The Washington times., 1911-10-28
KALbFUS HEARING
EXPECTED TO CLOSE
EARLY NEXT WEEK
Attorneys Ready to Con-
clude Testimony With Six
More Witnesses.

As far as the examination of wit
nesses Is concerned. the Commission
ers are nearing the end OF the excise
board Investigation. Frank ]. Hogan,
attorney for Mr.. Kalbfus. and william
Henry White. assistant corporation
counsel, said today 1t was hoped to
conclude the hearings by Monday or
Tuesday. Only half dozen additional
witnesses are to be examined. It was
said, and as their testimony is of a
corroborative nature, the examina-
tfpn will not require much time. Com
missioner Rudolph expressed the opin-
Ion. that several more days may be
consumed in the hearings.
The Commissioners are going to the
bottom of things in this investigation" I"
he said. "and It will not be charged that
they have overlooked a single opportli-
nifty to arrive at the facts he said.
1t is generally believed. however. that
the hearings will be ended next week.
Announcement of the verdict Of the
Commissioners. according to Commis-
sioner Rudolph. probably will not be
made for ten days or two weeks. The
Commissioners. he said. will 20 over the
evidence carefully before arriving at
While the primary object of the
bearings is the Investigation of the con-
duct Of Samuel T. Kalbfus, the Com
missioners have gone carefully In the
granting Of liquor licenses, and It is
understood a number of changes in the
existing laws will be made at the next
session Of Congress
sioners will suggest methods Of reform
to the board, which may be accomplish
ed without legislation.
In the event that the Commissioners
fhn fhof
has been guilty Of incompetency, ne
glect of duty, or malfeasance in office,
two courses will be left open to the
ne will be requested to resign or his
dismissal will be ordered by the Board
of Commissioners.
The evidence presented will be sum-
med up In closing address by Mr..
Hogan. Mr.. White said today that his
present intention Is to leave the case
IN the hands of the Commissioners
The question Of funds is one which
the Commissioners are forced to con-
slider and Which Is responsible for the
desire on. their Part for an adjourn
The investlgauon already has cost the
District $500 in stenographers fees, and
l., paid from the appropriations for the
George T. Harper. a Georgetown sa-
loonkeeper. was the most interesting
figure on the stand yesterday afternoon.
frequently in the Investigation in con-
nection with saloon license granted to
Kim. Many witnesses, including Gran
dsl Maekey; Commonwealth attorney
exclusively regarding the Harper case.
Harper's testimony brought about an
other. Of the numerous clashes of the
day. Mr.: White was examining Har-
per on cross ss-examination about his re-
lations with a woman who is dead. her
name having been brought into the
hearing because Of Harper's relations
with her father
Attorney Hogan objected to the ques.
tions on this line. and served potice
that If quizzing of Harper on this
,heme were permitted he would so into
fun detail regarding the private life
of +. Oden Horstmann," calling a mum,
Der of witnesses who. Mr. Hogan says.
he has ready.
to ask a few more questions.
iourhed until Monday Commissioner
Rudolph ordered an executive session
discuss.
Harper denied directly the testimony
q William E. Payne Payne an agent for the
pute occurred about the time when
Payne says he held Harper up with
revolver to prevent Harper from an al
legged assault .,,,. With club, Harper's
Payne" he said land when I Just
waved my club at him Payne and the,
other two men turned and ran. Il
chased them about a quarter of mile
UP to the brewery
Tho witness also gave an entirely diff
fcrent account Of how Payne happened
only 'ons man. Davis. was with him
According to Harper. there were three
men u.
Harrrr admitted freely all tho facts
~ fn1
connection with his Alexandria county
record, but told with evident plea sure
how the police captain and others say
,,,.ua; have e, been rrnning good. orderly
As soon as Hahper was off the stand.
MIR. White called back Alexander Me-
Kcnsie. member CT the Excise Board |
Would YOU: after hearing Mr.. Harp:
such good moral character that he ought
I" ne granted q license?"
s"If / had just heard what he has had
to say now; ! should hesitate" Mr.. Nc
Well asked Mr.. Hogan. IF the
Commonwealth attorney Of Alexandra
county should recommend giving him a
70 the same effect and you had heard |
his testimony, too. what would you do.
grant the license or refuse it?"
When / said / rhould hesitate. after
Just hearing the mans own statement,
! did not mean that l would refuse
license nor that 7 would grant one. but
that would investigate further"
Other witnesses yesterday afternoon
were Joseph c. Ramage, who has been
financially Interested In realty deals
with Samuel T. Kalbfus, and r. NJ
Montague. an attorney who often has
been before the Excise Board Mr..
Montague swore he thought the Excise
Board was wrong occasionally but he
believed the board is ''unquesuonably
honest"
After this followed a hot exchange
between III. Prescott Galley, attorney
for r. Oden Horstmann and Frank H.
Hogan. attorney for Mr.. Kalbfus. Mr.
Hogan was trying to get Mr.. Galley to
waive his professional rights and duties
as an attorney and tell what he knew
about the present location OF the mem
orandum which Horstmann showed to
President Taft.