The New York herald., 1922-03-25
KERMIT ROOSEVELT
AIDS RICHARDS CASE
Calls Accused Man Honest,
Although He Ran Gam
bling House in Alaska.
PARTNERS IN BUSINESS
Witnesses Say Defendant
Was at Football Game on
a Day Named by Girl.
BRIBERY is HINTED AT
Tex, 1T Is Said, Could Have
Escaped Prosecution by
Paying $4,000.
BRIBERY is HINTED AT

mariners in his sporting enterprises
were called by the defense yesterday
to testify as character witnesses and
establish an alibi to prove the hght
promoter was not at 20 or "a West
Forty-seventh street on the afternoon
of November IL last, when he is ac-
cused of attacking Sarah Schoenfeld,
a fifteen-year -old tenement girl. Rick
ard is on trial before Justice Waser-
yogel in the Supreme Court.
Kermit Roosevelt was one of the
witnesses, and he testified that he has
known the defendant for ten years,
having met him in South America,
subsequently becoming q partner with
him in a coffee business. Richard
Derby, Roosevelt's brother-in-law, also
was associated with them, Mr.. Roose-
welt said.
Ferdinand Pecora, Assistant District
Attorney, asked the witness how he had
first become acquainted with Rickard.
Roosevelt replied that Rex Beach, who
knew Rickard in Alaska when the lat
ter ran a gambling house. had told
him about Tex and the old boom times
Sn the Far North.
Asks Roosevelt of Gambling.
.sWhat is your opinion Of the char
ecter OF that gambling house?" asked
the prosecutor.
excellent" replied Mr.. Roosevelt.
"In your opinion, is man who oper-
ates a gambling house which caters to
lewd women of good character?
II don't think a man who runs gam
bling house is of bad character any
more than person who runs church
is necessarily of good character the
witness replied.
Mr.. Roosevelt said he regarded the
defendant as an upright, outstanding
man Of good character" Under cross
examination he admitted he had COM
lmunicated with the District Attorney $
office two months ago regarding the
Rickard case. He denied doing so IN
behalf of or against Eickard. but to
ascertain certain facts
What facts?" asked Mr.. Pecora.
I'm the interest of Justice the witness
answered.
Il move to strike out that answer" i"
said the prosecutor.
why Roosevelt Called Up.
Subsequently the witness admitted he
had communicated with the District At
torney "for personal reasons" In con-
nection with their joint coffee business.
Other character witnesses called we're
Christian p. Dan, who knew Rickard
in the Klondike; John A. Drake former
partner of John w. C'Bet-a-Miliion') D
Gates. and Denver s. Dickerson. for
mer Governor of Nevada. They testi-
fled the defendants character was of
the highest type, and agreed that a man
could be of good character even though
he kept a saloon and gambling place.
Mr.. Dckerson said he knew Rickerd
mt Rawhide and Goldfield, New, and
that he had granted the promoter the
permit for the Johnson-J effries fight
1T Reno after other States had refused
permission.
A crowd even larger than on the pre-
vious days tried to storm the court room
and reserves from the Elizabeth street
police station we're called to maintain
lorder. Richard appeared in court smil-
ing, apparently more pleased with the
progress of his case than on the first
two days of the trial. He chatted cheer
fully with Max ID. Steuer his counsel,
and seemed confident of the outcome.
Lawyer Reviews Richards Life.
Mr.. Steuer began his address to the
iold OF the Alaska saloon and gambling
house and how Rickard had become 50
popular that they elected him Mayor.
lie said he would show that the de-
1endant never went to the West Forty
seventh street houses. where Sarah
Schoenfeld and other little girls say
they were mlstreated, except on two
occasions prior to the alleged attacks
and that these visits were TO inspect
some LIQUOR stored there
Mr.. Steucr hinted at n conspiracy to
bribe the States witnesses. He referred
10 sworn statements he is known to
have obtained to the effect that on
February 81 the promoter was asked to
attend meeting at Eighth avenue and
Frorty-fifth street Rickard was sus-
picious and had himself followed by de-
tcctives.
When he arrived at the meeting place,
his counsel said, he found four men and
there was an offer to destroy the testi-
inony OF the girl witnesses for $50. 900.
Rickard is said to have refused ndig-
nantly.
Football Game I'm Aiibi.
The alibl that the defense hopes to
prove is that Rckard went TO the Dart
mouth Pennsylvania football game at
the Polo Grounds on Saturday after
noon. November IL. and not TO Forty
seventh street with Sarah Schoenfeld
and Nellie Gasko.
The witnesses called by Mr.. Steuer TO
establish his clients presence at the
football game were Frank Coultry,
Richards secretary; William s. Farms
worth. sporting editor of the New York
American; Ike" Dorgan, press agent
for Madison Square Garden; Frank
stevens, son of Harry Stevens. conces-
sionaire at the Polo Grounds, and
Thomas Murphy, Richards chauffeur.
Mr.. Coultry said that he andMr Dorgan
had accompanied Ricknrd to the game
and that stevens had given them box
seats. Farnsworth testified he saw the
defendant sitting in a box with Messrs.
Coultry and Dorgan. Mr.. Pecora asked
the witness who asked him TO testify.
mo one," said Mr.. Farnsworth, Il
came here voluntarily"
Ike Dorgan. under cross-examination,
admitted that Mr.. Coultry had i'm
formed him three or four days ago
that he would be expected to testify
concerning his attendance at the Penn
Dartmouth game. When asked the date
OF the game he said he was positive IL
was October f2. The correct date ia
November IL. The chauffeur and Frank