The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-17

The police commission will not be
long In deciding whether John b.
Nash shall be purged of contempt.
and whether he was intimidated INTO
fleeing from the city.
This point was made with empha-
sis this morning by Chairman WIZ
liam II. Luther. who was at his desk
promptly at 10 o'clock. his usual
time.
when asked II the board would reach
q decision before the middle OF next
week. Chairman Luther said: Il don't
think we shall take that long"
Asked ~ II was likely TO announce
its conclusion this week, he said: Il
could not say as 10 that. We shall
testimony. which is not yet in shape
for us. After II is made ready we
shall not be long"
The commissioner could not say
whether the testimony connected with
the contempt phase OF the case be-
fore the press was admitted TO the
hearing would be given out; but that
IS immaterial 10 readers OF the News
Democrat. who have already been APP
prised OF its substance through the
exclusive story printed In great detail
on Saturday, May 3.
The commissioner also declined TO
say whether all OF the testimony given
at all the hearings held in the Cristy-
Matthews controversy would accom-
pany the decision on the contempt
phase.
THAT is matter for the whole
board 70 decide" he said, "and we have
not yet considered the subject"
AS there was no meeting OF the board
today, and none has yet been called for
tomorrow. the decision Is not expect
ed before Saturday at the earliest: and
-there Is a possibility that IL may not
be given out until later.
HEARING MAY RE REoPENED
No member OF the police board can
be induced 10 say what the boards
decision may be; but there appears TO
be a popular impression. gathered
chiefly from the arguments presented
yesterday and the state OF public opin-
ion. that the hearing will be reopened.
The commissioners are on record as
not desiring to shield anybody or TO
cover up anything.
Chief Matthews has said that ne
courted the fullest investigation.
Mr. Cristy and Mr.. Nash have been
endeavoring. by every means In their
power. to have the hearing reopened.
The police board, therefore, IL IL
should decide not to reopen the hear
ing. might possibly create the Inn
preston that II had disappointed all
parties TO the charges and changed it's
own mind.
The hearing could be reopened it Is
argued. without prejudice TO anybody
concerned. There seems TO be alb
solutely no new evidence to present,
in substance. II not I'm form, and prob
ably but one or two days more would
be- required TO end the case.
here are reasons both ways, when
on9 considers the probable result Of
the entire trial; but a significant straw
may be gathered here and there.
Only last Sunday. Rev. l.. L. Henson
IN a powerful sermon, demanded that
no 'whitewashing' be done He de-
clared that no innocent man desired
TO be whitewashed. and that the public
wanted no guilty man 10 escape. We
said there were many rumors afoat--
much smoke, in fact-and that there
might be fire.
Friends of Chief Matthews claim 10
be confident OF his acquittal, on the
conspiracy charges.
The chiefs enemies are not so con-
ndent. and among those who have fol-
lowed the case closely there is grave
doubt, and one OF the persons who
attended the hearing just closed said
today:
II firmly believe the hearing will be
reopened: and I regard that fact as
of striking Significance, though n does
not necessarily mean any more than
the board intends TO carry out its
pledge and get to the very bottom of
the case"
THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED.
More than 300 900 words were spoken
at the hearing on the contempt phase
OF the case and on the subsidiary issues
raised by the fight and return OF Nash.
who asked that the hearing be reopencd
after opportunity had been given him TO
purge himself OF contempt.
For the past two weeks. two matters
IL. t,Is .nI f,ff
have been under consideration-Nash'
story that he had been intimidated into
fleeing from the city and the indirect
charge by Rev. Mr. Cristy that persons,
presumably acting In the interest Of the
chief OF police had been responsible for
the intimidation of Nash.
II was upon these two questions that
the board OF police commissioners closed
the hearing yesterday. without touching
the main lssue-the conspiracy case I'm
which the chief OF police is the defend
ant
While protesting 90 believe that his
cause was so strong that he need fear
nothing Nash OF Nash's friends could do
or say and that he courted the fullest
ir.vestigation. the chief ~ police has
fought tooth and nall every effort 10
have the hearing reopened.
Using the officers OF the department
under his control. he has brought wit
nesses from far and near 20 prove that
Nash was gambler. that he had been
convicted In other cities Of kidnapping"
and OF conducting a lottery. that he was
q man without truth and veracity worthy
of notice. and that no intimidation had
been exercised by anybody but that
Tashs own conscience had caused him
60 "skulk from the city when he learned
OF the formidable array OF witnesses that
had been gathered together by the chief
OF police.
On the other hand. Messrs. Canning
and Rice. attorneys for Mr.. Nash and Mr.
Cristy. have sought 10 show that Nash
has told a Straightforward story and
proved by his wife and some of the chiefs
witnesses a measure Of intimidation.
The chief himself had testified 20 clos
ins Nashs flower stand the day follow