Evening journal., 1915-04-20
DENIES
ANYPEACEPACT
With ROOSEVELT
Both Factions Declare Libel
War Will Continue to
a Legal Finish
FORMER PRESIDENT READY
TO SUDSTANTIATE CHARGES
By BOND p. GEDDEs,

SYRACUSE. n. Y, April 2O.-"No
quarter" was the battle cry today
from the warrins political camps of
William Barnes, and Colonel Roose-
welt.
With the beginning today of testi-
mony in Barnes $4,000 libel suit
against the Progressive leader. both
factions declared that the war would
be carried to the bitter end.
II was learned today that both
Barnes and Roosevelt are being inn
portuned to compromise their fight.
and avoid revelations which may up-
set and blight their political careers.
Prominent Republicans are asking
Barnes and Republicans and Progress
sives suggesting 10 Roosevelt, that a
compromise should be reached. If pos
sible, for the good of both parties.
Such suggestions were firmly re-
jected today by both leaders. They
are set upon fight to a finish. Re-
ports that statements in court late
yesterday of Roosevelts chief coun-
sci. John NJ. Bowers, that Roosevelt's
charges against Barnes were not per-
sonal and were not meant to impute
personal corruption, might lead TO an
amicable settlement of the suit were
vigorously denied today. Roosevelts
side even went farther. They declar-
ed thar Bowers disclaimer was not
TO be considered a weakening" by
the Roosevelt side or even as an over
ture for compromise.
Roosevelt was determined today
upon his original plan of attempting
proof of his charges and barring all
possible alleged iniquities, political,
OF Barnes The trial was resumed
today with opening statements of
counsel for both sides. William M.
WINS. Of New York City. chief coun-
sci for Barnes, made the first ad-
dress. excoriating Roosevelt.
When court opened, ROOsevelfs law
ycrs complained TO Justice andrews re-
earding refusal of State Comptrollel
Travis to produce State legislative ant
printing contract records desired by the
defense. The Judge did not order theil
production, saying copies might be Sc
cured. but said he would grant an order
for State records desired. Barnes coun
sci agreed that copies would not be OBJ
iectcd 10.
Roosevelt arrived carly at court, but
Barnes did not arrive until after Attor
ney Wins began his opening address &c
the jury.
WINS explained the technical ofensC
as like a violation Of a property right
good name and reputation Wins asked
for punitive as well as actual damages
tor Barnes He said Roosevelt exercised
tremendous and meNampled' infu
ence on public opinion. He traceC
Iloosevelt's whole career TO show the
force behind the alleged libel.
ale became the greatest arbiter OF
opinion that has been known in this
country" said WINS. He described how
Barnes and Roosevelt worked together
until the State gubernatorial campaign
of 1910, and their break at the Syracus,
convention, when Roosevelt defeated
Barnes forces and nominated Henry l.
Stimson for governor.
WINS told of Barnes opposition to
convention at Chicago and said
Roosevelts defeat gave rise TO ma
lice" of the colonel toward Barnes.
His political position as well as
personal was brought into contempt
and dishonor by the alleged "libel'
WINS asserted.
Because of Roosevelt's position.
WINS said State Senator Harvey ID.
Hinman proclaimed his independence
of Barnes leadership.
"The vital question in this case
for your TO decide is If these state
ments are true, because truth is never
libelous and If true, the plaintiff has
no standing in court" said WINS. ac-
cepting Roosevelt's issue of pleading
ustification-truth Of charges.
"But there Is no privilege tc de-
fame" he continued, reading Roose-
velt's entire statement OF July %, 1914.
During WINS speech, Roosevelt kept
his eyes glued on the attorney, rest
ing his arm on table. At his state
ment declaring The state government
is rotten" Roosevelt nodded his head
vigorously, in mute reiteration of his
sentiments. AS each declaration
against Barnes and Murphey's alleged
bossism and bipartisan control was
read, Roosevelt's head bobbed affirm
atively. He smiled at some of the
more caustic barbs in his statement.
Barnes sat immovable throughout
his counsels speech He viewed tho
jury over Rooseyelt's broad back and
nOdding head