Evening star., 1935-11-01
OEHMANN DENIES
FEEFAVOR|T|SM IN
FIGHT ON CHARGES
Testifies He Was Under
Impression Buildings
Were Condemned.
HIPKlNS TAKES STAND
TO SUPPORT HIS CHIEF
Inspector Cites Alphabetical Sc
lection in Denying He Directed
Goodman Appointment.

Opening a methodical attack against
each of the nine charges brought
against him, Col. John w. Oehmann,
District building inspector, today con-
tinued his defense before Commls-
sioner George E. Allen and H. Win
ship Wheatley.
In response to questioning by w.
Gwynn Gardiner, his attorney, Col.
Oehmann first declared he had never
been asked to explain any OF the
alleged instances of miSfeaSance OF
his Office, and that his first knowledge
of them was received through the
formal charges.
Concerning the first charge, that his
office had issued without fee per-
nit to tear down certain buildings in
Greens Court, Col. Ooehmann eX-
planned he had thought the buildings
previously condemned. In such cir
cumstances no fee is required.
Oehmann said he knew Isaiah Bap-
tist, colored building wrecker, who
razed the building at Greens Court,
but said he had no reason for extend
Says Loan Cheaper"
1T would have been cheaper" Col
Oehmann said, for me to loan the old
man the money than to hire lawyer
to defend me against charges of CHS
cling ST."
Donald Hipkins, chief clerk at Och
mann's Office, then went on the stand
to testify he had discussed the case
with Col Oehmann after the charges
had been filed. At that time, he said
thH lionel remarked he had mistaken
the buildings in the permit for some
nearby that had been condemned.
Returning to the stand. Col. Och
mann next denied he had any part
in the selection of Robert Goodman
as a member of board of survey to
pass upon the structural condition OF
building at 2l45 I street. The
charge, second on the list, specified
Goodman was not disinteresteo
person.
Cites Alphabetical Selection.
Oehmann pointed out he was at
Camp Richie, Md, with the National
Guard when the appointment was
made in August, 1884.
Members of Boards of Survey are
selected. he explained, from a roster
of builders which is on file in the
inspectors office Their designation
is made in alphabetical order except
in special cases. Goodman'S appoint
ment was made in accordance with
this practice. the colonel said, while
he was away.
Hearing in Uproar.
Oehmann began his defense late
yesterday after clash between his
attorney and witness. J. J. Kimball,
chief field inspector in Oehmann' S
Office. had thrown the hearing. into
an uproar.
The clash between attorney and
witness came as the prosecution was
trying to prove Oehmann had ordered
the Logan Hotel condemned when it
was not in condition to justify such
action.
Defense Attorney Gardiner was try
ing to shake Kimball's testimony that
the hotel was not in dangerous con-
dition and asked the witness to list
all his own real estate transactions.
After Kimball had complied, Gardiner
demanded:
rs it not fact that you offered
Officer Linn of the third precinct Sl00
for every gas station he could get for
you?"
White and shaking, Kimball jumped
from the witness chair and shouted:
That's damn lie and you know it."
Offers Apology.
For moment he stood over the
attorney. shaking his finger in his
face, but then sat down at the sharp
command of Wheatley.
I'm sorry" Kimball said IT apolo-
gize. But that was unfair"
I'VE want light on these matters,
not heat" Wheatley remarked The
board then ruled the question was
not proper and need not be answered
despite GARDENERS protestations that
he had a right to impeach the wit
ness if he could.
After Tax Assessor William P
Richards had testified to Oehmann's
good character, the building inspector
began his own story. telling of his
early life in Washington and of his
experiences in the regular Army ano
the National Guard He said he has
been virtually deprived of authority
in his office by the appointment Of
former Army officers to superior posts
mentioning specifically Capt. Hugh
Dram, director of inspection.
Mistake Is Admitted.
An effort by the prosecution to dis
credit the character testimony giver
by Richards resulted in an amusing
anticlimax to the clash between
Gardner and Kimball.
On cross-examination, the pros
ecutor asked Richards if he didn'
own q piece of property in Southeas
Washington and If Oehmann hadn't
once "done him favor" in connection
with this property.
The tax assessor stared Indignantly
at his questioner for a moment, and
then said:
There is a colored man in thai
section who has sometimes been SLOW
in paying his taxes and who signs hi.
name the same as I do. Apparently
you have confused u.s.
The prosecutor. Assistant Corpo-
ration Sounsel Elwood Seal, hastily
checked his records and then apollo.
oizNd admitting the mistake