The San Francisco call., 1910-08-25
BURNS BROUGHT
NO word At ALL
FROM ROOSEVELT
Story That Former President
Urged Indictment of E. B.
Perrin Is a Myth
Police Judge Weller Will Be
Asked to Explain His Per-
sOnaI Activity


& iao come from oyster Bay and that
me president wanted Perrin and Ben
son convicted" was an important de-
NeioPment at yesterdays session of
senator stones investigation into the
administration Of the criminal law by
federal officials.
a sensational allegation made was
t-iet Police Judge Charles l. Weller
orother IN law Of Dr.. +. b. Perrin. at
tempted TO influence the opinion of z
p tlnley OF Sausalito, one of the fed
e'al grand jurors who indicted Perrin
ana John A Benson for land frauds.
oreman W. H. Grimm and T. B.
-Hiey OF the grand jury testified rela-
I've 10 Burns alleged statement. Fin
ley testified as to Weller's activity.
JUDGE WELLER INVOLVED
Did Judge Weller tell YOU not 10
md an Indictment asked United
Slsles Attorney Robert T Devlin Of
Finley.
IN general way" replied Finley.
ne expressed no opinion except that
Ae salo Perrin was a relative OF his and
ne would be sorry to see him indicted -
lnleE and Weller called on him two
O three times; he was sure one time
"hen The inquiry was pending.
Al the conclusion of Finlev's testi-
penaed-
Taking into consideration Finlev,s
resumony,' Devlin stated. Il would
suggest that d subpoena issue for
N-iaf-es j. Weller to see if any infu-
et!e vas used by the defense TO pre-
vent the Indictment of Dr. Perrin.
senator Stone ordered that the sub
pena be issued
The day was more or less replete
In, 2
Louis p Boardman. representing
ONaries j. Smell, asked the committee
10 investigate the actions and associa-
tohs and inspiration Of United States
Attorney Samuel Platt of Nevada who
vas assigned by Attorney General
W lckersham 10 come TO San Francisco
ana procure the Indictment of Charles
p Smell for perjury alleged 10 have
been committed in connection with the
Ferrin- Benson case. Senator Stone
ruled that the scope Of the investigat
ing dld not include taking up matters
eAUraneous 10 the pending INQUIRY
Fiatt invited fun investigation of
his acts.
Hunt WANTED BURNS ARRESTED
George c. Hunt the former inspector
o. the general land Office, did not pass
lhe day IN complete retirement and
ease, Tor United States Commissioner
James p Brown TO whom Hunt he'd
Sppiied futilely for a warrant for the
arrest Of William J. Burns. declared
tnat Hunt had represented himself AZ
tne time as the representative of United
6lates Attorney Platt. and had not told
Brown that he had on the previous dav
applied 10 the United States attorneys
once Tor assistance in preparfney and
presenting the complaint. Hunt cross
questioned Brown in an effort 10 break
the directness Of the latter's testimony
but without avail.
An interesting feature Of the dav
was the killing Of the legend of xhe
Perrin case that President RooseSelt
Eent word through William r Rurns
70 tne federal grand jury to indict Per
rIn and Benson 1t was that tale that
was believed 10 be largely responsible
Tor the organization OF this committee
70 Investigate the administration of
criminal law by federal officials. IT
was believed that the committee. which
was inspired by the reactfonaries and
stsndpatters in congress. wanted TO
bring some maladministration up close
TO Roosevelt.
". H. Grimm. foreman Of the grand
jury that indicted Perrin and BENSON
andl +. B. Finley a grand Juror. were
the witnesses who killed the goose
that laid the egg which hatched the
senate committee. Grimm testified that
William J. Burns did not state to the
jury that he had come from Oyster Bav
or from President Roosevelt or that
the president wanted the Indictment of
Perrin and Benson, but that Burns sim
ply said that the president had said
that he was anxious 10 have land
grabbing stopped" or words TO that
effect.
DID NOT POUND TABLE
Burns had spoken TO the jury to the
effect that Benson was great rascal
md ought to be indicted" but had
made no mention Of Perrin. Grimm
said that some time within the last
six months Barclay Henley. counsel for
Perrin. had interviewed him and
learned Of that testimony. Grimm told
senator stone that Burns had not
bounded the table with vehemence
and denounced Perrin as a crook
Finley testified that he did not re-
member Burns making any reference
10 the president or Oyster Bay.
some comedy was supplied during
Ire afternoon when Devlin called Bar
CLAW Henley to the stand. Devlin estab-
shed the fact that Henley knew that
had not conveyed to the grand
-urN any Rooseveltian inspiration for
49, iDdictment of Perrin ands Benson
Henley said that he had no recollec-
ION Of the Perrins having made such
q statement in Washington, but he said
tbaf he also had no recollection of
l-az-ing told Doctor Perrin, Robert II.
perrin or L. 6. Williams Of his discov-
cry.
pxeHANGE OF PLEASANTRIES
Henley and Devlin exchanged pleas
srtries particularly on Henley's state
,,-ant before the judiciary committee in
vzraelington that at the time Perrin
r-se convicted there was in San Fran
49,, : period of reckless and indis-
.5,,fnafe accusation, desire TO con-
wet.
I.esgue OF Justice supporter or Fran
Heney and believed Calhoun
.,.flfv2'' said DeVhn-
charles P. Smell was called as a wit
,ess but probably VIII not testify-
--i+ed states Attorney Platt made
eo-r,sl objection TO Shell testifying
ling the decision on indictments of
aerfury. and Attorneys Boardman and
g.+ sc1lesinger for Smell asked that
- given until this morning to
aeeide whether they would have Smell
festffy. ,,--.,.. .-.,s..s