Evening star., 1932-08-11
Governor Outlines Charges
Against Mayor, Citing
Seabury's Report.
QUOTES LEGAL AUTHORITY
TO DUST STATE OFFICERS
Denies He Can't Remove q Mayor
for Acts Committed Prior
to His Taking Office.
Ry the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Albany. N.
Y, August 1.-THE public hearing of
charges of official misconduct upon
which the removal of Mayor James J.
Walker of New York is demanded
opened at 1887 pm eastern standard
time) today before Gov. Roosevelt.
Only few spectators, largely State
officials and employees, gained admis-
sion to the red-draped "hall Of the
Governor"
The mayor was accompanied by Mrs.
Walker, who wore corsage of orchids
at the waist Of her black and white
gown.
Samuel Seabury entered the cham
Der first with several members of his
staff.
Senator John j. Dunnigan and Irwin
Steingut, Democratic leaders in the
Legislature, and both members of the
Hofstadter Committee, and John j. Nc
Naboe, Democratic member Of the COM
mittee, were already present.
John j. Curtin, Walkers chief coun-
SELL was present.
Seated over at one side, in the lin
tied space left for spectators in a room
filed with tables and chairs for corre-
spondents, was Mrs. Seabury, who mo-
tored to Albany with her husband last
night.
Waiting Crowd Silent.
A crowd, by no means as large or as
-. f.k.
Walker on his arrival last night, waited
in and about the State house. There
was no cheering. Only the pufflng OF
flashlights heralded his approach.
Seated with Walker at a table at one
side of Gov Roosevelt's desk were: Cur
tin, George Corbett, w. S. Palmer and
John j. Flynn, nephew OF former
Gov Alfred E. Smith, all legal assc-
ciates of Curtain, and Reuben Lazarus,
an assistant corporation counsel who
has represented the city at the Hof-
stadter Committee hearings.
Gov. Roosevelt began to read o
statement quoting the State law by
which the Governor may remove public
officers, includin>s mayors.
He read a section of the city charter
whereby the Governor may remove the
mayor Of New York.
He then began to outline the case
against Mayor walker, citing Seabury's
report on the hearings Of the Hof-
stadter Committee and the petitions OF
william Jay Schieffelin and James y.
Finnegan of New York asking Walkers
removal.
He cited the contention that Gov
ernor could not remove an oficer for
acts done prior to his taking ONCE.
II do not agree with that conten-
tion," the Governor said
He said he would consider charges
involving the mayor during his first
term of office.
Gov. Roosevelt said he would take up
the charges:
First-Those set forth by Judge Sea-
bury in his analysis.
second-The charges contained in
Schieffelin's petition.
Third-ThoSe in Finnegan'S petitions.
Witnesses May Be Called.
Roosevelt then referred to letter he
said he received last night from Walker,
asking for an opportunity to examine
the witnesses.
Roosevelt then said an opportunity
would be given to both Walker and his
accusers to submit to him lists of wit
nesses they wished to call, and that, ION
due consideration" he would call the
witnesses.
THE mayor, as a matter of absolute
justice" Roosevelt said, lis entitled to
an opportunity to defend himself. and
this right will be recognized. If the
mayor or his counsel, In their judgment,
require for the defense any witness who
did or did not previously testify, shall
give due consideration to calling them
before me if I receive the request and
the reason therefore"
A low voiced difference Of opinion
Continued on Page 2, Column So