Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-05

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Omaha's politics as campaign manager for
the county for former Governor shallen-
berger, declared under examination that he
believed the recent elections in Omaha the
most corrupt in the history of the city. At
fairs he said, has been growing steadily
worse. Through his statement Edison Rich
attorney for the Union Pacific was called
TO give testimony concerning the use Of
blank affidavits for the purpose of swear
ing votes. The testimony of Mr.. Rich was
not exactly as fcrecasted owing to a mis-
understanding between Rich and Herdman
Mr. Rich, however observed the milling of
the professional free holders in the office
of the city clerk.
Rich Offered Affidnvita.
II can give no direct personal knowledge
Of fraud In the election" said Mr. Herd
man when called to the stand He was
pressed by Mr.. Prince for statements of
any reliable information he had received
bearing on the charges Of the inquiry
"one man told me he had been offered
blank affidavits"
who was hep
MY old neighbor, Edison Rich. He said
he had been offered a blank affidavit but
refused to use it feeling it was illegal. He
sworn in in the regular way.O
What is your opinion as to systematic
attempts at fraud in the election or the
primary" asked Prince
In the majority of precincts l think the
election was honest" replied Herdman
but in this. as in other cities there are
certain precincts where there is more or
less of dishonesty There was probably
more of it in the last election in Omaha
than hitherto"
do you think the election was con-
Quoted in general as honestly as usual?'
asked Prince.
! Il think that conditions in the lower
wards of the city have been worse than in
former years" returned Herdman.
Too Many "Assistants."
THE one great trouble in the Omaha
elections is that thousands OF voters are
assisted at the machines" said Herd
man. THE Judge goes In to assist the
voter and he is busy with the lever and
has the man voted before he knows what
has happened"
Questions on the relative merits OF vot.
ing machines and the ballot brought from
the witness the declaration that the two
methods OF voting were equal in this light
Dan Butler proceeded to cross-examine
Herdman, with little effect
You said I'm the Lincoln hotel on Janu-
airy IS that the governor had the goods on
me- What did you mean by itz'
| Herdman replied that he had made no
such statement
You said that you knew Of those blanks.
Why didn't you make an affidavit along
with the rest Of them or offer evldence?"
II am not gathering evidence for any
one" replied Herdman.
The testimony OF Edison Rich of the
Union Pocific was taken short time sub
sequent to that OF Herdman. Rich told OF
his difficulty in finding the proper free
holders TO sign his affidavit 20 permit him
to vote. HIS affidavit was first signed by
a freeholder whom he discovered not to
be resident Of the proper precinct.
The Testimony OF Herdman concerning
statements thought TO have come from
Rich was read TO the witness and the
conclusion war reached that a misunder-
/ standing had arisen.
Peters Gives His Views.
Val J. Peters, publisher OF a German
periodical, delivered himself Of a declama-
ton on his views of the methods Of the
metropolitan press. He ended long speech
by declaring he thought the election in
Omaha as whole honest.
The testimony Of Milton Barlow failed to
give the committee information OF fraud
in election or primary.
] Erick Peterson, 1888 Harvey street called
for hearing as a witness and took the
stand to give his views in fluent Scandi-
navian accents.
lie referred vehemently 20 the state
ments OF Lee HeTdman concerning as
sistance" Of voters. defending the judges
of election.
why, each judge is supposed TO attend
to his party's interest" he exclaimed heat
eddy.
BY way OF Introduction of a mass of
testimony concerning the colonization Of
laborers and unknown persons at places
In the Tenth ward John Lewis. insurance
agent and worker for the Anu-SaloOn
league under Rev Joseph NJ. Leidy, took
the stand 10 identify collection OF card
reports on cases investigated. His testi-
mony was followed by that OF the men who
1nade the direct investigation.
Detective Tells of ..CoIonIes."
r. W McGinnis, In charge Of the Omaha
worked for the Anti-saloon league, taking
his memorandum cards, which were entered
as evidence through Lewis, testified con
corning colonies" He investigated regis
tratlons from the large number Of Third
ward locations, finding that persons regis
.ered we're MISSING moved away or UNI
, anown at the addresses given.
An example OF conditions which he met
was given in the instance Of a boarding
house a. 500 South Thirteenth street
, Among those registered from this number
: out not known there or not to be found