The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-07-23
HANFORD
RESIGNS
Federal Judge Now Under Fire
Gives up Office
WHILE CASE is PENDING
Serious Allegations of Misconduct Have
Been Made-These Involved Deals
With Many Corporate
~ Interests.

Seattle, Wash, July 23-Unitet
States District Judge Cornelius H. Han
ford, whose conduct on the bench has
been under investigation for nearly a
month by subcommittee of the House
Judiciary committee, telegraphed his res,
ignation yesterday to President Taft
Judge Hanford gives i'll health as the
reason for his resignation.
Judge Hanford has been under steady
fire since last May, when by revoking
the citizenship papers of Leonard OLSEN,
Socialist and member of the Industrial
Workers of the World, he drew upon
himself not only hostility of the entire
Socialist forces of the United States, but
that of a. large number of more impair
tial judges of the case, who believed that
q substantial injustice had been done.
Hanford refused an appeal at first, but
later reversed his decision.
The proceedings which were immedi-
ately begun by the House OF. Representa-
tives looking toward the impeachment of
the jurist have not only shed light on
the case at issue itself, but have brought
out ugly reports OF numerous shady
transactions in which Hanford is alleged
by the testimony to have been involved.
The House appointed subcommittee
which has been taking evidence at Seat.
tie. The testimony has involved the
name of former Secretary of the Interior
Richard Achilles Ballnger, upon whom
there centered such controversy back
in 1909 and 1910.
Judge Hanford. according to some Of
the witnesses who have testified tai
though it is only fair to say that Others
have denied the eharge) has been a ha-
bitual drunkard, and has even appeared
on the bench in this state. Other more
serious charges, however have been made
The charge of misconduct growing out
OF the judges issuance of an injunction
in the Seattle, Renon & Southern Street
railway suit was taken up, and the COM
mittee showed a lively interest in the
Eli Melovieh case, in which Judge Han
ford set aside verdict OF $4,000 for
loss OF an arm on the ground that he
himself from WEAKNESS" used the word
ANY improperly in charging the jury.
Trouble with Judge Hanford, in which
Ballnger figured as counsel for the OPP
posing interests, was recounted by At.
torney Jerry Landon Finch. Finch told
the committee he was counsel for the
shipbuildng firm OF Hickman 4 Hanson,
which, about 10 years ago, went into
voluntary bankruptcy with assets, Finch
said, of 100000 and only $4,000 in LA
bilities. receiver was appointed and
sold the property to man who, the
witness asserted, was acting in the in
iterest of bank of which Ballinger was
counsel. Appearing before Judge Han
ford, Finch secured reference of the
matter to referee in bankruptcy. with
view of reopening the case. When,
however, he demanded that the bank pro-
duce its books. the matter was put up
to Judge Hanford, who not only declined
to reopen the case, but criticised the at.
torneys.
ii told him" said Finch, "that with
these books | could produce evidence
sufficient to disbar Ballinger and his col |
leagues" referring to other attorneys who
had appeared with Ballinger in the affair.
"Make that good or I'll disbar YOU"
witness said Hanford replied. The Judge, !
Finch said, later called meeting of |
The Seattle Bar association, at which
resolutions were adopted generating
Balinger.
A committee appointed to consider the
dsbarment of Finch reported it could |
not find evidence upon which to act, |
whereupon the judge, in open court, ex
pressed regret at his own inability to
do it. Finch charged that Ballinger APP
peared first as attorney for the maker
OF a note for and shortly afterward as
counsel for bank that foreclosed
mortgage by which the note was secured
Finch testified that the five creditors with
claims of s23, who petitioned Judge Han
ford to have the estate closed. were
mostly clerks in Ballinger's Office. The
witness said that Ballingcr had signed
note of large amount under power of at
torney for the shipbuilding company, al
though the members of the concern had
no knowledge of the transaction.
The committee placed in the record
copy of letter written by Judge Han.
ford on October 20, 1896, to an attorney
OF Mt. Vernon, WASH who had recon-
mended that the judge appoint certain
man to Office.
The letter says, in part:
"Your letter of October 10 together
with a petition for the appointment of
Mr.. Weppler to be United States Circuit
commissioner at McMurray, has been
to me.
81 do not usually inquire about the
politics of persons recommended for APP
pointment as commissioners, but LOYALTY /
and a belief that the national govern
ment may rightfully exercise its lawful
authority in all places are qualifications
for the office, and when the time comes
for making an appointment | will not
regard Mr.. Weppler as suitable per-
son unless ] am assured he is not
supporter of the Chicago platform or
of the candidates for office who sub
scribe to its declarations.
II say this because | am not per-
sonally acquainted with Mr.. Weppler
and do not know mis- position in this
(Signedl &C. H. Hanford."
Other witnesses testified yesterday as
to the drinking of Judge Hanford. One
witness told that he had won wager
that in any one of nine saloons, the bar
tenders. if asked for Judge Hanford
martini would substitute an onion for
the customary olive. The witness said
he had been threatened with business
ostracism because of his testimony.
Frank Burpee. a manufacturer of sal
mon canning machinery testified that in
1902. while damage awards in suit
doofIad aoosnuf pta,roa FOR in /