El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-20
AGAIN
REFUSES To TELL
Governor Declines to Say
Who Loaned Him $685.,
600 to Paw Debts.

loaned him S156.0O0 several month ago
TO pay off debts. He also refused to
answer this question when il was pro-
pounded before the house which re-
Gently preferred impeachment charges
against him.
Expected Crisis Comes
The long expected crisis in the
cross examination Of Gov. Ferguson
came this morning when he positively
declined to tell from whom he Dor
rowed the money which was delivered
in currency early this year
IN answer to a question by senator
Page ne stated that he had taken UP
with the persons from whom he Dor
rowed, the matter Of release from
his promise 10 them, but that they
had not released him.
The senate then began discussing
what action IL should take Senators
Page and Bailey thought the question
should be first considered by a COM
mittee. and there was debate as to
" hich committee. Senator baltimore
favored direct action by the senate
Adjournment for lunch interrupted
the debate
asked About san Antonio Brewer.
a few minutes before the governors
refusal 10 answer, senator strickland
asked president pro TEN Dean what
efforts had been made to bring otto
Wahrmuud, OF san Antonio. represen-
tative from that county, and presl-
dent of brewery. before the senate
as a witness Senator Dean said a
subpoena had been issued and that
service had not been obtained; that
was all he knew
was any effort made 10 serve the
paperg" demanded senator Stric6-
land Il don't know" replied Dean
says IL Is Private Affair
In his refusal the governor declared
that to answer the question would
open his private affairs to the pubic
and constitute "unWarranted search
and seizure" as defined by the bill OF
rights. ". NJ Crane, counsel for the
house managers asked him II he had
made @ speech before the legislature
i'm which he declared the legislators
ought to be proud to have gov
ernOr who could borrow that much
money, and II he did not think those
who loaned it to him ought also TO be
proud9 The governor replied that
they are proud Of il, but for bust
ness reasons the matter must remain
private He declared no state Off
cial or anyone interested in legislation
or his official acts loaned him the
money.
When senator strickland asked him
If any brewery, liquor or oil interests
loaned the money. or II II came
through Jesse Jones, or Houston, the
governor again declined to answer,
saying that by process Of elimination
they could eventually get the infor-
nation IL that line Of questioning was
Kept It in His Desk.
The governor said he kept between
$4,000 and $4,000 OF the money IN
the wooden desk in his office for as
long as two months This was
clear as daylight transaction between
two friends; no law was violated ne
said adding. III the price or the gov
eruOr's office Is that / must break
my word and throw away fortune
that I have worked like a dog TO get
then cannot pay that price me pol
fticians OF Texas nearly wrecked my
bank when the directors were salts
fled with my paper
would Mean Serious Loss
Crane asked him what harm could
possibly come TO the creditors from
the governor replied. Il might IS well
tell YOU all II would subject me TO
serious financial loss. Ny word IS
out After the house investigation, i
senate. but that permission was not
granted. / would be glad 70 tell you
all. but I cannot and j must respect
fully decline"
Mr.. Crane asked the governor II at
the time he obtained this loan every
mortgaged- He answered Yes
Questioned About Call.
A statement by governor Ferguson
that he called the special session OF
the legislature which began impeacn-
ment proceedings against him, so tha-
10 might convene legally and so his
opponents would not think he was
trying TO run from them" was ques-
toned by NJ. ". Crane. counsel for the
house board OF managers
isn't il true" he asked. that pre-
viouslv YOU had denied the authority
OF the legislature to start impeach-
ment proceedings at this particular
session. because il was called for an
other purpose, the passage OF the uni
versity appropriation"
Was for Defence
That's true" replied the governor.
The denial was in may reply 10 the
bill Of impeachment Whatever may
have been my reason for calling the
session. I did not intend TO surrender
my right 10 any defence I might
have"
The governor in answer TO further
questions repeated that he issued war
rants Tor groceries. meats and VeEe-
tables at the executive mansion after
all the courts. up TO the supreme
court. had held this could not be done.
Questioned regarding the letter OF
criticism he wrote 20 judge a G.
Brook, Of the district court Of appeals
at Beaumont, cr1uCisiuE the courts
decision in a case in which the gov
ernor was interested the witness said
that judge Brook had appealed 20 him
for a letter OF political recommend /
tion and he was giving his reason for
refusing him the recommendation.
Just Guessing Out' the Court.
But YOU sent copies OF the letter
to the other judges OF the court" in
teriected Mr.. Crane Had they writ /
ten you.'
Ne said the governor Il was Just I
exercising my right 20 cuss out the I
court"
An unexpected turn in the examina- /
ton let in a number Of documents Of |
which neither side had counted
Would Make All Work
Senator Dayton today introduced a ]
bin in the senate. which II enacted ]
into law, would require every able 4
and so in the state OF Texas. 10 work
during the period Of the war, whether
such person has property or not The 4
bill authorizes the governor 10 assign
such persons TO work carried on by
the state or by counties or by private
employers.
Senator Dayton said the object OF
this measure is TO put an end TO idlers
IN Texas during the period OF the war
This act is along the same lines as
! law passed in Maryland.
VIII Be 10 Investigators.
The senate today reconsidered its
lotion Of creating a committee OF II
senator's to conduct an investigation
II the state departments and institu-
ions and amended the resolution BY
~rrrrr her Of fv-r-aaef 49,