Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-17
MACKALL DENIES
MITCHELL ACTIVITY
Influence Not Used on Road
Commission by Senator,
Ex.0ffiCiaI TeStifies.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 10
John N Mackall. former chairman of
the Maryland Roads Commission,
again became the star witness before
the grand inquest of the Maryland
Legislature tonight He denied that
Senator Walter ]. Mitchell of Charles
County and Democratic floor leader
of the Senate ever sought to influence
the commission in awarding any con-
tracts
Charges and testimony given on pre-
viouS occasions by Joseph A. Wilmer.
House Republican floor leader, lntimated
that Senator Mitchell had used his in
fluence to obtain for Harold S. Swami.
Charles County contractor, extensions
of contracts. He also charged that
Senator Mitchell had a financial in
tereSt in such contracts.
Mr.. Mackall denied that any favor
1tism had been shown to Mr.. Swami or
to any other contractor in Charles
County. He said that Senator Mitchell
had been active in seeking to get roads
Suilt in his county and that he had. on
occasions, been very helpful to the COM
mission when it met with road building
dlfncultleS IN that county.
However, Senator Mitchell's attitude
in regard to Mr.. Swami was never
overzealous." At no time did he ever ask
the commission to aid Mr.. Swami in
any way Mr.. Mackall also denied that
Senator Mitchell was employed by the
commission to obtain rights of way or
to represent the State in condemnation
proceedings.
Employment of Attorneys.
Attorneys in condemnation proceed
ings we're always employed through the
attorney generals Office and their Sc
lection had the attorney generals ap-
prevail" Mr.. Mackall said.
Mr.. Mackall took the stand after Mr..
Wilmer and Senator Mitchell had spent
the day before the committee in an eff
fort to prove their contentious concern
ing the latter'S interest and activity on
behalf of Mr.. SwannS contracts.
The grand inquest committee met
shortly after IL o'clock this morning
and was in session throughout the re-
mainder of the day except for 30
minute luncheon recess. Some men,
bers of the committee wanted to meet
again tomorrow. but this plan was
finally dropped when it. was decided to
remain in session until O late hour to-
night.
Mr.. Wilmer was the first witness of
the day, taking the stand In an effort
to prove his charges against Senator
before the Nelligan committee in Balti-
more. These charges intimated that
the Senator had used his political in
f1uence to aid Mr.. Swami to obtain eX-
tension contracts and that he was f.
nancially interested in the Swami con-
tracing business.
Floor Leader TeStifies.
The Republican floor leader also gave
testimony which intimated that Senator
Mitchell was employed by the roads
commission as "right-of-way attor-
ney" and that he had used his power to
hold up a contract which had been
awarded to Mr.. Wilmer, who is con-
tractor as we'll as lawyer.
For the first hour that he was on the
witness stand Mr.. Wilmer read into the
record various letters he wrote to or
received from Mr.. Mackall and Gov.
Ritchie and specifications and terms Of
several road contracts. He also read
opinions regarding the legality OF ex-
tending contracts.
Mr., Wilmer reviewed the test case he
brought against Mr.. Swami, charging
that it was illegal to extend contracts.
The Circuit Court in Baltimore upheld
Mr.. Winners contention and Mr.. Swami
vas denied the contract. Senator
Mitchell admitted that Mr.. Swami had
received some extension contracts prior
20 the court ruling that they were ille-
gal He also stated that he was the
financial hacker and guarantor of Mr..
Swami. However, he denied that he
Of if1f1II-
snce to obtain contracts for Mr.. Swami.
Mr. Wilmer said he was not making the
direct charge that Senator Mitchell had
Used any improper influence to get con-
tracts for Mr.. Swami.
But you charge it indirectly" asked
Senator c. Scott Beck, chairman Of the
committee.
Charge Not Made.
"I do not charge that Senator
Mitchell even went to Gov. Richie or
to Mr.. Mackall and sought to get eX-
tension contracts for Mr.: Swami" Mr..
Wilmer asserted. But the assumption
might easily be there when we find
that in two counties the only persons
getting extension contracts were the
State Senators"
was that the only basis you had for
the charge that you made on the floor
Of the House?" asked James j. Lindsey,
jr.. the Democratic floor leader.
II do not care to go into that" re-
torted Mr. Wilmer. 81 do not see why
not" replied Mr.. Lindsey. That is
the reason we are here"
A few minutes later, pressed about
the basis he had for his charge, Mr..
Wilmer said that you could call
witness here who was told by Mr..
Swami that perhaps Mr.. Mackall knew
Senator Mitchell was backing him and
that this might have had some in
fluence in procuring extensions"
Mr. Wilmer said that from the fact
that Mr.. Swami backed by Senator
Mitchell was the only contractor getting
extension contracts in Charles County
and that George Poverty. former Sen
ator and member OF the House from st.
Marys County was the only contractor
getting extension contracts in that
county "a strong inference could be
drawn"