New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-22
HOOKER HEARING AGAIN.
EXHIBITS SUBMITTED.
En-Postmaster Tells of Salary Paid
for No Service.
Ter TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Albany March N-With the submission of ninety
one exhibits copies of letters file in the Postofce
| Department in Washington and the actual exam
naton of witnesses the Legislative investigation OF
the charges against Justice Warren B. Hooker
before the Assembly Judiciary Committee began
to-day in earnest The documents submitted.
taken from the washington records. showed the
various appointments TO the Fredonia postoffce,
the compensation of these appointees and the
subsequent transfer OF several OF them to other
offices at Justice Rockers request
This the beginning of attempt ON the
part OF the counsel for the committee, Henry B.
Conan. TO show that Justice Hooker had used his
influence, with little Limitation, to the effort of
promoting the interests of his friends and OF per-
having business relations with him to the
disregard of the welfare OF the Postofice De-
partment and particular stress thrown on
his intimacy with George W. Beavers. now under
indictment for his connection with the postal
scandals
Justice Hooker's counsel, which included sew
eral new members. and consists Of Lewis z.
Carr OF Albany; John B. Stanchfeld, OF Elmira;
ex-Judge w. II. Goodrich. OF BROOKLYN: ex-Deputy
Attorney General w. n Kissellburgh and w. Il
Holt, of Buffalo, embraced every opportunity to
connect Beavers name with various transactions,
missing opportunity to emphasize this detail.
On the vital point, the share Justice Hooker had
In the appointment OF Frank P. Ball, Judge Good
rich suggested that no proof would be adduned to
indicate that Justice Hooker had gone further
than the desire to help the appointee, and that
Bah would not perform labor for his salary.
The Ball incident covered in detail by the
various exhibits which indicated IN accordance
with the contention Of the counsel Of the COM
mittee. that Justice Hooker had secured the ap
pointment of Ball as a laborer at the Fredonia
postoffice, and had subsequently had him advanced
to a clerkship at a salary of $3.50 A. R. Moore
the former Fredonia postmaster, was put on the
stand by the prosecution to establish the conten-
ton that Ball had never worked for this salary
TfoA - E,-It
been appointed came TO him Through department
letter. but that Justice Hooker had spoken to him
ABOUT wanting to see the young man get along.
Did Justice Hooker speak to you concerning the
appointment OF Ball?" asked Mr.. Conan.
Yes; he said he would like to have him appoint
ed" replied Moore.
Did Ball perform any labor or service in
the officer" continued Mr. Conan
This provoked a bitter objection from Justice
Hooker's counsel It was argued that it had not
been shown that Justice Hooker had secured Balls
appointment with any idea that he would not per-
I1L woFkt MI S4ah Go9{enoe9 tSt ne p9rRTsea
Mr. Moore replied
During my entire incumbency postmaster
Ball never rendered any service but always drew
his pay. / him couple Of times a month, but
An attempt 10 connect Justice Hooker with the
ness the declaration that he never saw the woman
but drew checks regularly to her order on instruc-
payroll to Washington. But the connection of JUS
tice Hooker with this case was not establIshed A
ployed laborer in the Fredonia postoffice. was
q coachran for Justice Hooker unsuccessful,
as Moore declared he knew nothing about the case
Moore was on the stand at o'clock. when adjourn
ment was taken and will be cross Examined by JUS
tice Hookers counsel tomorrow.
Among the documents filed a letter from
Justice Hooker to George w. Beavers, in which
the writer expressed the hope that the department
would its way clear to accept the suggestion of
Postmaster Taylor and appoint Maurice j. Hooker,
his nephew, to q position in the Fredonia post
office at a salary not less than $500. In another
the justice wrote to Beavers as follows; Thanking
you for the many good things you have thrown
my way" Still another contained the sentence;
Let Beavers appoint Miss Clark to the Fort Plain
postof1ce so she be transferred to Fres1onia.
Miss Taylor the niece of the, postmaster, who,
succeeded Moore. .-..