Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-10

Syracuse, N. Y, May 9.-There Is a
prospect that both ex-President William
Howard Taft and Elihu Root will be call
ed to testify in the Barnes-Roosevelt libel
trial which will be resumed in the SUI
preme court here Monday morning. Both
will testify for William Barnes, the plain
tiff, II they are called, and Syracusans
are looking forward to the interesting
situation of having two former Presi-
dents of the United States, once friends
but enemies now. in the same courtroom,
one testifying against the other.
Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Root will be asked
to appear as witnesses only in case the
Barnes lawyers feel that their testimony
will be vital to their case. Mr.. Barnes is
against having them appear, but his law
yers may overrule him. He takes the at
titude that he does not want to subject
him friends to any embarrassment I'M
less it is absolutely necessary. Neither
does he want to injure the political fu-
ture of any of his friends, as might
result if they appeared against Col.
Roosevelt, who still has a large political
following.
The Barnes lawyers would not discuss
Saturday the possibility of Mr.. Taft and
| Mr.. Root being called, but it was admit
| ted that if it came to the worst, both
men would be requested to appear and
| give what evidence against the colonel
| they could. Neither will be subpoenaed
as the Barnes lawyers feel this is I'M
necessary, but they are sure that both
| men will come If Mr.. Barnes asks them
to do so. Should Mr.. Taft take the wit
! ness stand it is expected that he will
give much new light upon many events
in the coloners varied political career
Question 1908 Methods
| William II. WINS, Mr. Barnes chief OF
counsel, would like to know lot about
Mr.. Taft's nomination for the presiden-
cy in 1908, and if the colonel asked po-
! litical favors. 1t has been charged that
Mr.. Roosevelt forced the nomination upon
the party and used regular boss meth
DDS In doing so. Mr.. WINS also expects
that Mr.. Taft could effectively attack
Mr.. Roosevelts credibility on many mat
tiers he has testified about.
Elihu Root, secretary of state un-
der President Roosevelt is no longer
friendly with the colonel and should
secrets would undoubtedly be revealed
Another witness that may be asked to
testify is United States Senator ]. w
Wadsworth. Still others are ex-Govs
r. B. Odell, Jr., John A. Dix and Mar
tin III. Glynn. Otto S. Kelsey, former
state superintendent Of insurance, has
been subpoenaed. Altogether the
Barnes lawyers expect to call about
rs witnesses.
How many Of these will be asked tt
take the witness stand will depend ii
large measure upon the ruling on Mon.
day Of Justice William S. Andrews re.
garding the printing of evidence thai
has been brougt out. The judge tolt
John NJ. Bowers, senior Roosevelt
counsel, on Friday that he would strik,
out all the printing evidence unless
counsel could more closely connect Mr.
Barnes with the so-called printing
scandals than they have yet been abb
to do. The justice said his mide wa
still open on the subject, and he will
hear arguments from both sides a
! soon as court opens.
Printing Evidence Big Factor
. All day Saturday the lawyers wer
going over the evidence and marshal
ling the facts regarding the printin
evidence, SO that the judge could pas
upon 1t as quickly as possible. TIL
Roosevelt attorneys realize how vita
the ruling will be to the case, fo
should the printing evidence be throw
out little. II anything. will be left ther
to show justification Of the alleged Ii
bel, and they will have to fall bac
, upon mitigation evidence entirely an
try to convince the jury that the col
onel did not utter the alleged libel ma
-liciously. The colonel is PARTICULAR
exercised over the seriousness Of Il
) situation, and instead Of going horse
back riding Saturday. he conferre
most of the time with Mr.. Bowers an
Q his other lawyers.
}. Each side has been furnished with
d daily report of the stenographer's mir
9 utes OF the testimony Of the previou
J. day. 30 that there Is now in their po
9 session complete transcript Of ever
] word TINT hna onnnor "a ~ 49, ~ocn,