The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-05-19

contest had been filed.
 That similar proceedings were in stituted in other parts of the territory by Wickersham Is evident from a telegraphic despatch received last night by The Citizen from the Mine- of Valdez. This message follows and in some respects is enlightening:
 "In the taking of testimony relative to an alleged contest for the seat of the late Chas. A. Sulzer before l. Hamburger, a loca! notary public. j. l.. Reed represented James Witkc-, sham and A. J. Diamond appeared for the witnesses, soldiers stationed! at Valdez and Ft. Liscum. At the opening of the hearing Mir. Diamond requested the notary to show any au- thority he had for the proceedings. Notary Hamburger replied that HE. HAD BEEN ADVISED by Mir. Wick. ersham that the contest had been fled with the clerk of the house of representatives at Washington. When asked by the attorney for furthe, proof of such filing. the notary re. piled that he had none.
 Attorney Diamund then asked Mir. Wickersham's lawyer. Mir. Reed. to produce proof that his client had le. gally filed contest before the house as required by law. Mir Reed replied that he could offer NO proof. MT. Reed also objected to Attorney Dia- niond's appearance at uhe hearing, declaring that the witnesses HAD NO RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
 Mir Diamond then stated that. un. der the provisions of the governing statute in such proceedings. he would, advise the witnesses to answer no questions. stating further that all the witnesses were ready and willing to give testimony at any LEGAL pro ceeding. but that the present hearing was but farce.
 Captain NJ. Fl. Faust and Sergeant Odel were excused by the notary and Mir. Wickersham's attorney from ap. bearing. It was known that Captain Faust could prove himself a legal resident and qualified voter in Alas ka. Sergeant Odel was excused be- cause he was a republican. At the time MT. Wickersham was in Valdez. shortly after the subpoenas for the hearing were issued. the sergeant met Wick on the street and informed him that he (Odel) Is now and had always been a member of the republican party. Whereupon Wickersham told him to PAY NO ATTENTION to the summons.
 "The remaining witnesses were called and refused to answer to their names or 10 reply to any further questioning. Attorney Diamond an nounced that he desired to enter a protest against the entire proceed. ings. He declared that the issuance of the subpoenas was an abuse of a Judicial process and that Wickersham was fully aware of that fact when he requested the issuance of the writs. United States Marshal Brenne. man was the only witness to testify. He was questioned regarding the vote of Deputy Mossman. of Anchorage, who was present and voted in Valdez at the last election"
 Many people believe that the real reason was not to get evidence to use in any contest. but that Wickersham had some ulterior motive in view. The petition as filed before Judge Bunnell and his opinion as handed down yesterday follows:
 In the District Court for the Terri
 tory of Alaska. Fourth Judicial Di
 vision.
 In the matter of application ol James Wickersham for issuance ol subpoenas under Section no. Revised Statutes of the United States.-No 2454. Decision and Order.
 The petition herein Is as follows:
 Tn the matter of. application oi James Wickersham for issuance oi subpoenas under Section no. Revised Statutes of the United States. No 2454. Petition.
 To Honorable Charles E. Bunncll District Judge. Division I. Alaska:
 Comes now your petitioner James Wickersham by his attorney Nor ton F. Stevens. and respectfully shows to the Court as follows:
 1. That at a general election held in the territory of Alaska on Novem Der 6, 1918, your petitioner was a can