New Britain herald., 1927-11-02
FALL CALLS JUDGE MINDED MAN Former Secretary Disappointed
 By MiStrial Order WANTS TO DEFEND SELF

portunity to Free Himself of the
 Charges Which Discreslited Him
 in the Eyes of His Countrymen.
 Washington, Nov. 2 LP>-Express- ing regret over the mistrial of the oil case, Albert B. Fall said today that Justice siddons took the ob- viously right course"
 "rhe fair and impartial trial guar anteed to every citizen by the con- stitution Of the United States has been made impossible by the pub licity of the last 4S hours, irrespect- i've of any other consideration" Fall said. "The determination of Mir. Justice Siddons to accord a fair trial has been manifest in this case-
 Disappointed By Result
 Personally 1 greatly regret and am deeply disappointed by what has just occurred. In ill health l came here for this trial It offered me the first opportunity to present 10 a court and jury my defense to charg- es which have been made the foot ball of politics and the delight of the muckraker for more than three years.
 "Only the evidence of the prosecu- tion has been presented. Not one word had been said in connection with my defense when this case end ed. The time for my counsel to out line the defense had not arrived.
 Wants to Refutc Charges
 "I had expected that within the week our opportunity would come l was prepared completely to refute the charges against me and l enter taincd no doubt whatever but that a verdict of acquittal would be render cd because l am confident that my defense would convince every fair man of my integrity and the complete rectitude of my every ac- ton in connection with the Teapot Dome lease.
 During the more than three years which have passed since the naval oil reserve leases became the sub ject of political investigation there have been two civil cases and one criminal case tried. I was not 8 party to either of the civil cases. could not be made a party or even be represented by counsel in either of them. I was not called to tcsti- fy in either.
 Was Not Called
 "The government summoned me as a witness to the civil trial of the o-called Teapot Dome case at Chey- enne. I went to Cheyenne to testi fy but the government did not call me to the witness stand.
 "At no time since the indictment was returned in this case have l been given my day in court to re- spond to the charges made in that indictment. In the one criminal case l was accorded fair trial and promptly acquitted, in that case every fact relating 10 the transaC- lions attacked was fully, frankly and truthfully laid before court and jury.
 If 1t Is said that l did personally testify in that case, it need not be remembered that my co-defendant, Mir. Dohony, testified in great detail and that, as my testimony would been but a repetition and Corrobora- ton of his, counsel in charge of the conduct of the trial saw no need of that mere repetition.
 Never Interviewed Jury
 "As regards the jury in the case just ended, l have only this to say;
 T never saw one of the mon or women on this jury before the day this trial began. l never heard the name of any person on the jury be- fore that name was called in court the first two days of this trial. l never had the slightest knowledge regarding the occupation or lives or family or business or other Ccnnec- ton of any juror.
 After the jury was selected I knew no more about them than l did before except what l learned from their daily appearance in the court room. Neither directly nor in did l or anyone on my be- half have any communication of any kind with any member of the jury. Neither directly nor indirectly did anyone on my behalf have the jury under surveillance. In this trial. as in the trial to which I was q party last fall, l relied upon the strength which the presentation of the de- fense would disclose and upon no other thing.
 II am read for re-triul immediate Iy. l am sorry the government finds that impossible. ] particularly re- sret the delay because of the state of my health. l fear my inability to with the rigors of Washing ton climate during q trial in the win ter. When this case is finally tried md all sides have an opportunity to be heard, my defense will be con- plete."