Evening star., 1932-05-01
SENATORS DEMAND
HONOLULUPARDONS
Convictions Arouse Capitol;
Impeachment Of Judge
Cristy Called for.

The verdict in the MaSsie trial In
Honolulu caused sharp outburstS OF
criticism at the Capitol yesterday. De-
mands for PARDON were uttered by
Senators and talk Of impeachment OF
the judge who presided over the grano
,, Jury. Albert M. Cristy, was heard,
- At the same time a strong sentiment
for q change in the territorial gov
ernrnant of avail was manifested II
naval circles and a report Of Rear Ad-
uiraI Yates Stirling, tr, cornmandant
of the naval base at Pearl Harbor, was
disclosed as showing the necessity OF
direct control by the National Govern
ment. Representative John Rankin,
Democrat. of Mississippi, member OF the
Conrnittee on Territories, voiced this
same sentiment, urging Federal rule
until "mockeries of justice" are ended.
Senator Kenneth McKellsr, Demo-
crat, of Tennessee, who demanded
Senate investigation Of conditions
Hawaii some time ago, declared tnaI
II he. were a member OF the House
he would move the impeachment OF
Judge Cristy. He did not criticize the
trial Judge, Charles S. Davis.
Lewis Urges Inquiry.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis, Dem
ocrat. of Illinois, said President Hoover
should at once start an inveStlgatlon OF
the MaSsie trial, and If the facts are as
they have been given in the press
pardon all four OF the oeienoantS
promptly.
Senator Lewis said the President had
the authority to pardon persons con-
victed In the courts Of Hawaii ana the
territorial possessions. He was a mem
Der of the Territories Committee Wnen
In the Senate formerly. On the oCneI
hand. the Department OF Justice helo
today that Federal officials had no
mower to interfere in such case unless
the crime. was committed on q military
reservation. The Department OF Justlce
held that leniency could be exercised
only by territorial officials. Under TINS
view. Gov. Judd could exercise the par
dor mower but the President could not.
wThe NAVY being the nearest to the
s,lbiect and best fitted for complete IN
vestipation ~ said Senator Lewis, should
he directed by the President to MAKE
to him a report of all the facts, ana II
they are the same as reported curing
the trial the President shoulq use ms
executive prerogatives and promptly
pardon everybody.
1This should be done on the theory
that the territory was given its full
privilege unrestricted to vindicate It's
processes and laws. In this case Mr
Hoover would be sustained by all Ameri-
cans and approved by the just senti-
ment Of the world"
Robinson Adds Voice.
Senator Arthur Robinson. Republican,
OF Indiana. said:
"If I had been on the jury Twould
have freed them. I think the whole
question of administration OF law IN
Hawaii requires a thorough investiga-
tion by Congress. There has been
deplorable letdown in the standards OF
deplorable let-down in the standards OF
It,"
Senator william H. King, Democrat,
Of Utah said:
"I am always reluctant to criticize
courts and juries or to attack the ad-
mtnistration of State or Territory.
However. I cannot help but feel that
the verdict in the Massie case was
miscarriage of justice.
Senator Copeland said:
e"It is distressing beyond words that
80 cruel a verdict could be rendered in
an American possession. No wonder
the telegraph wires are hot with pro-
tests this morning l have received
several such kilograms I join with
every other straight-thinking citizen in
the conviction that something is wrong
in Hawaii"
Senator McKellar said:
IT do not believe the defendants got
q fair trial Local prejudice evidently
controlled it. The indictment was void.
The indictment was found by the Judge
instead of the grand jury: The judge
had no right to find an Indictment He
hoI to raFt,eA ~ rhnafva a ra.
port of no true bill from the grand
Jury. He violated the law in both these
instances.
Calls for impeachment.
HE should be impeached and If I
were member of the House would
move for his impeachment"
AS understood here. the grand jury
was under Judge Albert M. Cristy. The
trial judge was Charles s. Davis
Senator McKellar said he referred to
CriSty rather than Davis in his state
ment.
Senator Hiram Bingham. chairman Of
the Senate Committee on. Territories,
declined to make any public comment.
He does not expect the bills he has
offered on recommendation of the De-
partment of Justice for new legislation
to tighten up the administration of
justice in Hawaii to get through the
Senate this session.
A number of Senators declined to
express their views on the trial publicly,
but there was a strong insistence on
!. the part of some of them that the
President should investigate the facts
and grant pardons to al four Of the
defendants.
Representative Rankin said:
THE verdict in the MaSsie case,
together with the preceding incidents
proves conclusively that the Govern
rnent Of the United States should re-
peal the present law providing for
a territorial government in Hawaii and
place that territory under the direct
rule Of the Federal Government until
white women are secure from brutal
attacks as that made upon Mrs.
Massie."
Only Way, He Says.
THAT seems to be the only way
to put a stop 10 such farcical mock
cries Of justice as have grown out
Of this horrible incident"
In his statement, which he gave to
Seth w. Richardson, Assistant At
torney General during the latter's in
vestigation of Hawaii, Admiral Stirling
argued that the large number of aliens
IN the islands, the strong racial feelings
and the lack of strict control of the
local government by Caucasian ele-
ments made some changes necessary
He pointed out that Hawaii was "a
fortress Of vital importance" to the
United States as a whole and its gov
ernment should be formed with that
IN view.