The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-09-23
After Spirited Opposition By
District Attorney Whitman
AT HOT SPRINGS HEARING
Two Witnesses Testified That Schepps
Did Not Exculpate Becker in Any
Way-Attorney Hart Baked in His
Efforts to Secure Delay.

Hot Springs, Ark, Sept. 23-After !
series of happenings which threatened tc
delay the examination of local wit
nesses before Special Commissioner Huff
for the purpose of ascertaining what
statements Sam Schepps made while I'M
der detention in this city, the inquiry
was finally started Saturday afternoon
at o'clock.
| Attorney J.. f. Sawyers of this city
assisted Attorney John w. Hart Of New
York in the examinations for the de.
Tense, while District Attorney Whitman
had Assistant District Attorney Rubin
at his side.
Attorney Hart Immediately after Com
missioner Huff announced the hearing
would begin sought to obtain further
delay on the ground that he had not
been legally notified of the fact that the
hearing would be held yesterday after
noon, declaring he had been informed by
Mr.. Sawyer that Commissioner Huff was
busy in the chancery court and could
not be excused until Monday.
He asked that he be given time to
interview several of the witnesses and
stated as further ground for confirm.
ance that there was at least one witness
absent whose testimony was very ma
terial to the defense. The defense had
a right to have every opportunity to
get evidence before the commission tina.
would in any way help the cause, he
argued.
at is impossible TO finish this hear
ing this afternoon. and since | have been
in the city but short time and have
not yet had time to talk with but few
of the witnesses. | think il is but fair
and Just that this hearing be put off
at least until Monday morning" he
said.
II was informed this morning that
Commissioner Huff would not be able
to take up the hearing this afternoon
and received telephone message stat
ing il had been decided to 60 on with
the hearing this afternoon. That was
not usual summons, and | think on
that ground that the hearing should be
put off. MY client is the one most inter
ested and think he has the right to
have every opportunity to get evidence
before this commission that will help
him in the trial of the case Besides.
there is very material witness who is
not present and whose testimony is very
important to the defense, and | wish
to have him present at the hearing"
District Attorney Whitman promptly
objected to any further delay.
This absent witness" continued Mr.
Hart, sis very material one and is
not in reach at this time. District
Attorney Whitman can authorize the eX-
animation Of additional witnesses if he
so desires, for | recognize the fact the
order OF the court to the commissioner
does not authorize the addition OF the
testimony of new witnesses. 1t will ex-
pedite matters and possibly save me
the trouble of waiting for another com
which ! shall certainly do ii this
testimony is not taken at this time.
III it is necessary, can draw up
papers so strong that no judge can get |
around them and will if necessary file |
a strong affidavit with the commissioner,
giving the name OF this new witness
and the character OF his testimony
found"
~ have no doubt you can draw up
strong afdavits,' retorted District At |
torney Whitman. 1--WE have already had |
evidence of that fact"
The district attorney finally agreed |
to permit this additional testimony, pro-
gided Attorney Hart would file an Aft
lavit giving the name of the witness
and what he would testify to.