The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-11-09
Says Rumors of Bribery
Must Be Set at
Rest.

IN order 10 set IL rest certain
rumorn rcflectlug upon his official
honesty. Judge Milo a. Root " tho
state supreme court has demanded
that thorough investigation be-
made When the rumOra first
reached his ears, he Immediately
characterized them as false. but 40
they Increased IN volume he finally
conferred with bis associates and
through them made his demand for
an investigation. Chief Justice
Hadley promptly prepared q letter
which be addressed 10 j B Bridges
Of the state bar association, asking
that the association conduct the in.
yeHtigation
The association has taken prompt
action aud q committee. consisting
Of John u Powell Of Seattle. chair
man. Harold Preston OF Seattle.
Judge r L. stiles ~ Tacoma. X G..
Hudson Of Tacoma and ". NJ.
Stephens OF Spokane has been APP
pointed by Mr. Bridges 30 look thor
oughly into the matter and make
full report of It's findings 10 the
association.
Charges In Campaign.
During the campaign J W. Rob.
lnaon 81 Olympia made public
charges Of improper conduct against
Judge Root Positive denial Of
them by Judge Root sufflced 10
satisfy his colleagues on the bench
al the time. aud no Investigation
was made
Since the news 81 a shortage ia
the accounts ~ Judge Gordon. late
attorney NJ Spokane for the Great
Northern. was made public. there
have been whispers that the money
alleged 10 have been taken by Cor.
don WAS used az least IN part 10
pay Judge Root 70 influence his
decisions Ia certain railroad cases
up 20 the supreme bench on ap.
peal Judge Gordon. when inter.
Viewed recently concerning the al
legged shortage. admitted that money
given to him 20 settle judgments
had not been spent for that purpose.
but said II had been used other
wise In railroad matters.
Judge Hsdlsy's Letter.
The letter which Chief Justice
Hadley has addressed 10 President
Bridges Of the bar association is
az follows;
~Tion. Milo A. root. one Of the
associate Judges 81 the supreme
court u The state u Washington.
has. 81 his own motion, made Ger.
tain statements 10 ali the Judges ~
said court. while IN an assembled
capacity. % the effect that bis In
teKrity ~ man and a. Judge
has been assaulted ~ certain per
cons. Tho charge him with having
corrupfiy solicited and accepted
money to influence hia decision On
cases which have been before this
court The charges, attflbutinK 20
him az they 90 conduct ~ a highly
criminal nature. are such a. vii
seriously impair his usefulness a.
: Judge unless II shall be ascertain
- that they are false Judge Root
fmphattrhilF denies their truthful
ness and asserts that they are un-
auaiifivdiY false he requests Ms
associates % take such steps a. they
may deem proper In the premises
% the end that the truth may be
known.
Trafh IL Desired.
1t ts the desire % All - Judge
Roots associates IN this court that
there shall be no delay in eudeaV-
oriuE 20 discover the truth wieh ref
srance 60 these charges n Judge
Root is guilty ~ 80 grave a crime
he should be promptly brought 20
punishment. and " De Ia not guilty
he should be speedily eKonsrated
and his traducers a. speedily
riisnced
my way q Initiating an investi-