New-York tribune., 1922-03-25
Richards Alibi
Supported by s.;
Roosevelt Aids
CoIonel's Son Kermit Saws
He Knew Tex Ten Years
and Always Considered
Him an Homes Man
Western Friends Testify
Picturesque Characters OF
the Gold Rush Days Say
Good Things of Promoter

Eight witnesses built up an impress
sive alibi for TEX" Richard yesterday
for at least one of the eight occasions
when he is alleged to have been in the
apartment in 20 West Forty seventh
Street with Sarah Schoenfeld and
Nellie Gasko. The remainder of the
defense is to be contributed By thirty
five character witnesses. some of whom
have come from Alaska and South
America, II was $3.50 when Justice
Wasservogel adjourned the trial until
Monday morning.
Kermit Roosevelt, son Of the late
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. was the
first of these character witnesses and
he had an uncomfortable time Of it
finding "Yes" and "No" answers to
some of the questions asked Of him by
Assistant District Attorney Pecora. The
son OF the former President, replying
to the first questions by Max Steuer,
explained that he had been during the
war in MeSopotamia and France.
Then did you enlist in the" Mr..
Steuer was interrupted by Mr.. Pecora s
impatient ooh, | object
"Sustained," said Justice Wasser-
vogel.
"Who was your father. Mr.. Roose.
velt?" resumed Mr. Steuer.
An Honest Man, Says Roosevelt
Mr. Pecora leaped to his feet, but al
most before he could offer an objec-
tion Justice Wasservogel had said:
81 think, MIR. Steuer, that the jury
knows who Mr.. Roosevelt is without
your going into that
Then MIR. Roosevelt, replying to
questions, said that he was steam
ship operator, that he had known "Tex''
Rickard for ten years. had known him
in South America and ir New York and
that he and his wife we're intimate
friends of Mr.. and Mrs Rickard.
What would you say of his general
character and reputation ?"
Excellent An honest man"
DO you know whether your father
knew him, Mr.. Roosevelt ,"
81 object" from Mr. Pecora. and
"Sus stained," from the bench sounded
almost es one word. Mr. Steuer smiled
At the jury and invited Mr.. Pecora to
take the witness.
Mr. Pecora put one foot on his chair
and pointed a pencil at the witness.
Wanted to Aid Rickard
Mr.. Roosevelt" he began "do you
remember in last January coming to
Jhe District Attorneys office in behalf
of this defendant ."
ut was to ascertain certain facts. -
About Mr.. Rickard?"
About the action of the Children's
Society in~ bringing up these cases. "
There was some Of the family yigor in
the replies of the witness
You were doing that for Mr.. Rick
ard?"
4 was doing it for myself"
Wasn't yoar coming to the Dis
tr;ct Attorneys Office prompted by
ut was prompted If equity and
justice"
Strike out the answer" interposed
Justice Wasservogel.
Was it prompted by your interest
n this defendant Answer 'ves' or
no" Mr.. Pecora was shouting now
Yes replied Mr.. Roosevelt, his
voice no longer mild.
'Why didn't YOU tell me that at the
outset?' demanded Mr. Pecora trium-
nhantly.
\ Tip From Rex Beach
Because was hcsitating, with the
ldea that you we're trying to entanglC
me-
My question was simple. wasn't it.
DO YOU think there was any snare il
my questions ."
II was not and am not certain" Mr.
roosevelt seemed to bite each of these
words off of single touch piece
h You communicated with Mr.. Pts.
y sara of the Childrens Society also or
YOUR own initiative -
II had asked Mr., Richards per.
you've known the defendant how
long did you saw"
Ten years"
How old arc you?'
Thirty three"
And before that?'
Through Mr. Rex Beach. the novel
isl, and others" ''0'
Where was Rickard then ?"
IN the Klondke gold rush"
How do you know"
My father told me-
me witness said that he had been
told that Rickard had conducted a
gambling house in those davs
Square Deal From Tex
Ever hear anything as to the char.
acter Of that gambling house ."
Excellent
Who told you?'
"A number of people. Rex Beach.
What did they tell YOU? .
Well, the idea was that if Won bac
dealings with Rickard you were sure
of square deal"
Ever hear that the gambling house
was run in connection with a saloon .
Toe witness was not clear on this
point.
Ever hear that his place bad to dc
with dissolute women ?7
"No"
Well, if you learned that such was
the case would that alter your opinion
of the character of the defendant o.
"DlSsoiute women might get into
reputable places. They do get into
reputable hotels"
Avoids Question About Women
"Ah, and you think that might have
been true of Alaskan gambling houses
twenty years ago? Ii you had learned
that the defendant had employed dis
solute women about his place would
YOU still think him a person Of good
character"
81 would not know how much CON
nection he had
Mr.. Pecora repeated his question
and demanded categorical reply.
''If"-- began Mr.. Roosevelt
Il object to 'if, " shouted Mr.. Pecora,
and then switched to some questions
about Mr. Roosevelts interest in local
coffee houses. He brought out that Mr.
Rickard was interested in the same
venture, but seemed to be checkmated
there when the witness added that his