The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-23
United States District Judge
Wires Resignation to Presi-
dent After Lawyers Con-
fer With Committee.
CHARGES AGAINST
JURIST ARE MANY
Hearings Will Be Discon-
tinued; Surprise in Washing
ton; Humphrey Is Not
Wanted on Bench.


States District Judge Cornelius II.
Hanford. the first federal judgs
~ appointed when Washington was
admitted 10 statehood. twenty
three years ago, sent his resignation to-
day to President Taft while the last wit
nesses were waiting to testify before the
mousse Judiciary committee which has
been hearing evidence relative TO charges
Of misconduct filed against Judge Han
ford
At the time set for hearing this MORN
inG a series OF conferences between the
committeeman and Judge Hanford's at
torneys was begun, The proposal that
the judge resign and the hearing be dis
continued was submitted by Judge Han
lords attorneys and accepted by the
committee, Judge Hanford sent his resig-
nation by telegraph to President Taft at
1890 O'Clock. going In person to the tele-
graph office with the message. At the
same time Chairman Graham OF the sub
committee sent a telegram to Chairman
Clayton Of the house judiciary commit
tee telling him OF the change In the ait
uation and recommending that the hear
lngs be discontinued
Then Chairman Graham returned to the
court room and announced n recess un-
I'll p. m. AT the llour set for re-
assembling no word had been received
from Chairman Clayton. and there was
delay until g. message came directing
that the hearings be discontinued
Further Action Unlikely.
The committee will leave tomorrow for
Washington. taking voluminous record
OF the twenty days testimony and also
the records OF the law suits upon which
most OF the charges against Judge Han
ford were based. 1t is the general un-
dersatnding that no further action OF
any kind will be taken by the house.
Judge Eanford's chief counsel. E. c.
Hughes. said after the resignation, that
the Judge has desired TO resign several
weeks ago. but could not we'll do so with
no evidence heard In the case. The
Judge and his friends. according to coun-
sci. are satisfied with the showing made
by him In the hearing. which. they say,
did not sustain the charges.
That the judge was anxious to resign
was kept secret from all persons In
Washington and rom everybody In Seat
tie except his counsel.
Hanford's 8 Statement,
Judge Hanford's statement to the public
follows.
The almost constant strain under
which I have worked for more than
twenty-five years has taxed but not
exhausted my power OF endurance I
am not likely TO have a vacation or
rest. but change Of occupation Will
be a welcome relief. intend to prac-
tlce law in Seattle.
In the investigation which has been
conducted by q sub committee OF
the house OF representatives much tes-
tu,ony has been given by witnesses
who know me and others who do not.
am grateful for the comnendation
Of those who have spoken and written
In my favor, and as for those who
have maligned me I only wish to say
that would be ashamed Of myself
II Ind not incurred tho enmity OF
such people as they are. judge
is never so sure of being right an
when his work has been criticized un-
fairly, and without boasting. and In
view of all that has been and may be
said OF and concerning myself and
my work. I am glad that my record
is what II is,
Close Watch on Judge.
Judge Hanford hns been much in the
public eye since August %. 1911, when.
after he had issued an Injunction hos
tile to the position Of Seattle citizens
In u five-cent fare fight against street
car company. he WINS denounced at
great mass meeting, and resolutions de-
manding his impeachment We're adopted
While tho matter was In progress
crowd outside hanged in effigy stuffed
figure labelled "Hanford.' One os the
at the meeting said that be
had seen Judge Hapford intoxicated IN
public place. The speakers ut this meet
ing were arrested for interfering with m
order OF the court and some OF them
rero kept In prison for several days. lt
appeared from the evidence in the hear-
MY Just ended that detectives were at
,nce detailed TO watch Judge Hanford and
,yery move he made from morning Until
ate at night was recorded. Several mein-
,ers Of congress were consulted with
yiew to bringing impeachmsnt pyocead-
ngs against the Judge.
In the spring OF 1919, the Industrial
Work ers OF the World caused much trou.
(Oonttnued on Page Twu.)