Evening star., 1941-11-12
LANCER Denies Charge
He Attempted 10 Sway
Judge Of His ; Trials
Admits Giving Jurist's
Son Check and Having
Court and Jury Watched
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Senator LANCER, Republican, OF
North Dakota denied before the
Senate Elections Committee today
that he had attempted to influence
Federal District Judge A. Lee Wy
man. before whom he was thrice
tried in 1885.
Mr.. LANCER acknowledged that he
had employed the late Chet Leedom
to watch the clerk of the court. the
marshals office and the jury during
the first of the trials before Judge
Wyman because he believed the
Judge had confidence in Mr.. Lee
dom and that he had given a check
for S275 to Gale Wyman, son OF the
judge.
He testified. however, that James
MuIloy, former State official and
former LANCER political lieutenant,
had arranged for Gale Wyman's
services without his knowledge.
He said that he had paid s7oo or
$500 to Mr.. Leedom, including $3.50,
which previous witnesses had testi-
fed was turned over to Mr.. Wyman.
Did you at any time discuss with
Mulloy or Leedom or any one else
for that matter" Francis Murphy,
Langer's counsel asked. ANY ques-
ton of seeking to influence or bribe
Judge Wyman?"
Gives Explicit Denial.
"No, sir, at no time" Mr.. LANCER
replied.
Senator LANCER testified in his
own defense at committee hearings
to determine his fitness to hold Of
flee, which has been challenged by
group of petitioners from his State.
Mr.. Mulloy had testified previ-
ously that with Mr.. Langer's knowl-
edge he paid both the judges son
and Mr.. Leedom in an effort to OBJ
tain influence with the judge, the
payments totaling s1,700 to 300.
Judge Wyman presided at two
| trials of Mr.. LANCER on charge OF
conspiracy to obstruct the orderly
operation of an act of Congress, on
which he was ultimately acquitted
and conducted a trial of Mr.. LANCER
on a perjury charge, in which the
defendant also was acquitted.
Mr.. LANCER testified that at ar
earlier trial on the conspiracy charge
the presiding judge, Andrew Miller
was prejudiced and the jury hand
picked" resulting in his conviction
He added that he believed that dur
ing the trial Deputy Marshal How
ard Straack had been lin contac
with the jury
As result, he said, Representative
Burdick, Republican, of North Da'
kota advised him to employ, wher
the case was retired, some one II
watch the jury, the marshals Of
flee and the clerks Office to protec
his own interests.
Advised to Pick Leedom.
Mr.. Mulloy advised him, he re
lated, that Judge Wyman had con
fidence in Mr.. Leedom, forme
United States marshal for Soutl
Dakota.
'I needed some one the judge hal
confidence in in case we made
complaint" Mr.. LANCER told tn
: committee.
Il told Mr.. Mulloy to 60 down ant
see if he couldn't employ Che
, Leedom."
Did you know at that time of tn
, existence of Gale Wyman MI
t Murphy asked.
"I had never heard of him." MI
e Langler declared.
Mr.. Mulloy brought Mr.. Leedon
back with Mr. Wyman, Mr.. Lange
S continued, but he said nothing wa
|. mentioned about any arrangement
7. with Mr.. Wyman.
q Mr.. Mulloy and Mr.. Wyman testi
fed that the latter was employed
make trip to SiuoX Falls, S. Oak
from Deadwood to see Judge Wyma
about the approaching trial.
Mr.. LANCER told the committe
that it was not true, as Mr.. Mullo
had testified. that Mr.. Leedom sa
! Judge Wyman during the trial an
" relayed his comments to Mr.. Langt
through Mr.. Mulloy.
h Illness Prevents Return.
9 When the perjury trial was pene
:, ing, Langer said, he sent Mr.. Mulle
= to bring Mr.. Leedom to Bisma
d again but was informed that M
n Leedom was in such shape-sick
e that he couldn't come back up
Mr.. Mulloy told him, Mr.. Lang
h said, that he could bring Mr.. Le'
\, dom's right hand man. in h
,e place and he agreed. Mr.. Mull'
IS did not tell him, Mr.. LANCER test
1t fed, that he was bringing N
[e Wyman, and at that time ne hi
le never heard OF the judges son.
Mr.. wyman, Mr.. LANCER relate