Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10
JOHNSTON HEARD
! IN OWN DEFENSE
Suspended Governor Says He
Cannot Understand Much
Blamed on Mrs. HammondS.

ny the Associated Press.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, March Q.
Gov. Henry S. Johnston cannot
understand "a lot of things that have
been blamed on" Mrs. 0. Q. Hammonds,
his former confidential secretary, ne
said today in his testimony before The
State Senate Court, which is trying
him on 10 charges of Impeachment.
Mrs HammondS was mentioned as
the suspended governor detailed &C
complishmentS OF the various State de-
partmentS and institutions in his under
taking to establish his competency 10
continue as chief executive.
He was commenting on testimony of
Sam H. Harris, chairman of the State
Fish and Game Commission, that Mrs
HammondS interferred materially with
operation of that department.
II used to get lot of amusement out
of Harris quarrelS with Mrs. Ham
monds,' Johnston said. las soon as he
would come in I knew they would get
to fighting and I would stand in the
door and listen. I did not realize he
would be so seriously disturbed as he
was"
"A lot OF things have been blamed on
Mrs. Hammonds that I can't under
stand, altogether" the witness said at
another juncture.
Official work of DR.. O. o. HammondS.
who was appointed State health COM
missioner. after his wife became conf
Dental secretary, was laudcd by john
6ton.
DIR. Hanmonds CompIimented.
DR.. Hammonds was described by the
suspended governor as zone of the best
physicians and surgeons in the State"
II johnston is returned to the COVER
nor's chair, his administration will not
include the services of several persons
whose names have become involved in
his trial. The suspended official re-
lated that if restored to office. he would
accept the resignation of Robert Gill.
lam. secretary of the Board of Affairs.
Gillam's resignation, directed to the
suspended governor, was introduced as
defense exhibit. He previously had
SAID also he would not re-employ Mrs.
Hammonds.
State institutions had drawn fire from
the prosecution, which alleged that the
cattle cost the State a good deal more
than they were worth
Johnston, in defending the State
Board of Affairs, at the head of which
he had appointed Gus Wollard. his
friend for approximately 80 years,
testified today that he was not aware
OF the purchase of the cattle until the
herds had been delivered to several
State institutions
Gillian satisfactorily had explained
the cattle deal, SO far as Gillian was
concerned, he safd, but added that they
Smacked of suspicion. Johnston was
not certain whether "crookedneSS or
sharp practice" was involved.
Two Others Would Go.
Johnston further told the court of
Impeachment he would not retain the
services OF H. E. Sullivan, his private
secretary, or Mrs. George w. Wray,
chief clerk in the governors Office.
Sullivan has testified for the prosecu-
ton, denying blame for the issuance of
a pardon to Dewey Crosthwaite, while
CrosthWatte was fugitive from the
State Prison. Crosthwaite's pardon is
the basis of one of the ten irnpeach-
ment charges on which Johnston is be-
ing tried
Johnston testified yesterday that the
pardon was granted solely on Sullivan's
representations.
Mrs. Wray has testified that john
ston was dominated by Mrs Hammonds
IN That the governor did not prevent
MRS. HammondS from excluding visitors.
including State officials, who ought to
nave been admitted to see the governor.
Mrs. Hammonds, the target of con-
centrated fire from the prosecution.
mas claimed only slight share of the
suspended governors testimony.