Evening star., 1932-08-12
COURTS MAY DELAY
ruling ON WALKER
Roosevelt to Defer Action
Pending Decision on
Removal Powers.
Continued From First Page.)

New York representative of the bus
concern. Seabury'S analysis held that
Smith provided a letter of credit fol-
$4,000 which financed a trip to Eu-
rope by Walker and some friends.
AS the hearing began Gov. Roosevelt
said: There are two matters 1 want
to make clear"
First. he said. both Seabury and
Walker would be permitted to ask ques-
tions as the hearing proceeds.
Second" he said, ''if the mayor OF
his counsel wishes to cross examine any
witness whose testimony is included IN
the record of the Hofstadter Commit
tee, shall make it possible for them
to do So"
He denied the claim of Walkers
counsel that the Hofstadter Committee
evidence has no standing in this
hearing.
Curtin arose and began to argue
against the Governors ruling admit
ting the Seabury records as evidence.
"I never heard of testimony OF that
sort being admitted as evidence In a
hearing of this sort" Curtin said, "and
I don't believe there is any other law
yer here who ever did, either"
He challenged Roosevelt to cite any
case where testimony of this sort" had
been used as evidence "in proceeding
Of this sort"
Cites Bible as Case.
"The first recorded instance Of the
value of cross examination" he said,
ais in the Bible ITSELF"
He then recited the story Of Suzanna
and the elders, who, repulsed by her,
accused her of improper conduct with
another man.
"She was condemned to death on the
story of the elders" Curtin said. Then
up rose Daniel and said:
Not so fast!"
And So" he concluded, after relat-
ing how the stories of the elders dis
agreed when Daniel questioned them
separately, they put to death not Su-
zanna but the elders"
Curtin argued that Seabury, not
Walker, should submit a list of wit
nesses on whose testimony he relied
most in drawing up his conclusions
against Walker.
you have referred 10 the case Of
Suzanna and the elders" Roosevelt
said II believe that is quite pat.
You, Mr.. Curtin, are in the position
of the prophet Daniel"
Il will not say that his honor Is
exactly in the position of Suzanna-"
Sometimes I feel like it," Walker
threw in.
you, as Daniel, wish to cross examine
the elders" Roosevelt went on, smiling
at Walker. Il have given you that
privilege"
Allows Examination.
MY ruling this morning stands" the
Governor concluded, that is that the
testimony before the Hofstadter Com
mittee is in evidence before this hear
ing and that, if you and the mayor
wish to call any material witnesses
for cross-examination, you may"
Curtin then entered for the record an
objection to the hearing, on the ground
that it was not within the jurisdiction
of the Governor.
AS Curtin continued his prolonged
and involved arguments, Roosevelt ap-
peared to grow more impatient. He
frowned and fidgeted, now and then
conferring in whispers with M. NAL
colin Fertig, his counsel, and Martin
Conhoy engaged as special counsel for
this case.
"I am not the least bit interested in
conclusions" he said as Curtin finished.
After brief tilt between Seabury and
Curtin, on Curtin'S Interpretation of one
of Seabury's conclusions, Roosevelt
turned to the matter Of the Equitable
Coach Co., Inc, and indicated he would
begin questioning Walker.
did you know Senator Hastings was
on the pay roll of Equitable Coach Co.
as far back as September, 1922"
A. 81 didn't know he was on salary
although understood he was interested
in some way"
did you talk with Senator Hastings
about the Equitable franchise?"
A Yes.
If you didn't know he had a finan-
cial interest in the company what did
you think his interest was?
A. knew he was interested in bus
transportation. He had been with other
companies.
Read Hastings Testimony.
Roosevelt then turned to the $4,000
letter of credit purchased by Smith
@. Where was Senator Hastings Of
flee at that time?
A. don't know.
@. Did you know Senator Hastings
had an Office with j. Allan Smith.
A. did not and don't know it yet.
Gov. Roosevelt then read from the
record Of the Hofstadter Committee
testimony of Senator John A. Hastings
to the effect that the mayor had told
him he would aid in financing the
Equitable If Hastings would give him
his word of honor not to buy any stock
Walker said he had never had any
specific discussion with Hastings on the
subject.
@. Did you know Senator Hastings
had any stock ownership?
~
it yet s.n..o. ,,...,,,... ..,s .,oo,s..,,,.
you told him you would aid the Equi-
table if he gave you his word he would
not participate.
A. I didn't pick Hastings out to ad-
dress myself specifically to him. never
had any such conversation with Hast
ings.
Mayor, dislike to do this" Roose-
welt said, but I've got to go back to
your own testimony. I've got to get this
thing clearer"
Walker remarked that he was being
crosS-eXamined
The Governor then read from the rec
ord of the Hcfstadter Committee indi-
eating Walker had testified he had dis
cussed with Hastings the financing OF
the Equitable company.
IF it's the charge that am a friend
of Senator Hastings" Walker replied
''I'n admit it."
Refers to Burchard.
In reply to questions from the Gov
ernor regarding the financing Of the
Equitable proposition, Walker said:
We relied on J. S. White g. CO..
@. When was it that General Electric
was actively interested
don't k0HW that T.anara1
Electric had been interested was indi-
Gated when Mr. Owen Young told me
General Electric had a moral obligation
but not legal obligation, to back the
Equitable.
Walker referred to the late Anson w
Burchard, who, it is said, had promised
his personal SUPPORT of the Equitable