Evening star., 1935-12-13

A jail sentence and a ruined politi-
cal career today faced Representative
John Henry Hoeppel, Democrat, OF
California. who, with his 21-year-old
son. Charles J. Hoeppel. stood con-
victed on a charge Of conspiring to
sell a West Point appointment for
$1,000 to James w. Ives, former
Olympic lacrosse star.
A jury of 10 men and 2 women
in District Supreme Court found
the Hoeppels guilty few minutes
before midnight last night. The YER
dict was returned after about six
hours deliberation.
The court room, crowded through
out the trial, was nearly deserted
when the father and son stood mo-
tionless before the jury and heard
the foreman intone, guilty as
charged as to both defendants"
Son Remains Calm.
The verdict was an obvious blow to
Representative Hoeppel. He could not
hold back tears. The son, however. re-
manned outwardly composed. Neither
uttered a word.
"Of course, there will be a motion
for q new trial and an appeal" said
Mai. Gen. Samuel T. Ansell, former
judge advocate general Of the Army,
who served as chief of defense
counsel. :
On motion of Col. Edward Bailey,
also of defense counsel, the Hoeppels
were permitted TO remain at liberty
under bond pending appeal although
the amount will be increased from
$500 to $1,000 each at the request of
Government counsel.
The maximum penalty for the Of
fense is two years Imprisonment and
$4,000 fine.
Expulsion Up to House.
It was not known today whether
Hoeppel would be expelled from the
House as a result of his conviction
since the House itself must decide that
after Congress convenes next month.
A two-thirds vote is necessary for ex-
pulsion.
The impression prevailed at the
Capitol that the House will ignore the
case, at least until final action is taken
on his proposed appeal.
The House has authority, under the
Constitution, to expel q member con-
victed of felony, but as yet does ont
have a precedent on which to base
such action.
True, several members have been
convicted of felonies while serving
but they resigned and made House &C
ton unnecessary.
Former Representative John Wesley
Langley, Republican, Of Kentucky
was convicted on liquor charges in
1926. He resigned his seat.
j. N. Williamson of Oregon was
convicted Of an offense while mem
Der of the House in 1906. He did not
resign, but failed to show up at the
sessions of Congress. The House, of
course, overlooked his case.
In 1880 former Representative Harry
e. Rowbottom Of Indiana, became in
volved in charges of selling postmas-
terships, but he was not convicted un-
til the expiration Of his term.
Athlete Is Star Witness.
Blond and stocky young Ives was
the Governments star witness at
the Hoeppels' trial. He testified
that young Hoeppel, under the
name Of Charles Alexander, told
him in Baltimore on May 30, 1884, he
could have q West Point nomination
If he paid for it. He said he de-
livered a promissory note for $1,000
to Alexander" in Union Station the
following day and shortly after re-
ceived the West Point nomination.
Representative Hoeppel, however,
testified he made the appointment to
please two high-ranking Army onicers
who wanted q good foot ball player
for the Military Academy. He said
the first time he saw Ives was when
he came to his ONCE June S, 1884, and
asked that his appointment be with
drawn.
Ives version of the story was he
went to Hoeppel's office TO ask for a
illegal appointment" According to
Ives, Hoeppel told him he hadn't kept
his agreement and he would not give
him a legal appointment.
The case was given to the jury at
Ssh pm, after a brief furry in the
court room caused by the demands of
defense counsel for q mistrial because
Assistant United States Attorney
David A. Pine, in his closing argu-
ment, had described Representative
Hoeppel as 80 perjurer OF the first
water and monumental liar
Justice Daniel w, O'DonoRhue over