Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-28
PLATTS ADVICE VERY
VALUABLE, ROOSEVELT
EXPLAINS IN DEFENSE
Colonel Declares He Went
to "Boss" Partly for
knowledge and Partly
Because He Wanted to
Hold Organization.

SYRACUSE, n. Y, April 29.-Colonel
Roosevelt spent his most tempestuous
day on the witness stand this morning.
After his cross-examination was con-
cluded shortly before II o'clock. the
former President explained in detail the
contributions to the 1904 Republican cam
paign fund and his relations with Boss
Platt
When redirect examination began John
Nj. Bowers chief counsel for Roosevelt,
exploded bomb when he declared that
William NJ. Wins had misled the Colonel
by reading from the Clapp Committees
campaign contribution findings instead Of
from the ofFlffcial report. Wins hotlN
denied deception. The matter finally was
passed over.
Roosevelt said he was mistaken in testi-
flying the contributions to his fund were
$3,000.O00
He asserted Chairman Cortelyou told
him they were only about IS0OoOO
ROOSEVELT IN FINE FETTLE.
Bitter clashes between the Colonel, his
counsel and Barnes attorneys constantly
occurred Roosevelt was full of fire snap
and vim He smacked his hands in crack
ing emphasis of his explanation that he
worked with Platt only as far as his own
conscience permitted.
'On certain points" said Roosevelt.
"because of his wide knowledge, l found
Mr.. Platts advice very valuable, of real
and great value.
II consulted with him on all matters Of
great importance during my entire Ad-
ministration. My purpose was partly to
take advantage of his experience; largely
to see II ! could not come to an agree
ment with him as the head of the Organi-
cation which would let me avoid a break
~. 81. ,,,tsy tfEY, n,I Mt hn a no
time do what the interests of the State
demanded.
My purpose in not breaking with the
Organization was to avoid dlsrupting the
Republican party as long as | could by
honorable action prevent 1t and also get
affirmative right done at Albany" said
the colonel. smacking hts fist in his palm.
WINS protested that Roosevelt be pro-
hibited from such gesticulations.
"They affect the minds of the jury"
said WINS, although we can't control his
vocal emphasis
The Judge said the witness should tes-
tify in the ordinary manner.
''I shall not attempt to regulate the or
dinary manner of the witness, even III
gesticulation," said the Judge.
WANTED TO GET RESULTS
Roosevelt said the Organizations con-
troll Of the Senate. if he broke with It,.
ting any affirmative action.
II became convinced the Organization
controlled the majority of the Senate,
he continued, ''and If 1 want to get
action 1 should go where the real power
was-to Mr. Platt-and I must consult
with him If | wished to get affirmative
action. l wasn't content to have a merely
negative Administration. There were a
number of positive results 1 wished to
attain"
1, ADMITS HE ATTACKED BARNES.
\ The cross-eXamination of Colonel Roose-
welt was completed after he had been on
the stand 50 hours and minutes.
That's ALL" said William NJ Wins, at
10:44, after Roosevelt had admitted maxi
ing certain speeches throughout New
York last October attacking Barnes and
alleging his combination with Charles F.
Murphy.
The IS minutes during which Roosevelt
was under cross-examination. were taken
up by the Colonel's admissions, in ringing
tones, whenever he got a chance to repeat
his words, that he accused Barnes and
Murphy OF taking from the people the
right to govern themselves.
''I said that" or Yes" were the Col
oneIs answers, with a show of big molars
and evident satisfaction.
Attorney WINS read several of Roose-
velts speeches and statements to the
jury. The Colonel gave an exhibition of
ne Supplleu OllllSSlOlS III lllt
printed reports of his speech and made
corrections. Once he took the copy from
WINS hands and read the speech himself,
putting all his platform energy and en-
phasis Into it.
Some of the anti-Barnes attacks were
excluded by Justice Andrews, including
Roosevelt's speeches made after Barnes
filed the libel suit last July.
"SEE-SAW' MISGOVERNMENT."
Roosevelt admitted that he said h4
twas not prepared to admit" either
Barnes or Murphy had any character
and were principals in 'see-ssw" mis-
government.
That Roosevelt aggravated the libel
by repeating the charges after Barnes
sued was asserted by Ivins.
When his counsel objected to receipt Of
certain speeches, Roosevelt in violent
pantomine signalled his lawyers to let
him answer.
Sometimes he answered before his
counsel could register objections. 4
Immediately after WINS ended. AttornR,
Bowers took up the redirect examinat,o,,
He took up the matter of campaig5 CON.
tributions.