The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-04-14
.CR00KSTON MAN !.
WAS SUbPOENAED
j. P. Dotson of the Times Will
be Witness in League
Inquiry

Washington. April 14.-Referrink to
the grand jury presentment against
him for libel as d c0iniep opera 'indtct-
ment, declaring that the Merchant
Marine league Of the United States had
never spent five cents on ssdy tone in
Washington fof1 any purpose, and that
Its record was extraordinarily clean,
John A. Penton of Cleveland, Ohio,
secretary of the league, was today.s
star witness at the ship subsidy in
vestigation. He was called sharply
to account by counsel for Representa-
tive Steenerson (who accused him of
the libeD, for speaking disrespectful-
ly of the processes of the law and the
remark was withdrawn.
The committee adjourned until Nom
day when Penton and John M. Max
we'll, former editor of the American
Flag, the leagues organ, will be ready
to take the witness stand. Harvey D.
Goulder of Cleveland, the only other
witness today, told of Captain John
Mitchell and d. r. Hanna, Goulder's
intimate friends, contributing $500
each to the league.
Penton told of the organization of
the league and declared that 1t had
gotten SO that man engaged in the
ship building industry had to enter
Washington by night and his visit was
interpreted as necessitating a call for
the police.
II have never endeavored to become
acquainted with members of congress
for the purpose of attempting to in
fiuence them," he said; never at
tempted to 60 to their houses; never
had any communication with any ship
building company, or officers of any
organization operating ships, that had
any legislation that might be benefited
by this legislation. Yet, do not know
why should not have done so. Dur
ing the consideration the tariff bill in
congress everybody interested sin any
thing from tin whistles to baby car
riages, were in Washington daily seek
ing concessions"
Mr.. Penton said he wrote the article
in the American Flag which figures
so conspicuously in the libel proceed
ings brought against him by Steener-
son.
The Penton reply, as published in
the leagues organ on December 1,
last, gives to Steenerson some of the
honor and credit of our present hu-
initiating naval position" says Steen-
erson was either uninformed or mali
cious and ''guilty of deliberate and
malicious falsication." and called him
an enemy to his country, along with
other sharp characterizations.
]. p. Dotson, editor of the Crooks
ton, Minn.. Times, has been SUBJ
poenaed to testify next Thursday.
A fight to call Representative kus-
termann of Wisconsin as witness.
was sprung by counsel for the league.
Kuste rmann and his counsel said it
was unfair that the charges having
been made by the league against
Steenerson and Kustermann they be-
ing quasi defendants were entitled to
have the league offer proof of it's
charges before they took the stand.
Attorney Worthington replied that he
purposed to prove the leagues charges
by Kustermann. The committee re-
tired into executive session to con-
slider the matter.
The committee decided adversely to
the league, saying Kustermann and
Steenerson could not be forced to take
the stand "at that time" against ad-
vice of their counsel.
Penton identified letters the league
wished introduced as evidence. Among
these was one from Steenerson to E.