Evening star., 1937-02-25
FACING SENTENCE,
TOWNSEND OPENS
D.C.PENS|0NDR|VE
Convicted on Contempt
Charge, He Carries Through
Role in Rally.
0'C0NNELL DEPLORES
FAILING FOR AN IDEA"
Physician Not Surprised by Out.
come, but Said His Action Was
Not Evil-Intended.

Apparently undismayed by his con-
viction for contempt of the House Of
Representatives, DR.. Francis E. Town
send made valiant, but seemingly
foredoomed attempt to rally support
for his old-age pension plan In the
Nations Capital last night.
The elderly physician, adjudged
guilty Of contempt by District Court
jury yesterday for failing to comply
with House subpoena. went through
with a Townsend plan organization
meeting in knights Of Pythias Hall last
night. but only about so prospective
members attended
In brief address Dr. Townsend dis
cussed the philosophy Of his plan. but
ignored the court proceedings. What
he left unsaid. however, was more
than taken care Of by several Of his
congressional supporters.
Representative Jerry ]. O'Cannell,
Democrat, of Montana said Its a sad
commentary that tonight DR.. Town.
send is facing prison in the United
States"
Employing stronger language, Rep
resentative Dewey johnson, Farmer
Laborite. Of Minnesota said he was
amazed at this attempt to persecute
man merely because he had an idea.
The House." he added, has reached
new high in stupidity in sending DR..
Townsend to jail. (He has not yet been
sentenced) They may be able to i'm
prison the man, but warn them that
it is impossible to send an idea to
Jail"
Jail Not Worst in U. S."
Representative Harry Sheppard,
Democrat, of California told DR.. Town.
send the District Jail is not by any
means the worst in the country"
These three speakers. as we'll as
Representative Joseph Hendricks.
Democrat. of Florida Endorsed the
Townsend plan and predicted its ulti-
mate enactment into law.
The District Court jury Of II men
and ! woman found DR.. Townsend
guilty of violating the subpoena after
Trial Justice Peyton Gordon had or.
dered his acquittal en- second charge
that he had failed to answer questions
put by the House committee investi.
eating the pension plan. The Govern
ment stipulated there was no question
pending when DR.. Townsend walked
out of the hearing room, asserting ne
would not return except under arrest
When the jury brought in its verdict
after celebrating only IS minutes
DR.. Townsend. displaying no emotion
said it was nothing more than he hae
expected.
Asked to explain this statement, hs
said: We'll, the instructions TO tht
Jury were limited to the question OF the
subpoena, and I did wilfully absent
nyselt from the committee hearing
although not in a spirit of contempt
Wilful Significant Word.
Overhearing this statement, his at.
torney. Elisha Hanson, interjected
What's that? Wait a minute. Yot
didn't wilfully leave the hearing-|
Pausing moment in surprise. DR.
Townsend answered: But how coule
have absented myself except wilfullyi
I am my own moral agent"
Hanson then pointed out that the
word "wilfully" had a definite lega
significance, and DR.. Townsend quail
fed his statement with the assertion
that he had no EVIL intent" in leaving
the hearing.
United States Attorney Leslie c
Garnett, who was in charge Of thu
prosecution, said he had no objection
to permitting DR.. Townsend to remain
at liberty on 81 1000 cash bond, pending
the filing of a motion for new tria.
and the preparation of an appeal BY
the defense.
The trial lasted but two days, anc
DIR. Townsend, testifying in his OWE
behalf, was on the stand only about ll
minutes. He denied being in contempt
Of the House and said he had never
agreed to walk out on the commlttee
as a publicity move.
Following the verdict. DR.. Townsend
said he expects to busy himself here
for several days in the effort to organ
ize Townsend clubs. Another meeting
Of his supporters will be held next
Wednesday.