The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-06
Official Stenographer Sum- marily Discharged for
 Contempt
IN TROUBLE OVER
 ACTION SATURDAY
Being Held for Further Punishment by the ommittee-Sincerity in Denouncing Sheridan's Notes
 Is Being Questioned

Washington, February 5-Dis- charged as official stenographer or the Senate Lorimer committee and await : ing further possible punishment for a1lesed contempt, Milton w. Blumen- hare today took the witness stand be- fore the committee to tell why he branded as "manufactured" the sten- ographic report by j. F. Sheridan of alleged phonograph records of adinls- sion. said to have been made by Charles McGowan.
 Statements made Saturday night be- fore the committee that the notes were "fakedn were repeated under oath The tense situation into which the in vsstigation has been unexpectedly shunted. resulted in sharp and almost \ bitter passages between counsel and members of the committee. Blumen- berg's discharge came after his refusal to explain his conduct Saturday night in ordering his stenographers to quit reporting the proceedings
 To Punish Stenographer
 Resolutions were adopted looking to his punishment at once for alleged con tempt and the committee attorneys be- gan search for precedents to bring Blumenberg before the bar of the Sen ate.
 The testimony of J. E. Sheridan, the Ytu9-year-old stenographer of the Burns detective agency. was then completed. The witness declared his notes were genuine. He reiterated that he had not attempted to report all that came over fh Ion hi a fIic room in which detectives were talking to McGowan but that he took only what he deemed material. A willingness to submit to any test of speed was ex- pressed. His notebook was turned over to the committee.
 Blumenberg told how he examined" | Sheridan. Saturday morning as to his qualifications" and how he watched over his shoulder as he read his notes on the witness stand He explained he did this simply from shorthand point of view"
 Storm of Questions --srhefi followed a storm of questions from members of the committee as to Biumen- berg 8 talks with Edward Hines. Mo Gowans alleged admissions involve c. F. Wiehe a brother-in-law of Edward Hines Blumenberk said he could not remember whether Hines was in a group near the door after the Saturday afternoon ses- sion when he pronounced the notes as ''absolutey manufactured.
 The witness was asked about what he said to Hines at the evening session be- fore he made his statement to the commit- tee.
 T have not the remotest idea ' was the response.
 .Why did you sit down beside him?' pursued Senator Lea.
 T probably wanted to call his attention to the fabrication"
 .Why didn't you tell members of the committee you were in it's employ?"
 T did not see any"
 "Oh, you know three members were as near to you as MT. Hines. That kind of answer won't do."
 Tt must do. I can't give any good req son"
 Communicated With Hanecy
 Senator Kern asked if the witness had hot today at lunch handed paper to Attorney Hanecy. representing Senator Lorimer.
 "Yes. he did, interrupted Attorney tIanecy sharply, "and it is here if you want to read it."
 "It contains the names of eleven stem pgraphers of reputation and if any one Jf them says these notes are genuine
 will have nothing more to say" declared Blumenberg.
 The witness had difficulty in remem- lering thas he had the notes in his pos ession Saturday night. Attorney Hane,,y interrupted at this point with a remark. Senator Lea asked hotly if the attorney represented the witness. The reply was hat the attorney represented the inter- sts that were supposed to be under it.. estigation and it was not fair for even
 member of the committee to place such
 remark in the record.
 Demand Technical Reasons
 The committee demanded of Blumenberg he technical reasons for his opinion as the notes. He said his experience Of ears led him to that judgment. In the ,ora ha said lopu hand l,ad l...,.