The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1943-03-22
he Committee on Committees


Asked by Chairman Joseph Ke-
hoe If Smith had ever brought up
the investigation in conversation
with Davis at any other time, Davis
said he had on various occasions.
He stated that he was deeply dis
appointed that this had ever come
up, that Haas was friend of his
and he hoped he would never be
called upon to try him or testify
against him. But he said if any
thing did come up, he would not
defend Haas through friendship"
Davis answered.
ROgge allied
Rogge then testified that in the
Committee on Committee discussion
to recommend a member to replace
McCutcheon on the investigating
committee that several names came
up, and the objections to some
were that they might not want to
serve. Royce then said he asked
Smith if he would serve, and Smith
said he would if it was satisfactory
with the committee.
Senator Ed Coffey asked Rogge
II Smith had ever brought it to his
attention that he was seeking the
position. Rogge said, mo, to my
knowledge he never thought of
going on"
Rogge said Smith had said he
really didn't want it If he could
help it.
Haas then asked Smith If Nc
Cutcheon had raised any objection
to him serving in his place. Smith
said he did not. Upon questioning
by Haas, Smith said he had asked
McCutcheon if he had any objec-
ton before the Committee on Com
smittees met. - I'd
- Smith Answers
McCutcheon then asked Smith If
he had no intention of serving on
the committee, why did he ask him
If he had an objection. Smith said
that after all there were only is
members. Of the House and there
was no reason that he wouldn't be
considered as, well as anyone. He.
said he asked Mccutcheon If he
had an objection because if Nc
Cutcfeon had stated an objection,
Smith said he would never have
consented to serve on the commit
tee.
Rep. Crystal Snow Jenne, an
other member of the Committee on
Committees was called to testify
by Haas. She said that her idea in
selecting member to replace Nc
Cutcheon was to choose someone
absolutely disconnected with the
entire affair.
She said that several names were
mentioned, including Rep. william
Egan, but that Smith had refused
to agree ON Egan She said Rogge
then asked Smith If he would serve,
and after a hesitation, Smith had
said he would.
Governor Mentioned
Mrs. JENNIE then said she had OBJ
jected to Smith. serving, and that
Smith had stated that She was in
ferring that he was not honest
She said she told Smith she had
no doubts about his honesty, but
that she did not like some of his
ideas.
At this point. Mrs. JENNIE pointed
out that Haas had been appointed
by the Governor. and the question
in her mind was whether Smith
could be totally unbiased, appar-
emily for this reason.
Mrs Jenne then related that she
told Smith if he would promise as
a gentleman of honor to go into
the investigation unbiased and un-
prejudiced, with an open mind, she
would let him serve.
She said Smith said, Il will not
and you have no right to ask such
a thing"
She said then that Smith said
he would consent to the promise.
Smith asked her then if it wasn't |
true that he replied in answer to
the request for the promise that
he thought it was unusual for her
to request that he take a pledge.
Mrs. JENNIE said she wasn't sure, |
that he may have said that.
McCutcheon asked Mrs Jenne if |
Smith had brought out in the COM
mittee that he had stated no OBJ
lection to Smith serving. Mrs. |
JENNIE said. mo, I don't remember
anything like that"
Didn't Seek Job
Coffey asked, Mrs JENNIE if Smith |
sought the appointment in the
committee session, and she said,