Evening star., 1938-07-11
Washington Observations
Roosevelt Discussed as Character Witness for Hines
Indicted in Policy Racket.

ton to look into the story found that,
while it seemed to defy confirma-
tion," well-informed authorities point
ed out that the President has a
reputation for never backing away
from any friend in difficulty. They
emphasized that Roosevelt and the
New Deal had had no more loyal or
energetic supporter than Jimmie
Hines" The Tammanyite was "for
Roosevelt" long before Chicago. Hines
memorable break with Tammany Boss
John F. Curry was the result Of the
latter's refusal to support Gov. Roose-
velt at the 1882 convention.
There Is no precedent for Q Presi-
dent in office to appear as q character
witness or in any other litigation. The
famous Aaron Burr trial seems to
have established the rule that the
Chief Executive is not obliged to
honor subpoenas. In that action
President Jefferson declined to appear
under a subpoena issued by Chief
Justice Marshall President Monroe
and President John Quincy Adams
adhered to the same view on subse-
quent occasions.
Frank j. Hogan, leader Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia bar and president
designate Of the American Bar As
sociation, called into the witness box
both Theodore Roosevelt and William
Howard Taft as character witnesses
for Charles c. Glover In May, 1915,
in what is historically known as the
Riggs Bank case. It was q prosecu-
ton precipitated when the bank
brought q civil suit against the al
legedly arbitrary and harassing ac-
tions Of John Skelton Williams, con-
troller Of the currency during the
Wilson administration. Roosevelt and
Taft both were ex-Presidents when
they took the stand. To this OBJ
server Mr.. Hogan expresses the opinion
that there IS mo improperly in .
President while In once testifying-
indeed he is fully justified in doing
so-when he believes the administra-
ton Of justice will be aided by his
evidence" The famous Washington
lawyer recalls at least one case in
District Of Columbia courts, in which
Chief Justice Edward Douglass White
and some associate justices Of the
Supreme Court appeared as character
witnesses.
In substantiation OF the belief that
Franklin Roosevelt would not hesitate
to speak good word under oath for
Jimmie" Hines, is the circumstance
that in the spring Of 1882 he did not
shrink from jeopardizing his chances
for presidential nomination by be-
coming character witness for Joseph
A. Broderick. former State superin-
tendent Of banks. Roosevelt, then
Governor. underwent cross-examina-
tion by Max D. Steuer. who had been
appointed q special assistant district
| attorney to probe the failure of the
Bank Of the United States. Broderick
who was acquitted. later became a
governor Of the New York Federal
Reserve Bank. He is now president
Oh Cne East Sloe savings Bank.
There are suggestions that when
Hines goes on trial, his defending
counsel may include such luminaries
as John w. Davis, former Gov. Ma
than D. Miller. Samuel Untermyer OF
former District Attorney Charles H
Tuttle, recent counsel for Richard D.
Whitney. Hines friends consider he
is primarily the victim of the political
ambitions OF Charles E. Dewey. They
say that If the invincible foe Of New
York's rackets could send Jimmie
Hines up the river. Dewey over night
would become Republican national
figure and headed straight for the
Governors chair at Albany.
| Copyright. 1889