New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-02
Wells, Counted on by
Prosecution. Proves a
Boomerang Witness.
TOMPKINS DIARIES"
RUNfON OUTSIDE
Counsel fo- Defence Resents
Attack of Honest Ballot AS
ISOLATION LAWYER.

4 fve-hour tilt between attorneys
thu. AZ one time threatened 20 end in
blows marked yesterdays session Of
the inquiry into the charges o. neglig-
ercc made against John z. Noorhls.
State Superintendent OF Elections.
brought aboIt by the Honest Ballot As
ISOLATION ard other civic organiza-
tions. ". Cleveland Runyon. counsel
for the association. and John T. Temp
s.ns. one OF the attorneys for the de-
fence. were the belligerent lawyers.
The clash happened in the cross-ex-
animation Of James s. Wells. former
secretary for the Office Of Superintend-
ent Of Elections. the only witness
called yesterday a. the hearing in the
rooms Of the Bar Association. az A.
West 4ith 81.
Wells. who had been counted upon
b. the Honest Ballot Association as \
damaging witness TO VoOrhis. and who
had been summoned BY the prosecu-
ton. proved q disappointment. Runyon
was putting Wells through cross-ex-
animation when Tompk'rs interrupted
You are discreditinE his testimony"
ho said; you are seeking 20 .mpeach
your own witness"
Hes not our witness; he's yours, ~
said Runyor. disappointed az the ma
ture o. tho testimony given By Wells.
IN al instant Tompkins was on his
feet
81 want 20 know right row what you
mean by making such an assertion
70 shouted al Ruryon. How dare you
make that in-.ruation by saying that
he ia our witness. Either come RICH.
cut and SAY what you mean or III de-
I -. l.
ut certainly is apparent that this
witness has gone back on his test
nony." retorted Runyon. He also
nedo certain statements and then went
back on them. II he has not been a
witness for your side don't know
how else he nay be described"
With that Tompkins boiled over.
Dares Lawyer Outside
"You don't dare come outside OF this
room and make that irsinuation.' he
rctorted. Then. turning 70 John n.
Mcmahon, appointed as special COM
missioner by Governor Glynn 10 hear
he charges against Noorh.s. he said ::
THAT is an insinuation upon the
honor and integrity of counsel for Su-
perinteuden- Foorhis. | demand that
it be set straight at once and entered
on the record just as uttered by Mr
Runyon. do not want IL believed Cor
an instant that Mr. Wells has been
seen by Us or that he came to see
counsel for Mr.. Noorhis'
Tompkins was still frothing when
Commissioner Mcmahon soothed the
angry lawyers.
az do not believe any insinuation vas
meant by Mr.. Runyon." he declared.
81 DO not think ne meant TO reflect on
the integrity Of counsel. This witness
has told a clear straightforward story
ia an intelligent manner. but then. Nr.
Runyon may be a trife disappointed in
him. Let US get back 70 the question
at hand"
Blow to Prosecution.
II was a blow 70 the prosecution
when Wells denied knowledge or pro-
fessed lack Of memory. John T. BOWL
ing and Leslie J. Tompkins counsel for
the defence. also assisted in making
the day unpleasant for the Honest Bal
Let Associations counsel by their n
sistent objections 20 his questions.
Before the session ended RunyOn
made plain the fact that he will inves-
tigate Wells 20 see II any influence was
brought 20 bear on him.
The last lively tiff occurred when he
sought 70 learn Weiss place OF bust
ness. The latter admitted living az
1s5 Park pl.. Brooklyn, and having an
office az y Park Row. Manhattan. but
declared also that ne had another bust
ness address which he declined 10 tell.
After a half hours wrangle between
counsel. Commissioner Mcmahon or
dcred Wells 20 tell his other employer.
He thereupon said he was engaged in
a clerical capacity by Howard Cole &
Co.. at 1 Wall street.
The only reason I had for not want
ing to tell he said. was because
did not want 20 be bothered at all hours
Of the day and night by representa-
:ives Of the Honest Ballot Association
and the Bureau Of Municipal Research
with subpPnas.'
The hearing will be continued at 10
o'clock this morning.