The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-08
Griffith and COrwine CIinch in
Struggle of Wits.
Thrill of Fight Brings Specta-
tors to Feet in Court.
BATTLE ENDS AT 2:55 P. M.
Mayor Says He Didn't Know of
Old State Statute.
Admits He Did Not Report
Liquor Violations to County.

Not in long years has the district
court room been the scene of such a
battle of wits as when the cross ex-
animation of Mayor H. ]. Corwine by
Charles B. Griffith was conducted to-
day
The cross examination of Mayor
Corwine ended abruptly at 2:25 o'clock
this afternoon, when he stated en-
phatically that it would not be his
policy to report any violations of the
liquor law to the county attorney un-
less he was otherwise instructed by
the legal department of the city of
Topeka.
1t was a battle of giants-the mayor.
with his dignified bearing. admirable
sarcasm and deep resource, and Grif-
fifth with his keen legal mind, forceful
address and determination. 1t was the
climax of four days of testimony that
has gradually increased in interest un-
til today, when the hundreds of spec
tators were fairly brought to their
toes by the thrill Of the fight
Mayor on the Stand.
Mayor Corwine took the witness
stand in his own defense shortly after
o'clock this morning. At IL o'clock
Griffith's cross examination began ami
lasted until noon. 1t was resumed at
1880 o'clock.
The mayors attorneys were con-
stantly on the alert during his cross
examination, and frequently inter-
rupted Griffith on the theory that he
was firing his questions too fast, and
not giving the witness time to answer.
Once Corwine waved them to be silent.
These incidents were the cause of fire.
Quent tilts that had to be quashed by
the court.
On direct examination. the mayor
admitted that he had never reported
any violations of the liquor law in To-
peka to the county attorney, and as.
serted that he had never heard of the
statute requiring it until his attention
was called to it by Police Judge LASH
brook, shortly before the Wark inves-
tigation began. He said he took the
matter up with City Attorney O'Neil
and that the latter advised him that
he did not think it applied to the
office, in view of the passage
of chapter as OF the laws of 1917,
which requires in part that it shall be
the duty of mayors, chief of police and
other officers to report violations to
the city attorney. Whether this sec
probably be a bone of contention in
the trial, and may be the hub around
which the whole suit will revolve.
Told Officers To Investigate.
Mayor Corwine, answering questions
of his attorneys specifically regarding
which the attorney general alleged he
had been advised, but took no action,
asserted that he had been advised OF
the conditions and promptly instruct
ed his police department to look into
them. He said this had been done, to
the best of his knowledge. He said
he had been informed concerning the
Blitz system and prior to the investi-
cation started by Wark had notified
the city attorney and taken measures
- r. 6ld tn
structed his chief of police and chief
Of detectives specifically to enforce
the liquor law.
On direct examination by Col. A.
NJ. Harvey. the testimony was in part:
Mayor Corwine's Testimony.
"It is charged in the petition in
this case that you have wilfully failed
and neglected to enforce the liquor
ordinances of. the city of Topeka dur
ing your term of office. State whether
this is true"
at has been my purpose and en-
deavors at all times to enforce the
law
'I'u ask you if you have. at any
time, instructed any of your officers
to refrain from enforcing the law?"
''I have not
''You heard the testimony of w. c.
Kiley to the effect that you told him
10 hold Frank Leach, your chief of
to hold him down in en-
forcing the liquor law. Is that true
1T absolutely is not"
You also heard him testify that
you told him to go to Katharine Tas-
sci and get 800 for your last cam
paign fund. What have you to say
about that?"
THAT it is lie. conceived in sin and ,
born in iniquity.'
you also heard him testify that you
had told him privately to lay off GER ,
ain houses. What about it?
There is no truth in that state |
ment."
''TII ask you If you instructed any /
one collecting campaign funds for you
10 advise the contributors that they |
would have protection"
NO sir. I did not"
In relation TO the Amy Mckee house
IN Locust street, Mayor Corwine |
stated that after a raid by the police, |
Carl Peterson, head of a building and |
oan association had complained to |
1im that the Mckee woman worked |
,or him, that she was innocent of the |
charges, that there had been some i
mistake and that she was threatening |
/ suit against the city The mayor |
aid he conveyed the information to I
his department and suggested that an |
be made, and that there |
vas evidently some mistake Kiely /
lad testified that the mayor told him |
% lay off that house, because that ]
vas Carl Peterson's friend" /
In regard to the house on Clay /
street, the mayor said he received sevs I
eral reports about it and had asked 1
Doctor Young to call Lieut.. J. In |
Kennedy whenever the time was l
ward raided. he said, but the people (
FroTIl De- Elo~a11