The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-25
N. Y. MAYOR,
|. SEADURY TILT
IN GRAFT QUIZ
Bedlam of Applause, Kisses
and CatCaIIS Marks
Walkers Show
FRANCHISE UNDER FIRE
Walker Admits Support,
but Cites His Pledge of
Scent Fare.
FRANCHISE UNDER FIRE
BvUnifcd Press


NEW YORK, May 25.-In a bed
lam Of applause, cat calls and
Kisses, Mayor James J. Walker
fenced verbally with Judge Samuel
Seabury today, relentless prosecu-
tor, when he appeared before the
Hofstadter legislative committee, in
vestigating the Tammany hall-con-
trolled city administration.
The 600 persons. WHY had crowd
ed into a room whose accommoda-
tons called for only 325. were given
the show they had expected when
the glib tongued mayor faced the
suave, quiet spoken prosecutor.
Walker alternately defled, sneered
and chided the gray-haired Sea-
bury. while the crowd made noisy
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS cheering and
many kissing.
The Equitable Coach Company
petition for a franchise to operate
the city's transportation system was
the subject around which Walker
and Seabury fenced.
Walker admitted proposing the
petition for adoption and voting for
it, but called attention to his cam
paign pledge of "a scent fare to
justify his action.
Wage Bitter Word Duel
Seabury had brought out the
franchise issue first, IN an attempt
to strengthen the structure he has
built up in a year Of investigation,
showing alleged financial deals con-
Meeting the mayor at about the time
the Equitable sought the franchise.
The duel got bitter. and the noise
more deafening, as the hearing pro-
ceeded after a very mild and courte-
Gus beginning.
The mayor was debonair when he
entered the court room, dressed in
a blue ensemble.
We'll, judge, here We are" he re-
marked.
And then the questioning started.
1t proceeded almost casually I'M
till the mayor challenged the state
ment. that no investigation had been
made of the financial backing of the
Equitable company.
II don't care whether you believe
it or not, it is in the record" Sea-
bury remarked.
Tension in Hearing
"I know you don't care what I
believe, and that goes double,
Walker retorted.
Tension increased as Seabury at
tempted to get Mayor Walker to adj
NIT stating to Senator John Hast
ings-a Democratic friend, who
made S135,000 in various positions
which the committee has implied
had political significance - that
Walker would back the Equitable
franchise if Hastings had no stock
interest in Equitable.
You're simply making political
speeches, Mr.. Walker" Seabury re-
marked, in the course of the inter
change.
We'll, they're pretty good" Walk
er retorted. Did you ever lister
to any Of them? I heard yours at
Cincinnati, and it wasn't so hot"
Has Appreciative Audience
He referred to a speech Seabury
made in the Ohio city urging reform
in city government.
As the cheers for Walkers re-
marks continued, Seabury remarked
that the mayor had AN appreciative
audience"
Il don't have to come here for an
appreciative audience" Walker re-
piled.
Walker, cheered by soma on his
arrival. was dressed in blue-light
blue shirt, blue tie and double
breasted bite suit.
In the main, questioning centered
on the Equitable bus franchise.
Walter admitted he sponsored
and voted for granting the Equit-
able contract-as against other bids,
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