Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-06
BERGER IS after
kFEDERAL JUDGE
Wisconsin Congressman to Push
Case in House Against U. S.
Jurist Hanford.
RULING OF COURT ISSUE
Action Based on Disfranchisement of
Seattle Citizen Because of His
Belief in Socialism.

Washington, u. c. June 6.-Repre-
sentative Berger of Wisconsin has de-
clared his intention OF urging impeach-
ment proceedings against United
States District Judge Cornelius H.
Hanford of Seattle.
Mr.. Berger was encouraged in his
action by a letter from Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham recommending the
reopening of the case in which Han
ford deprived Leonard Oleson of Seat
tie OF citizenship because he was
socialist
Representative Berger averred he
would exercise his prerogative as
member of the house and would call up
as a matter of special privilege reso-
luton for the Impeachment of Judge
Hanford
SUBMITS COPY OF RECORD.
Berger laid before the president and
the attorney general copy of the rec
ords in the Oleson case and today he
received a letter from Mr.. Wicker
sham saying gross injustice had been
done to Mr., Oleson.'
Oleson's certificate of naturalization
was Cancelled by Judge Hanford on tes-
timony that Oleson subscribed to the
principles of the socialist party.
The form of impeachment will be un-
usual TO the house. Under the eXami-
nation a member can rise to his place
and impeach judge. 1t is a question
of the highest privilege and under the
rules must he taken up. If the resOlu-
tion is adopted the judiciary committee
is charged with preparing the case for
presentation to the senate.
TEXT OF WICkERSHAM LETTER.
Mr.. Berger bases his view that an
impeachment action will succeed on
the following letter from Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham, received after the
representative had called on him in
the matter:
Victor Berger, house of representa-
tives-My Dear Mr.. Berger: After you
left | found on investigation that the
department had already caused inquir-
I les to be made into the case OF
which you spoke to me - namely
the proceeding in the western dis
trict of Washington, to cancel the
naturalization certificate of Leonard
Oleson, and, upon examining the
report | found that the proceed
ing was initiated at the instance of one
| Of the local officials of the department
I of commerce and labor and brought by
the district attorney without previous
communication with this department
| found, moreover, that no report
/ had been taken on the trial of the testi
mOny of the witnesses, and that coun
sci for Mr.. Oleson had requested the
/ decree he opened in order to enable
him TO make a record. have instruct
cd the United States attorney TO facili
tate him in every way within his power
toward the opening of the decree ant
the securing Of a new trial, or. failinl
that, of an appeal to the circuit cour
Of appeals.
| have fuTser notified the Trniteg
States attorney that upon the factt
stated by Judge HanfOrd in his decis
ION, the department was of the opinion
that a gross injustice had been don,
10 Mr.. Oleson in canceling his certif
cate of naturalization.
GEORGE w. WICKERSHAN
= The house may not take action ~
, Representative Berger's resolution O
e Impeachment at this time, it was re
= ported today, postponing it until tn
next session of congress.
MAGAZINE ATTACKS HANFORD
The June number of Everybody
Magazine contained an article eypo,
ing the alleged shortcomings of var
Gus judges throughout the country. A
ter stating that on Aug. %, 1911. Judg
Haniord was hanged in efigy in Sea
tie as protest against his decisions
the article continues:
While hearing cases Hanford woul
often doze on the bench. He was m
last resort Of corporations distresse
by legal necessities. A few month
ago he granted a new trial nm III
ground that he had given an instru
'ion 10 the jury in which the wor
any was used where it should nc
have been used.
= IT was his habit to allow such larg
fees 10 his professional cronies in r
ceiVeTship cases as to leave pract
caIly nothing for the creditors. He fl
duced good many lawyers who wer
iractIcins before his court to inve.
: tneir savings TO their sorrowj in hi
= hanford irrigation enterprise"