The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-22
ROOSEVELT GIVES INSIDE STORY" OF
 MACHINE POLITICS
The Colonel Spends Five Hours on Witness Stand in Suit Brought by
 Barnes

Syracuse. N. Y, April 21.-Theodore Roosevelt spent five hours on the wit ness stand in the supreme court here today, telling what he said he believed was the inside story of machine pol it,es and boss rule in New York state. By so doing the former President hoped to convey 10 the jury trying the suit William Barnes brought against him for alleged libel the impression that Barnes.
 Colonel Roosevelt swore he had been reliably informed that the Murphy democrats" and the Barnes repub- licans," the latter under the leader ship of Mir. Barnes, united on more than one occasion to defeat the plans Of Independent men of both parties in the state legislature. And MT. Barnes told William Loeb. Jr.. the witness em- phatically declared, that he had an ironclad agreement with Charles F. Murphy of Tammany Hall, to allow Murphy free hand to select a Unl- ted States senator. MT. Loeb was pri- vatc secretary to Colonel Roosevelt when he was President and later was collector of the port of New York.
 The witness told in detail of his dealings with the late Senator Tlatt, the man he had described as the "easy loss" Platt, the colonel asserted, at tempted to dictate the man he, as gov ernor Of the state of New York, should appoint to be superintendent of public works. But, said Colonel Roose- welt, with a considerable display of pride, when he told Mr. Barnes of the conversation he added that he didn't intend any man should say who he should appoint to office. MT. Barnes, however, sided with Mir Platt saying the organization leader should have complete control of it, the witness swore.
 Gives Conversations
 The colonel gave what he represent ed to be the details of his conversa- tons and what he had been informed were the actions of MT. Barnes in re- gard to direct primaries legislation race track Legislation and opposition
 
 to Governor Hughes.
 lie related too, the information former Governor Sulzer and his in- vestigator, John A. Hennessy, gave hiin reg rding alleged corruption in certain state departments. And, as a conclu- sion, he denied that he held any malice toward Mir Barnes. and added that Le considered he was championing the cause of good government against bi- partisan boss rule when he caused the publication of the offending state ment.
 Tomorrow Colonel Roosevelt will submit to cross Xaminat ton at the hnnds of William M. Wins, chief of the Pa1nes counsel
 During his stay on the stand today the colonel seemed to be even more at his ease than he was yesterday. lie argued with Mir Barnes attorney s. who constantly interrupted him with objections. He pounded on the judges desk with his fist He brought the ps Inns of his hands together with re sounding slaps.
 One instant the expression on his face was solemn and the next it was ioyial. He tried his best to get into the records things he wanted to get in and he made suggestions to his counsel as to where this letter or that paper might be found. Once he smi ingly engaged in discussion with Justice Andrews. presiding.
 And while the oppo sing lawyers themselves were engaged in arS ling legal points with Justice Andrews, the colonel, patient and calm, toyed with the massive gold watch chain stretched across his chest, drunimso with the tips of his fingers on the tench beside him and looked from jury box to lawyers, from lawyers to spec tators, and from spectators to the pre- siding justice. When the arguments were over he invariably would turn to Justice Andrews, smile broadly and. after addressing him as judge ask whether he might proceed.
 MT. Barnes paid particular attention to his opponent during this session of court He listened to every word the colonel