The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-19
LIE PASSED BUT
FIGHT AvERTED
Exciting Incident During Capt.
toll Graft Investigation
at Boise.
WHlTEWAY is DISCREDlTE0
SENATOR MAC6ETH STILL AFTER
ALLEGED GRAFTERS.
Especial to The Herald.D

tOD6Cldl " E1tA dAO-t
Boise. Ida, Feb. 1S.-The investiga-
ton into the charges against the cap
itol building commission, so far as the
senate state affairs committee is con-
cerned, came to an abrupt end at $3.50
today, following the most stormy ses-
sion of the committee. An exciting
climax was reached when the lie was
passed between Contractor A. S. White
way, the man who has stirred most
bitter feeling against him by his testi
mony charging prominent citizens with
attempts to extort money from him,
and c. A Elmer, private secretary to
former Governor Gooding. Elmer was
on the stand testifying in confederation
of Gooding's testimony Wednesday
evening, when the latter said White
way had sent a report to him and Of
fered him money if he would see the
state allowed his claim of $1,000 for ad-
ditional work on the Big Greek wagon
road.
The Lie Passed.
Elmer had been Intercepted by sew
eral, and Whiteway asked permission
to question him. Elmer could not re-
member the date on which Whiteway
told him there was something in it for
the governor if the claim was allowed
and Whiteway asked: LAS matter of
fact, Mr.. Elmer, are you not lying?"
NO, sir" holly retorted Elmer.
You're liar" challenged Whiteway.
Elmer stepped to his feet from the
witness chair and moved as fast as his
heavy body would permit toward
Whiteway, who stood on the other side
of -one of the senate desks. You are
liar, and you know it," shrieked Ell
mer.
Whitewsy Grabbed a Chair.
Whiteway moved back and, placing
himself behind one of the heavy desk
chairs, cIutched it in a menacing atti-
tude, awaiting the approach of the ser
geant-at-arms and his assistant and the
doorkeeper.
Members of the committee and one
of the commission under investigation
and others rushed toward Elmer and
| induced him to take his seat while As
sistant SeFgeant-at-aTms Taylor crowd
ed through between the desks to White
ways side.
| The excitement was over in a mo-
ment, the women gasped and several
who could find seats only at the desks
of absent senators started to beat a re-
treat
| fOommIttee OtS9uSteo-
While none of its members said so. it
was plain the senate committee was dis
gusted with the incident and the testi-
| mony adduced during the session. None
| of 1t tended to throw any light on the
| inquiry, except as it might have further
strengthened the statements of those
accused by Whiteway that he had made
numerous attempts to bribe private and
public citizens to obtain contracts.
Before the vote of the committee was
taken on the question of closing the in
vestigation. Macbeth stated that he
might desire to present matters on an
other phase of the investigation. and
that he would reserve the right to at
least bring these matters before the
senate as whole If they were not con-
sidered by the committee. Later Mac
beth said:
Macbeth Not Satisfied.
Several parties have told me of if
regularities that have not been mem
toned, but have refused to go on the
stand and testify to what they have
told me. If they can be induced to tes-
tify, I will try to have the investiga-
ton by the committee renewed. while
if that is impossible. and get the facts
I am after, I will tell the entire senate
about them
A movement is under way to cast
! Whiteway from the Masonic lodge
Several of those against whom he testi-
fled are members Of the order. MavoT
Haines being one of the highest in the
state. 1t is admitted by some of the
| accused that such a movement will he