The New York herald., 1920-01-23
JUDGE GIBBS AND
PROSECUTOR IN TILT
Sharp Exchange Of Words En-
llYenS Bronx County
Court.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANGRY
Mr.. Martin Says He Was Summoned
to Abuse and Talks of Charges
to Governor.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANGRY

Heated wprds passed yesterday between
County Judge Louis .. Gibbs and Francis
Martin. District Attorney Of Bronx
county, during an informal proceeding in
The Bronx County Court at which charges
alleging perjury were made against wit.
resses who had testified against John
Morris. formerly a policeman. who was
acquitted by jury Wednesday night of a
robbery charge.
Morris was rearrested Immediately on
charges alleging bribery and was ar
raigned early yesterday before Magistrate
w. Bruce Cobb in Morrisania Court. He
was held in 5000 bail for examination.
Detective Joseph Reilly, of the Bathgate
avenue station. alleged Morris gave David
,Hteider. OF No. sol East l56th street, $40
rs an inducement for him not to testify
at the robbery trial.
Talk of Perjury.
Louis Fridiger. counsel for Morris
charged Wednesday night that several of
%he witnesses at the trial had committed
Perjury. Judge Gibbs expressed himself
Ot the same opinion and directed that
District Attorney Martin should appear
before him yesterday morning for an
Investigation
Mr. Martin and three of his assistants,
including Albert Cohn. who prosecuted
Morris, appeared in compliance with tle
request of Judge Gibbs. The District
Attorney remained seated outside the rail
and refused to rise when Judge Gibbs first
spoke TO him.
''Mr. District Attorney. am speaking
TO you." Judge Gibbs said sternly. II
asked you to appear
You ordered me to appear" inter-
rupted Mr.. Martin.
,r"Ordered or suggested. it makes no diff
Ference" continued the Judge. TT APP
pears that three witnesses in this case
have committed perjury of the rankest
and most flagrant type. One witness
compounded felony or attempted to COM
pound a felony"
Judge Gibbs then said several OF the
witnesses had told him they were re-
quested to call at the District Attorneys
office. where they were held for eight.
nine and ten hours and subjected to
threats of Imprisonment unless they told
the truth. II thought you should know
about this" the Judge declared, $50 you
could take such action a s is justified and
seefif perjury was committed"
Mr.. Martin asked that the charges be
put in the form of an affidavit on in
formation. IF this is a John Doe pro-
i a
or affidavit. I want it done in a lawful
manner. | am going TO bring this to the
attention OF the New York City Bar AS
ISOLATION. and, IL necessary, to the Gov
ernor. There has been influence used in
this case from almost the beginning.
These statements come out of the mouth
OF Morris. l will take the whole matter
before the Grand Jury"
VIII Not BE Iptimidated.
II am not to be intimidated by threats"
Judge Gibbs replied. 'If influence has
been used you may know more about it
than. j do. Furthermore, you have no
right to refer to Morris as a robber. He
has been acquitted by jury OF twelve
men. You have been threatening and in
timidating a great many others in this
county. but you cannot succeed with me.
You attempted to intimidate the late
Justice Brady and others"
Have | been brought down here to be
insulted?' inquired Mr.. Martin.
II tell you here" continued the Judge
that the charges made by witnesses. IL
true, are a disgrace to the administra-
ton of justice in this county, and repeat
it. This court will treat all with courtesy
as long as they conduct themselves as
lawyers should. but II will not tolerate
violent threats"
Mr.. Martin said he was willing to stand
bh iio ltCpIu dS n lawyer ana pubic ser
want. Judge Gibbs indicated that he was
Wiling to do likewise The Judge raped
his gavel for order. but Mr.. Martin would
not be silent
Don't make any wild statements for
the newspapers. he said. I'VE want the
facts"
You threatened Magistrate Mcclellan"
Judge Gibbs said revertng to his charges
OF intimidation, "and il is a notorious
fact that you threatened persons with
Grand Jury investigation. You insulted
Justice George V. Mullens. of the Supreme
Court"
You brought me here TO abuse me-" in
terrupted Mr.. Martin. Either prove the
charges YOU made last night or make
statement that they are not So"
Refers 10 eagle Eye"
Mr.. Martin asserted that he had watched
the Morris trial closely and had been con-
S SSsing for two or three days the ad-
vVDlity OF placing the perjury evidence
hciore the Grand Jury.
Il know Judge Gibbs declared. you
have your cago eye on everything. You
seem TO think that the Grand Jury is for
Your personal convenience"
This is a matter OF jealousy" replied
Mr.. Martin. You have been trying to get
the Grand Jury for yourself for years
You have tried TO take away the duties
OF the Sheriff and the County Clerk for
having a bill passed at Albany"
The District Attorney remarked that it
was the first time he had been in court
Tor months
Il don't care IL you never come into