Evening star., 1934-06-05
'|CKES AIRS CHARGE
AGAINST LAWYERS
Says Lucius Mailman Tried
to Bargain for Island
Governorship.
Ry the Associat ted Press.

CHICAGO, June 5.-Secretary OF
the Interior Harold L. Ickes flung a
bald charge of blackmail at two Chi
cago attorneys today as he took the
witness stand as the complainant ir
disbarment proceedings against them
Ickes asserted Lucius J. w. Malmir
had tried to bargain with him for the
governorship of the Virgin Islands
threatening to file disbarment charges
against the Interior Secretary If he
refused to use his influence with
President Roosevelt in Malmin's be-
half
Malmin, former Federal judge OF
the Virgin Islands, was defending
with Attorney C. w. Larsen. the
blackmail charges brought by Ickes
in demanding their disbarment in
Illinois.
Ickes related before the Supreme
Court Commissioners a conversation
with Malmin In Washington last Sum-
mer.
Threatened Disbarment
Malmin. Ickes said, told of having
been approached by Larsen concerning
litigation over an estate of which
1ckeS was an executor. Larsen had
mentioned purported grievances and
threatened to file a petition for the
disbarment of Ickes because of alleged
mismanagement of the estate.
The cabinet member said Malmin
informed him he had been working
day and night to discourage Larsen
from taking any action against Ickes
"Malmin told me-" said Ickes, that
as the leading Scandinavian in Chica-
go. Larsen had consulted with him
concerning the Saunders (estate) case
and he had attempted to dissuade him
and had labored day and night tc
prevent him from carrying on with the
proceedings.
He told Ine if I would do as he
requested there would be nothing more
heard about the matter.
Il told him that as far is was
! concerned Mr.. Larsen could go to hell
! told him I had never submitted t
blackmail and l did not propose tc
do so now"
Lays Basis of Charge.
| The foundation of Ickes' charges was
laid by Austin Hall, now attached tc
the United States district attorney:
| Office and formerly associated with
Ickes' law office.
Larsen. Hall testified. first came tc
! the Ickes office in September. 1881
saying he represented dissatisfied heir
of the late Clarence Saunders, fol
whose estate 1ckeS was executor. Lar
sen wanted to know. Hall said, Why
| two lots in Los Angeles had been re-
| deemed from tax sales by Marshal
Stimson, Los Angeles attorney for the
estate The inference was that Lar.
sen contended the lots we're not worth
the redemption price paid.
| IckeS informed Larsen, Hall related
that the lots were worth the sun
at the time it was paid.
! Nothing more was heard Of the
| matter, Hall said. until February 27
1888, the day Ickes' appointment t.
the Roosevelt cabinet was mad
known. Then Larsen came to tn,
Office again with a petition chargin,
the executors of the Saunders estat
with mismanagement. Hall said h,
told Larsen: 1T looks like bla ackmai
to me. II you want to cause trouble
| you can, go as far as you like
Improperly Signed.
! The petition against the executor
/ later was presented in Probate Cour
here. But, Hall said, it was signed
not by Margaret Belle Saunders tn
proper petitioner, but by Larsen. TIL
Probate Court refused to hear th
| petition.
Ickes disclosed that in preparation
| for his conversation with Malmin HI
had concealed two persons. his per
sonal stenographer and the chief o
| his investigation department, in hi
office.
Il sent for Malmin He told m,
what great man l was, that he wa!
good friend of mine and that
would make a wonderful Secretary
He then told me he wanted to b,
| Governor of the Virgin Islands
He told me was very close to tn,
President and all had to do was Il
take him to the President and say
This is my good friend, Judge Nal
min of Chicago and he would get tn,
| appointment. 1 told him he woulG
have to see the President through tn,
usual channels"
Thereupon, said Ickes, Malmir
made his offer TO see that Ickes woulc
not be subjected to embarrassing
| hearings if he would intercede fol
| Malmin.