The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-11
ASKS FOR RIGHT TO
FACE ACCUSERS IN
EXECUTIVEHEARINC
Governor Counters With Sug-
gestion That He Tells His
Own Story Of Case
JAUNTY OFFICIAL VANISHES
Disheveled Man Near Tears
Takes His Place as He
Seeks to Defend Self

Executive Chambers. Albany, N. Y,
Aug. 11.-tPl-Excitedly interrupting
his lawyer. Mayor James j. Walker
OF New York dramatically appealed
to Governor Roosevelt for the right
to face his accusers at the executive
hearing which opened Thursday in
the famous hall of the governors"
Roosevelt. smiling, suggested the
mayor tell his story of the evidence
upon which his removal from office
is demanded. Walker then was sworn
in and Roosevelt began to question
him about taxicab legislation which
Samuel Seabury claims was sponsored
by the mayor in return for bonds re-
ceived by the mayor.
His voice quavering, the mayor ap-
peared to be on the verge of tears.
as he besought Roosevelt for permits
sion to nullify the evidence Seabury
had prepared against him.
Gone was the jaunty air associated
with the SLIM boyish looking mayor:
gone too was the sparkling wit made
famous at thousand gatherings. The
mayor was deadly earnest and his
voice was husky, his gestures nervous.
Maybe I'm wrong. but maybe
there was a disposition to railroad
me-" he said.
Il haven't had the right to cross
examine the witnesses. If don't
have it here" he paused, his arms
dropped to his side. 1T means the
end of a career to which I have given
my life. There must be some place
for me. / can't be driven out this
way without chance to look into
the face of my accusers. If this Is to
continue, out goes reputation. out
goes the past and future"
The words fairly tumbled from the
mayors mouth. His shining black hair
was disarranged. His collar wilted as
perspiration poured down his face.
A low-voiced difference of opinion
between Governor Roosevelt and
John j. Curtin. chief counsel for
Mayor Walker. developed soon after
the hearing on custer charges opened.
Roosevelt twice checked Curtin dur
ing his opening statement. caution
ing him to confine his remarks to the
evidence against Walker.
II propose to call things by their
right Names" Curtin said. Il shall
speak plainly. hope my plain speak
ing will be forgiven"
Roosevelt interrupted. directing
Curtin to keep to the evidence and
not discuss personalities.
For IS or 16 months the jury had
been led to believe there is something
wrong with the conduct OF the mayor
of New York"
"Mr. Curtin" the governor inter-
rupted. Il must ask you again to con-
fine yourself to the evidence"
Curtin then declared he believed
the governor should see and hear the
witnesses who appeared at the Hot
stadter committee hearings.
You must give to this defendant
the right to be confronted by the
witnesses and the right to cross
examine them" he said
Governor Opens Hearing
In opening the hearing, Governor
Roosevelt outlined the case against
Mayor Walker, citing Judge Samuel
Seabury's report on the hearings OF
the Hofstadter committee and the
petitions of William Jay Schieffelin
and James E. Finnegan of New York
asking Walkers removal.
He cited the contention governor
could not remove an officer for acts
done prior to his taking office.
Il do not agree with that conten-
tion," the governor said and added he
would consider charges involving the
mayor during his first term of office.
Governor Roosevelt said he would
take up the charges:
First-Those set forth by Judge
Seabury in his analysis.
Second-The charges contained in
Schiefflein's petition.
Third-Those in Finnegan's petit
tons.
Roosevelt referred to q letter he
said he received Wednesday night
from Walker, asking for an oppor-
tunity to examine the witnesses, and
said an opportunity would be given
to both Walker and his accusers Ia
submit to him lists of witnesses they
wished to call. and that, ION due
consideration" he would call the
| witnesses.
THE mayor. as a matter Of alb
solute justice" Roosevelt said, sis en-.
titled to an opportunity to defend
himself and this right will be recog-
nized. If the mayor or his counsel
in their Judgment. require for the de-
tense any witness who did or did no,
previously testify, 1 shall give due
consideration to calling them before
me If I receive the request and the
reason therefor"
Greeted BY Band
Amid the cheering of several thou
sand persons, band music, and dir
Of aerial bombs that must have beer
heard even at the governors resi-.
dence. 10 or IL blocks away, Mayor
and Mrs. Walker arrived In <Alban,
Wednesday night.
i Edward J. and Dan O'Connell, til
brothers who. - Albanys DemocEa'
tic leaders, arranged Z big welcounl
home for Governor Roosevelt a1s0
his return from Chicago : few Weelr
ago. were the first 70 greet WaIker Z
he stepped from his private chr.
n With the hand IN tl1e lad. Inn
dreds followed his car through "a
streets to the Ten Eyck hotel wlaog
he and his friends cccapaed : IN
part q ono QO0g.