The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-03-03
HEPBURN REFUSES
TO LET GOVERNOR
TESTIFY TO JURY
County Attorney Tells Rob-
|ertson He Cannot Super
sede Him, But High Of
ficials Warns Him.

OkMULGEE. Okla.-In a dramatic
cene In the court house this morning
county Attorney James Hepburn re.
used to consent TO Governor Rob.
rtson's request to appear before the
istrict court grand jury which is
Investigating the failure of the Bank
Commerce and emphatically declar-
d that Governor Robertson could not
upersede him in the probe. Cover.
or Robertson retorted he had the
over to supersede the county at.
orney.
mo witness is going before that
rand jury without my consent, l
ont give damn If he is the gov
rnor." County Attorney Hepburn
houted. striking q desk with his
linched fist. Il am going To tell you
ust as + told George Short TO tell
on the other morning that no man
going to supersede the county at
orney OF sthis county" Hepburn ad.
ed: "You haven't got the power to
upersede me, governor"
you know better than that. jim, |
ave got the power to supersede you"
Governor Robertson replied.
Lydick Speaks up
J. d. Lydick of Oklahoma City, who
accompanied Governor Robertson to
'ounty Attorney Iepbun's office
When the interview took place this
morning, after several efforts to in
errupt the change Of remarks be.
ween the governor and the county
ttorney finally succeeded in gaining
he attention of the two men and said;
r 'Mr. Hepburn, we have come TO pre-
ent this letter to YOU and we do not
are TO discuss any other phase of the
natter with you. If ! can't talk TO YOU
without having the desk in front of
ne pounded to pieces, we will not re-
nain."
~. txNuck mad just presented Coun-
y Attorney Hepburn with the letter.
"Well, want to be courteous, I"
,ounty Attorney Hepburn replied. do
understand you represent Governor
Robertson"
"In the matter of presenting this
etter, l do represent him. ] present
in his behalf" Mr.. Lydick said.
Carried Staff Along
Governor Robertson. his secretary,
Zoe O'Brien and his body guard. vii.
lam Tilghman, arrived here early to-
lay and after breakfast went TO the
ourt house, arriving few minutes
fter County Attorney James Hep.
,urn had entered his office.
Mr.. Lydick introduced Governor
Robertson to Mr.. Hepburn and a few
commonplace remarks We're exchang.
I'D. Governor Robertson. Mr., O'Briep,
Z rilghman and Mr. Lydicl followed
he county attorney into his private
n,ffice and Mr.. Hepburn took a seat
Ut his desk. Governor Robertson and
he others present remained stand
Eng.
And Fuss Starts
\ County Attorney Hepburn and Gov
,srfnor Robertson launched into a dis
Nussion OF their recently exchange OF
etters. Mr.. Hepburn told Governor
Robertson he had been misinformed
concerning recent events in okmul
zee.
you could have found out the
ruth by sending some reputable citi
\ gen here Mr.. Hepburn said. u
hink did obtain by information
ellrom a reputable source" Governor
robertson said.
Mr.. Hepburn declared Governor Rob
,rtson had made unwarranted attack:
IN him and ION the good citizenship
II Okmulgee." Governor Robertson de
liied the correctness OF Mr.. Hep
li,burn's statement.
n Mr.. Hepburn declared attacks oil
lin had emanated from Mr.. Lydick'i
)ffice. Governor Robertson stated h'
'chesented the attacks which had beer
Idvnade on him by County Attorney
and said he desired TO g
hc,efore the grand jury.
ON Il don't know what the grand jur!
re,will do. don't know that II is goint
iu,..o indict you. governor" Mr.. Hepburn
yoJaid.
ey The crowd which had gathered ii
laIr. Hepburns office and outside tn
,enioor withdrew so that the Officials
nj might confer.
be Mr.. Lydlck f.. after presenting Gov
ls ,rnor Robertsons letter TO MIR. Her
'r,urn stated he desired TO present {
IS .opy OF It TO the foreman Of tn
a yand Jury IL Mr.. Hepburn would In
introduce him to the foreman
an The letter was later turned owe
a 70 the grand jury.
M, No Statements Made
v,s Governor Robertson Indicated dui
cong the interview that he had no do
sire to arbitrarily supersede Mr.. HeI
\vurn IN the conduct OF the probe.
90, 'I don't care TO make any STATE
a nent," Governor Robertson said. 70
h.. lowing his conference with County A
,e.. sorney Hepburn, other than to sa
IL, that Mr.. Hepburn and are thorough
,olly in accord on the banking situate
,ocan okmulgee. / am satisfied AIR. Hel
Tpurn and Attorney General short WI
.n,come as near solving the problem {
=, r,reorganizing the bank and paying I'll
~, ,depositors as soon as possible Co
a.. ernor Robertson declined to make an
a statement relative to tho grand jury.
ad ,.t-
"a Mrs. Effie Gee. county prohatio
officer. who has been quite III se'
'-.ral days, has recovered sufficient
-. ,.n.,,,,o hes. dutle4 nj the cot