Milford chronicle., 1932-10-28
HALT ONE-MAN
INQUIRY INTO
DEL. PRIMARY
[COntinnsd from First Pags]

Democrats, as counsel for the sub
committee of one. He opened the
hearing by calling J. Simpson Dean,
treasurer of the Better Government
League of Delaware, to the witness
stand.
AT this point Caleb S. Layton, at
torney, of the law firm of Richards,
Layton and Finger, arose and in
formed Congressman Black he was
counsel for Mr.. Dean who had been
summoned to testify and bring with
him the leagues books and records.
Mr.. Layton requested Congressman
Black to produce the credentials
which authorized him to act as
cOmmitte-of-One. The Congressman
replied he had read them at the first
hearing.
May l see them?" Mr.. Layton
asked. Congressman Black produced
a letter from Congressman Heartsill
RagOn, chairman of the committee,
directing him to come to Delaware
to investigate certain allegations in
connection with the delegate cleo
tion.
Have you no authority other than
that?'' MIR. Layton asked. HAS the
full committee met and authorized
an investigation"
81 am not here to answer ques-
tiOns," replied Congressman Black.
rs Mr.. Dean going to testify?
have the authority. The House pass
ed a resolution and the letter from
the committee chairman authorizes
me to come here. DR.. Dean was sub
poenaed regularly"
Mr.. Layton emphasized that Mr..
Dean was willing to- testify if Con-
gressman Black showed additional
authority.
II have letter here from a men,
ber of the committee stating that
the committee has never authorized
an investigation" added Mr.. Layton.
'Will you allow me to read it,"
mol" replied the Congressman.
Again ask, will Mr.. Dean testify?"
He will not unless the authority
requested is shown" Mr.. Layton an
Swered.
you have no standing here" the
Congressman told Mr.. Layton. Il
don't want to have to call the SER
geant-at-arms. We are not bound to
allow counsel at this hearing"
MIR. Dean will testify if you show
proper authority to conduct this
hearing" Mr.. Layton reiterated.
Congressman Black requested the
stenographer to note on his record
that Mr.. Dean refused to testify on
advice of counsel.
Mr. Doan parrUino a mort tfOliO Of
books and records, and Mr.. Layton
then left the courtroom.
The same method of procedure !
was used by several other witnesses. |
William R. Murphy, postmaster at |
Milford, was called.
Mr.. Murphy testified he spent an |
hour and half at the polls on cleo |
tiOn day, passed out no money and |
saw none passed out, and did not So |
licit any votes at the polls.
In answer to a question concern |
ing his political activity he replied !
that his political activities never in !
terfered with his duties as post (
master.
magistrate Harry B. Thaw, of |
Milford, was called He testified that +
le IeCelVeu 9z0U IhIouSH Ihe Ie6 uldl
channels of the Kent County Com
mittee and used this money to pay
political workers, about eight in !
number, who had spent from one to /
six weeks in canvassing the district.
He denied he received any other
money and denied any was used for
Illicit purposes. He said that he even
spent some of his own money to de-
fray legitimate expenses. In his
district there were 654 registered
voters, he said.
At this point the two Democrat
broke in with questions.
81 wish council wouldn't ask these
questions until some foundation for
them is laid" said Congressman
Black