Evening star., 1926-04-22

| Pro1aclnS violent three hOur cross
examination of DIR. William A. White,
superintendent Of St. Elizabeth's Hos
| pital, with the announcement that
| the asylum and I'm going to the
| country to have it done If necessary
Representative Blanton, Democrat
! Texas. last night at the second meet
| ing of the House District Subcommit-
| tee investigating general conditions
| in the District of Columbia, declared
For 23 years there has been mis-
management at the institution, and
| wrongful and unlawful actions with
| Fenning."
Representative Blanton at the out.
set Of the meeting pounced upon the
witness, who occupied q chair next
| to him, and charged him with vioiat-
| ing the law for selling" his testimony
in court cases outside of the District
of Columbia and with holding persons
| of sound mind in his hotel"
DIR. White protested against the
manner and tone adopted toward him
| both last night and at Tuesday night S
| meeting, which was in executive ses.
sion. He declared he came to the
| committee to give information" but
sit appears I am under accusation"
Declares Doctor Is Accused.
You are, Doctor" interrupted Mr..
| Blanton. Mr.. Chairman, DR.. White
might just as we'll understand now
that he is under accusation"
The witness continued that at Tues
day nights meeting the "accuse~'
| employed every known means of
| cross-eXamination ito gain from me
some damaging admission"
You have it exactly right. doctor"
Mr.. Blanton again interrupted.
The story appearing in The Star
yesterday afternoon, quoting DR..
White as saying he was treated as a
pickpocket" and was not informed OF
the purpose of his presence, was
brought to the witness attention by
Chairman Gibson, Republican, of Yer
mont and Mr.. Blanton, who asked If
he had been correctly quoted. DR..
White stood solidly behind the story,
which also credited him with request
ing that the hearing be open.
He says in the paper he wants an
open hearing" declared Mr.. Blahton.
I'm opposed to it, but am willing to
let him have it and let his peers hear
it and judge his testimony"
Vote Open Session.
Representative Gilbert, Kentucky
the only other Democratic member
was in favor of an executive session
and deplored the fact that the COM
mittee 'let the papers scare it into
open session" Representative Bow.
man, Republican, West Virginia; Rep.
resentative Houston, Republican. Della
ware; Chairman Gibson and Mr.. Blan-
ton voted for the open hearing.
The testimony of Crandall Mackey
formerly commonwealth attorney of
Virginia, was utilized by Mr.. BlantOn
to Jog" DR.. Whites memory of cases
where he had given his expert opin
ions in lunacy cases. Mackey also cited
several instances where persons ''of
sound mind had been incarcerated'
at st. Elizabeth's Hospital.
DR.. White at first showed much an
noyance at the manner in which Mr.
Blanton launched into his cross-ex
animation, answering questions with
a brusque mo- and What difference
does that make?" AS the minutes
drew on and the fire became more
| intense, the witness adopted an in
| different attitude, answering the ques
tions regardless of the way they were
asked.
Refers to Virginia Case.
Mr.. Blanton asked the witness II
several years ago in the case Of Col
w. c. Shelly, who sought to have his
wife judged insane. The witness re-
piled, he could not recall.
He paid you $500 for the testi'
mony," declared Mr.. Blanton.
when was it," asked DR.. White,
adding. Il don't remember it,"
The Texan said the jury found Mrs.
Shelly was sane land you got $500
for testifying. You don't want to deny
it, doctor, because 1 have the
proof. Mrs Shelly's attorney, man
named Thornton, afterward became
a Judge, and when you were called to
testify in a big estate involving a
million dollars, Judge Thornton asked
Aren't you the DR.. White who testi-
fed Mrs. Shelly was insane" and you
said Yes, sir, but made a mistake.
And didn't Judge Thornton say he
couldn't accept your testimony in
that case?"
II do not remember that. But
do remember now, seeing Mrs
Shelly in consultation" DR.. White
replied. Il don't believe l ever testi-
fed in the Shelly case"
Didn't Judge Thornton say be-
cause of your testimony in the
Shelly case he couldn't accept your
testimony in this case?"
Denies Blanton Statement.
II deny it to the best Of my knowl-
edge and belief"
"All right, now,. were you ever in
Cleveland?"
Chairman Gibson interrupted to
ask if the purpose of the examina-
ton was to SHOW the law had been
violated by DIR. White for accepting
fees to testify.
Absolutely" replied Mr.. Blanton
It's an absolute violation of the law
to go out and testify"
DIR. White admitted such would be
violation, but he didn't concede
| he violated the law, declaring testi-
| mony he gave at times was during
| his vacation.
When the witness said he never
was in Cleveland. Mr.. Blanton de-
clared he was prevented from testi-
| flying in court there because the
| prisoner did not claim insanity.
! Representative Houston inquired i
the power of subpoena to testify
in a court did not include such Gov
ernment officials as DIR. Wh&e. Mr.
| Blanton replied, There is no power
on Gods earth to take him out o.
Dicfy-ict'b -