The New York herald., 1922-07-01
Tells Investigators Judge
Was Used by the County
Association.
J. l.. BOTH CHARGES DEAL
Says Leniency Was Promised
if He Could Get Father to
Go Against Weston.

down to Nassau county to be used as
vehicle by the Nassau County Asso-
citation to besmirch the reputation of
almost every public official holding Of
fee in the county"
This prediction was made to Justice
Selah B. Strong by James E. Stiles,
proprietor of a string of newspapers
on Long Island and president of tho
South Side Observer Company, during
a conversation regarding political con-
ditions in Nassau county at a time
when the Both & Weston road con-
tracts, the George L. Thompson charge
and other matters were under consid-
! GRAFTON by the Grand Jury.
Mr.. Stiles was a witness yesterday
before the jerks Legislative Commit
tee which is hearing charges OF buse
of power against Justice Strong. He
admitted that he was n protege OF
Hiram r. Smith. chairman of the
Board of Supervisors of Hampstead.
and possessed violent antipathy T.
the methods employed by the Nassau
County Association In it's efforts 10
clean up" the county.
Laws Down Law to Judge.
He said he was summoned to the
Judges chambers. but refused to sign
waiver of immunity. He defended
Senator Thompson, who was accused of
accepting a pledge of denomination in
return for failing to further bills affect
ing the county.
Il told him that there was no more
honest Senator in the State than George
L. Thompson" Stiles testified. "and that
his attacks on Hiram Smith were unfair
as he was at Palm Beach in a paralytic
condition and unable to reply to the
charges. ] said I would consent 60 an
investigation Of my affairs by the Dis
trict Attorney or any authorized official,
but I would not let the Nassau County
Association take my books and records
If there was any law to prevent It,"
The road contracts obtained by Both
& Weston were under discussion at the
time, and Stiles related that he told JUS
tice Strong he believed the highways
were being construed in Nassau county
as cheaply as in any part of the State
and more cheaply than in the neighbor-
ing county of Suffolk.
The testimony of John l.. Both. son
of John Both of Both & Weston, tended
to show that G. Wilbur Doughty, the
Republican leader Of Nassau county. and
Hiram r. Smith. were the two men JUS
tice Strong was particularly anxious to
indict Both testified that Justice Strong
had summoned him to his chamber to
make deal whereby his father would be
dealt with lenently provided he would
testify against Weston and tell all he
knew Of the road contracts.
Edgar T. Bracket, counsel for Justice
Strong attempted to show that the
younger Both had come in the role of
suppliant for his father. and at the same
time was seeking information regarding
the rumors that his father was not get
ting his legitimate share of the profits of
the company. This the witness denied.
He quoted Justice Strong in substance
as follows:
"I am trying hard to indict your
father and I believe I can do It, IL
I don't indct him the first time / will
send It back to the Grand Jury. If
he is indicted Weston will probably
crawl from under and put your father
in a bad predicament."
Later on Justice Strong, according 70
position by saying:
''I do not want to indict your father.
7 am trying to get G. w. D. and H. r. s.
am not expecting much assistance
from the District Attorney, as he is
looking for another term. 1t would b.
wise thing for your father to tell us
all he knows, and We will make 1t easy
for him."
The witness was asked II he had not
l..
father.
mo, sir knew my father could take
care Of himself. I didn't go there TO
plead, because I knew my father was
innocent"
Refutes "Damn skunk" Talk.
John J. Rooney. the Official stenog-
rapher assigned to the Mineola court
house, contradicted the testimony OF
three witnesses at the previous hearing
to the effect that Justice Strong referred
to Elvin N. Edwards. president of the
Nassau County Bar Association, as a
damn little skunk" He said he was
seated within three feet of the Judge |
during the conversation with isaac T. |
Flatto and heard virtually everything |
that was said.
The defense sprang a surprise by OBJ |
tanning statement from John r. Hill |
foreman OF the December Grand Jury. |
which had the Booth G. Weston charges
under consideration. to the effect that !
George N. Bode. a member OF the
grievance committee of the Nassau |
Bar Association, had tried to |
fnd out what instruction Justice Strong |
had given.
Mr.. Bode produced a paper with the |
questions and answers In his talk with |
the Jury foreman set down by a stenog-
rapher, showing that there was no at
tempt at secrecy. although there was an
effort to find out what
Justice Strong had said to the jury. }
Foreman Hill refused any information.
The hearing was adjourned until
July 10.
MAGISTRATES SWORN IN.