The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-05
Body Then Begins to De-
bate Effort to Reprimand
Mitchell.
FARCE LASTS TILL AM.
Mayor Backed by Army
Mems Testimony OH the
Rockaway Fort Deal.

AlsANr. April 5, Thursday.--By
vote OF sc to 12 the Senate at 1:45 this
morning adopted a resolution which
stated that the evidence showed that
Senator Wagner was guiltless Of the
charge made by the Mayor and which
declared the investigation ended. There
upon Senator Thompson of Niagara. OBJ
tscting to any procedure that let Mitchell
of without a reprimand, moved to re-
consider, and again the executive ses-
sion was In a tangle.
1t was becoming apparent. however.
that Wagner would have great trouble
getting a unanimous vote on exonera-
ton
Two resolutions were reported, the
nrst. ending the inquiry, follows:
Whereas. John Purroy Mitchell. upon
his appearance and examination before
the bar Of the Senate has disclaimed
that he intended to impeach or assaii
the loyaty and patriotism Of Senator
Robert F. Wagner, and thereby has dis
posed Of the questions to be determined
In these proceedings: and
Whereas the evidence shows that the
NEGOTIATIONS BY the United States Gov
ernment to acquire land at Rockaway
Point for fertilization purposes were
pending more than one year prior to the
request for legislation, and
Whereas said land has this day been
acquired by thu State Of New York for
the benefit OF the United States by legis-
lation duly enacted.
"ResoIUed, That the pending proceed
ings be terminated"
The Senate in executive session also
adopted the following:
Resolved, That the Senate takes this
occasion to again unanimously express
It's confidence in the honorable discharge
Of his duty as Senator OF Senator
Wagner and in his loyalty to his coun-
Try and patriotism as a citizen"
ALBANY, April 4.--The Senate's prose-
cut!on Of Mayor Mitchell was suddenly
halted late tonight by an executive ses-
sion for the confessed purpose OF ring
ing down the curtain on farce.
Al $50 p. NJ, after hours OF point
less cross-examination of the Mayor. Sem
aior Newton, chairman Of the steering
committee, asked for an executive ses-
aon.
Senator Newton and his committee
we're bowling to the wishes of big ma
FORTY Of the Senate IN suggesting that
the members 20 OF In a corner and try
to find a quick way out OF the muddle-
some way that would placate Wagner
and not irritate Mitchell. For, after two
days Of as ridiculous a performance as
The New York Legislature ever wit
messed. it became evident that the sen
ate was the main sunerer-business
blocked. time squandered, bitternesses
developing-and to no purpose.
Al! day long the inquiry had simply
moved m circle Of small diameter.
Everybody yawned over 1t except the
lawyers and particularly the lawyers
for Wagner. All day Untermyer had
dragged in decisions of the Court OF Ap-
peals, the early history Of the city OF
New York. the dream books OF real es-
tate agents, the Congregational RECORD
tidal phenomena and records OF the war
Department. for the purpose. 1t appeared.
Of trying to show that Mayor Mitchell
had been engaged in suspicious seeming
real estate activities.
Nothing OF substantial value not al
ready known in his favor was testified
70 by the Mayor or adduced In other
ways. Mr. Mitchell succeeded in repeat
ing emphatically that he had assured
himself that the Governments defence
plans for New York city had received
. setback by legislative opposition in
which Wagner figured.
Col. Abbot Backs Mayor.
Col. Frederick v. Abbot OF the Corps
o. Engineers, L. s. A., corroborated the
Mayor on that score. He made 1t plain
also that he had satisfied himself that
the real estate transactions proposed by
The Mayor on behalf OF the War Depart
rert we're honorable, straightforward
transactions. So that after hundreds OF
thousands Of words. the whole inquiry
boiled down to this:
There was no evidence whatever
tha' Wagner should be considered
f:.,nd OF the Kaiser.
There was no evidence whatever
tha; the Rockaway Point real estate
project had an improper character.
The Mayor continued TO stick by his
original assertion that Wagner had acted
TX" a friend OF Germany. and nobody
N or out OF the Senate saw any way oi
literally disproving that precise observa-
ton. The whole situation was Just
Where u stood originally.
Mr.. Cntermyer Degan his crOss-cxami
ration Of Mayor Mitchell at a few min
utes after 10 a. NJ. and for some hour
sought OBVIOUSLY and with ertraordinar,
particulsrity to show that the transfe'
OF property from the city to the Rock
a"a'-fscifc Corporation was highl!
e-sp!DlppS proceeding.
Another principal purpose Of the cross
examiner Vas to show that the Mayo
mad persisted In mAliciously accusiB:
senator Wagner even after the Mayo
W. aware Of the fact that the m,norit,
and majority conferences OF the Senst'
mad dis pproved Of the specific lezislatioi
NE Mayor 1eflred on the day that th'
Na!o' referred to Senator Wagner
Iayof Mitchell said he had not hear'
tbout the Senate action
II came out presently that tho May d