Evening star., 1932-04-29
ROOSEVELT BARES
ROLE IN BANK CASE
Defends Accused Official.
Tells of Efforts to Avoid
Closing.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, April 29.- In a ses-
sion marked by frequent and heated
argument by counsel, Gov Franklin D.
Roosevelt testified today as a defense
witness in the trial of joseph A.
Broderick, State superintendent of
banks.
At one point, when the Governor
asked permission to ask a question of
Judge George L. DonneIlan, presiding
at the trial, Max D. Steuer, special
prosecutor, replied:
mo, no, no. 1t is absolutely i'm
proper to deliver a lecture in the form
OF question to try to fritter away the
peoples case"
Judge Donnellan offered to excuse
the jury while the Governor asked the
question. II Steuer wished that. The
prosecutor refused. and said if Judge
Donnellan wished to exclude the jury
that would be different matter. The
furry ended by Martin Conboy; defense
counsel, resuming his questioning.
Refuses Cross-Examination.
Sseuef refused to cross-examine the
Governor at the conclusion of his direct
testimony, and Gov. Roosevelt was
excused
Steuer's constant objections to ques-
tions put to the Governor by Conboy
succeeded in limiting the Governors
testimony virtually to the statement
that he knew Of and participated in
efforts to merge the Bank of United
States with stronger institutions,
coupled with an Endorsement of Brod-
erick's reputation as none higher in
the State of New York"
Frederick is on trial for alleged neg
lect of duty in failing to close the
Bank of United States before he did.
At one point, the Governor, speaking
emphatically and raising his voice to
shut out Steuer's protests, declared that
the banks of the State were under the
joint jurisdiction of myself and the
superintendent of banks"
During one of the many arguments
Steuer and Conboy accused each other
of trying to put the Governor on trial,
rather than Broderick.
Conferences Barred
What was considered by the defense
as the most important part of the Gov
ernor's testimony was his statement
that possible merger of the Bank of
United States was discussed at a con-
ference of bankers in his home, 40
East Sixty-f1fth street, early in Octo-
Der, 1890, and that to his knowledge
the attempts to bring about a merger
continued from that time until the
night of December 10. 1880. That was
the night before the bank was closed
by Broderick's order.
The Governor arrived at the court
house under motor cycle escort and
was greeted with cheers by the crowds
in the corridors.
The prosecution has not finished its
case against Broderick, but Gov. Roose-
welt was permitted to testify at this
point SO that he might clear up this
task before leaving for Warm
Springs, Ga.
Gov. Roosevelt said in reply to a
question by Conboy that from the
Autumn of 1929 Broderick was con-
ferring with bankers in an attempt
to bring about merger
The Governor hasn't said that he
was present at any of these confer
ences or lnoWs about them Of his own
knowledge" st uer protested. Il re-
spectfully submit, your honor, that no
other person would be permitted to
Judge Donnellan upheld the objection
and Steuer added:
We're not trying the Governor at
this time"
I'm not SO sure of that, maybe we
are" said Conboy.
That's exactly what counsel is try
ing to bring about" said Steuer.
Not this counsel, but maybe Others"
Conboy retorted.
Uses Forceful Tone.
Gov. Roosevelt turned to the Judge.
and, using the same forceful tone he had
used earlier when he declared the banks
OF the State were under the Joint iuris-
dlction of myself and the superintend-
ent OF banks" attempted to say that
the Governor Of the State had a duty
to perform in his official capacity in
connection with the banking depart
ment, and, therefore, should be permit
ted to testify.
Stop" Steuer shouted repeating the
word several times
1t was at this point that Gov. Roose-
velt asked permission to ask a question
Of the Judge
On Steuer's objection, the Governor
was not permitted to testify about the
details Of conferences at which the
merger Of the Bank of the United States
was discussed.
There were two separate merger
plans, Gov. Roosevelt testified. The
first was to merge the Bank of the
United States with the Bank of Man.
haitian, and the second was to merge
it with group including the Public
National Bank and the Manufacturers
Trust Co. and, later In these negotia-
tions. the international Trust Co.