordan. We were
not to issue any subpoenas for the
Phoenix, and if we had to, we were TO
return a favorable report According
to the proposal of Jordan we were to
protest per $500 apiece, the three COM
panies named.
Before the first meeting of the COM
mittee 1 had a conversation with EN-
mons at his desk. 1 told him Jordan
had said he would be able to bring up
something good for us. He said there
was nothing to it; that was what he
liked to hear
According to Jordan the Phoenix
and Renters companies remained in.
We were to do anything he wanted us
to do; either to fail to issue subpoenas
or return a favorable report"
"Take the Witness" said District At
torney Seymour and there was a buzz
of excitement as Grove L. Johnson be-
gan the cross examination.
In answer to a rapid fire of questions
from Mr.. Johnson, Bunkers admitted
that he had been on trial in the same
court on a charge of bribe taking.
Bunkers In Awkward Position
Were your answers the same on that
occasion as on this?" was asked.
mo"
"At which time. then, did you commit
perjury-at that time or this?" inquired
Mr.. johnson.
Bunkers did not reply until Attorney
Jones had entered an objection to the
question whereupon Mr.. Johnson said:
"This witness is not feeble-minded; +;
not under the influence of narcotics;
he has education and intelligence
enough to be a state senator He
knows better than any one else on
which occasion he committed perjury"
The court overruled the objectit , and
the question was repeated.
Bunkers shifted uneasily in his seat
and finally said:
1.-THE way explain it is that I told
the truth this time, and told a lie the
other time"
"Then you committed perjury the
other timer" thundered the attorney
for the defense.
"Mr. Jones objected to this question
as insulting and no answer was re-
quired.
Mr.. Johnson, addressing the court,
said:
"I now ask the district attorney to
file complaint against the witness
for perjury. AS citizen of Sacra-
mento I will swear to that complaint" )"
Bunkers grew a shade paler at this
but the court ordered the cross-ex-
l. t.,