New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-11
WOOD IN RAGE
At THOMPSON
CAUSES UPROAR
4will Not Tolerate Cues
t;on." Commissioner
Shouts at Senator
,SsEMBLYMAN TRIES
TO DEFEND WITNESS
,oo;,v About Mothers Illness
g Starts Observation-Disclosures
,ad n Confusion at Hearing.

e.,o, Thompson and Public Ser
-, commissioner Wood almost came
Nav, At yesterdays session OF the
r,ompson legislative committee Ever
-. Wood has been on the stand the
s M between him and the committee
s.,-r"sn has been bitter. For time
r.,,srdsy It looked as though he would
n,.. on the Senator, so great was
II. rag. at the questions asked.
Assemblyman Joseph NJ. Callahan a
.,,or;,v member Of the committee, got
ITO the fray by protesting against the
opsstions asked by Senator Thompson
md il appeared for a few minutes as
,bopSb he, too, would mix it up" with
he chairman. To add to the excite
mspt sever, photographers began set
ting of flashlights. and the scene was
uor. like q German trench than the
hearing room of an august committee
Of the Legislature.
For ten minutes Senator Thompson
ont IN a rapid fire of sarcastic CUES
IONS AZ Wood, who went back at him
,gitb a vim that he had not exhibited
- anv Of the other sessions. When
cuiet was finally restored Senator
Tbonpson adjourned the session, with
issemblyman Callahan clamoring to
,nt himself straight on the record.
The excitement began when Com
Missioner Wood submitted physi-
.ian's certificate stating that his
aother. Alice r. Wood, was suffering
rom nervous prostration and could not
answer a subpoena.
Wood Resents Question.
What caused her nervous prostrs-
-ionp asked Senator Thompson, sar-
,astically; twas it the fear that we
Fould show up your books?'
Wood jumped about six inches, OUT
Of his seat and glared at the CHAIR
nan before answering. He nervously
yrasped the sides Of his chair, as
though making a determined EFFORT 70
hold himself back, and the spectators
we're expecting him 20 jump at the
Senator. Senator Thompson cnewec
harder on his cigar and took hrmel
hold on the gavel that he had beer
twirling between his fingers. FINALLY
Wood regained himself sufhciently &c
shout:
Senator, resent that question verI
much; | will not tolerate IT,"
well, ! want to know" the chairman
went on, "if it was the prospect OF
opening the books that caused her ner
vous plostration ?" =,
Senator" Wood again shouted, hall
Using out Of his chair and shaking his
anger at Senator Thompson, II will
not tolerate that; will not answer
your question"
The chairman was persistent, until
rally Wood recovered himself suffi'
.ently 70 fish a typewriter note from
his pocket, from which he read:
Il refuse 10 answer the question for
he reasons that it is neither legal mol
pertinent; that it is immaterial and be-
yoad the jurisdiction of this commits
sion; that 1t is not pertinent TO the
Investigation which the committee IS
authorized to make, and that ii relates
exclusively and entirely to my personal
matters and private business affairs"
Reply Prepared by Counsel.
Where did you get that lucid expo
ton ?" the chairman asked sarcastic
ally.
From my counsel, Mr.. Stanchfeld,'
Wood answered with much satisfaction
Have you anything 10 hide? Is thai