The Washington herald., 1909-03-02
Public Demanded Action.


ington-
Public Demanded Action.
Calling attention to the fact that the
District Commissioner, the police de-
partment, the clergy. the local press. and
the public generally were calling for ae-
ton against the bookmake-s, Mr. Oar
iington asked Mr.. Baker why he stin
continued 10 consider his hands tied"
By a clever system OF questioning. he
led the district attorney TO make some
rather startling assertions.
Admitting he received q visit from the
superintendent Of police. ssking him 70
proceed against the gamblers. Mr.. Baker
said:
Maj. Sylvester came 10 me more as a
matter Of q joke. I believe"
7 object 70 this Die he tell you II
was a joEe?" asked counsel for the de-
fense.
I don't know. But the officers were
laughing as they came 70 my Office" re-
piled Mr. Baker.
Editorials Of The Washington Herald.
urging that action be taken AGAINST the
morning proceedings Extracts were read
IN court and they were intended to show
that the press Of the Capital was admon-
ishing the district attorneys Office for is
alleged inactivity. Mr.. Baker declared on
the witness stand that he and Justice
Stafford discussed some editorials, which
the justice thought were in contempt OF
court
EsT re--a- -, 49, - a. -
newspapers; never have, and never will
explained the district attorney.
Did Not Seek Evidence.
Asked by Mr. Darlington to state why
he did not get evidence against the book
makers in the November meet in 1907
Mr. Baker replied:
One reason was that I did not try. I
suppose that was the best"
In other statements the witness ad-
mitted he had consulted Samuel Ross. Of
the Washington Jockey Club. and told
him Il might be necessary 10 make some
sort OF raid Mr Baker also admitted
frankly that he took into consideration
the hundreds Of thousands OF dollars in
vested by the jockey club. In this re-
spect he said. he had followed the ex-
ample OF MS predecessors.
II I have varied one iota from my
predecessors I would Ike to know tt he
added.
In the crOss-examinstion, regarding the
political meeting in Rockville. which was
attended by Mr.. Baker and Judge Gould.
the witness said they had gone there TO
determine how 10 beat Brainard II. War
ner, who was then 2 candidate for Con
gress.
Counsel for the defense showed some
resentment al what he considered the
evasive alsWeTs Of the witness regarding
the disceSSS1S4 OF raising funds 70 run the
campaiE1 b15A he finally got him 70 say:
said I would put up some money 10
carry certain districts
Speaking Of The discussion on raising
campaign funds. Mr.. Baker said:
7 discussed It. I vii not say that
Judge Gould did
Mr. Darlington implied that this vas
gTatuitous Information. as the witness
had been asked nothing about judge
Gould.
CHuses MerrEment.
Referring 10 money paid BY Gist Blair
to James Purdum. who VIII probably. be
caused merTimeat by saying:
I am trying to decide whether I was
present or not when this money was
passed" ="
In the course Of his redirect examina-
fion- Mr.. Davis. Of counsel for the de-
fense, attempted 10 establish the fact
that the district attorneys hands were
completely tied at the time Of the Ben
Ming meet OF 1905, and that he would
have violated the Law had he attempted
70 arrest men who were carrying on bet
ting IN a manner which the court had
held was not illegal He likewise at
tempted 10 show that the articles IN
question were not legitimate criticism
or 4 public official. and were meant 10
impugn the integrity Of the district at
torney.
Assistant District Attorney Given tes-
tiled that he visited the Bsnning trsck