New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-25
SIlllulLISn Up
IN OKLA. PROBE
Ll1dr 0lf5s d Impeachment
Ndd A9aihst Johnston

Oklahoma City. Jan. IS O0-The
cold, searching eye OF the state
legislature today rested ON spiritual
ism and Hindu philosophy ~ alleg-
cd factor, In influencing the regime
OF Governor Henry 8. Johnston. now
under suspension. and facing Inn
parchment
Out OF the maze OF testimony.
charRes, tales of strange Hindu
chants and mystic Oriental philoso-
ply practiced by those behind the
governors chair. one bit OF prac-
teal action stod out, the addition OF
another charge Of impeachment to
the seven already voted against the
chief executive by the house OF
representatives.
This charge dealt with the much
discussed pardoning by Johnston OF
Dewey Crossthwaite, = convicted
murderer, In December 1928. while
Crossthwaite was listed as a fugitive
from justice.
The charge was voted after deter
mined opposition delayed action by
tho house for considerable time
Yesterday and physical combat was
ayerted only by quick intervention
of house members when the lie was
passed a opposing factions flared
into anger during spirited debate.
House to Act
The house has yet to act upon
two charges brought by Its investl-
eating committee which yesterday
delved farther into alleged admins
trative irregularty,i brought
to nght the first hint Of occultism
to which belief 1t has been said he
governor himself adheres.
Weird tales of an apartment.
draped ''in Oriental splendor,"
where pots Of incense burned and
James r. Armstrong hummed what
seemed to be q part OF q ritual
were dragged from the reluctant lips
Of H. E. Sullivan, the governors
secretary, by members Of the house
committee.
Armstrong IL Governor Johnston's
political adviser. and an uncle of
Mrs. o. o. Hammonds, confidential
secretary of the chief executive,
and often spoken Of as the MRS.
Colonel House. OF the administra-
ton.
Sullivan. repeatedly interrupt;ng
his testimony with spirited protests,
said he had gone to Armstrong;
home at the request Of the governor
to get Armstrong; opinion on
legislative bill under threat Of being
Jailed for contempt Sullivan testi-
fled that Armstrong had five or six
pots Of incense. He was lighting
them when ! came into his bed
ROOM"
John Head, committee chairman.
asked Sullivan II Armstrong chant
ed.
Asks for Sample
what do you mean by chant?"
Sullivan asked.
did he mako any peculiar
Eoises:'
Il think you are very unkind,"
the witness objected.
Give us = sample OF the hum
ming"
Sullivan. former deputy sheriff
and matter Of fact sort of man
squirmed in his chair. smiled faint
~. and remained silent.
WAS he humming a religious
song?" Head prompted. WAS that
chanting or whatever you cali 1t
such ~ to make you believe 1t was
a part Of some religious ceremony,
or ritual. or Hindooism?"
ut seemed to be-" he responded.
Sullivan said Armstrong; room
was 4 mice bedroom"
How did 1t differ from other
rooms?"
We'll, It was dressed up In SONG
kind Of yellow goods"
You'd say Oriental splendor?"
well, ia say TO-" Sullivan re-
piled.
Sullivan also said Johnston had
called him into the executive offices.
after the house investigation had
been under way for some time, and
had declared:
"Damn you. Sullivan. you've got
10 shoulder the responsibility for
the PARDON" abiding to the Cross
thwaite clemency act.
The secretary testified that Mrs.
Hammond, had declared at one time
that Johnston was absolutely In
competent" and IL it wasn't for her
the administration would go on the
rocks"
Received Money
Armstrong, called before the SEN
ate investigating comrSittee. said no
had received contributions from
road contractors to go toward John
ston's defense fund, when he was
threatened with impeachment last
winter. The senate committee has
been instructed to trace rumors that
money entered into the sudden ces-
sation Of these Impeachment activi-
ties in December, 1927.
The threatened physical encounter
occurred when. during argumen.
on the impeachment article then up
TOR consideration, Charles Moon. OF
Muskogee. and Bob Wagner of Wag-
oner county, disagreed. Order was
restored after other legislators in
tervtAed.
The senate impeachment court,
which has been organized to try
Johnston on five articles presented
by the house. was due to reconyene
today. but as the governor is not
to appear before it until next Mon
day. senators said they believed only
routine organization matters would
he handled.
Book Sale Realizes
Total Of 81. 721 49,