Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-07-14
FLEET SHELLS JAP MAINLAND FOR ! HOURS
Judge Johnson
Withdraws as
Probe Witness
Counsel, Committee
Confer Before Move
Ends Public Heurino
By the Associated Press.

r. the Associated Press.
Former Federal Judge Albert
w. Johnson withdrew today
from further questioning by a
House Judiciary Subcommittee
investigating his conduct.
His attorney, John H. BigeIow,
former district attorney of Luzerne
County. Pa, said the Judge had mo
desire to offer further testimony
The announcement followed q
lengthy conference between Judici-
airy Committee members and Judge
Johnson'S three lawyers, delaying
resumption of the hearing this
morning. The judge testified for
four hours yesterday.
Judge johnson had been a volun-
tary witness.
The committee, replete with
former district attorneys and judges,
had intended croSs-examining him
today "at great length" but when
the committee convened at 1880
am, Mr.. Bigelow announced the
withdrawal.
Ends Public Hearing.
I'VE were prepared for a full days
cross-examination," said Committee
Counsel M. H. Goldschein.
The judges appearance here was
purely voluntary" Chairman Ke-
fauver said in allowing Judge john
son to withdraw as a witness.
In fairness to the Judge, we
wanted to give him every opportu-
nifty to make any explanation for
the testimony which has been given
here" Mr.. Kefauver added.
eff the judge does not want to
testify any further, the committee
feels it must accede to his wishes"
he said.
Judge Johnson's withdrawal ended
public hearings by the subcommit-
tee. The hearing began Tuesday
and featured testimony of kick
backs and fee splits in receivership
cases in Judge Johnson's Middle
Pennsylvania District Court.
Inquiry On for Year.
The committee has been empow-
cred by the House to investigate
Judge johnson and Judge Albert L.
Watson of the same court to de-
termine if Impeachment proceedings
are warranted against either.
The committee inquiry has been
conducted for more than year. A
Federal grand jury in Scranton. Pa,
also has been investigating the Mid
die District Court, and has indicted
nine persons in connection with
cases which have come before the
court.
The committee today had been
prepared to ask Judge Johnson lot
of questions concerning his income
and his rulings in receiverShip cases.
Mr.. Bigelow told a reporter the
judge was prepared" had he taken
the stand today, to itemize so far
as he could recollect his income from
lecture fees during his period on the
bench.
Indicates Statement Later.
The Judiciary Subcommittee an
nounced it would go into executive
session and possibly have an an
nouncement later.
Chairman Kefauver said the sub
committee would prepare its report
and transmit it to the full COM
mittee for later presentation to the
House. He said it would take some
time"
The jurist, who resigned recently,
denied on the stand yesterday that
he participated in or knew of alleged
kickbacks and fee splits in receiver
ship cases handled in his court.
He was asked by Mr.. Bigelow:
Have you ever received any money
or reward of any character whatso-
ever for performance of any judicial
duty?"
Il have not" Judge johnson re-
piled.
Asks for Accounting.
The committee asked yesterday
that he account for an alleged deficit
of $4,000 between the income re-
f1ected over 10-year period in his
books and ledgers and his expendi-
lures as reflected by the same books.
| FBI agents reported this differ
ence existed, the committee heard.
Judge johnson said he would
have to examine the FBI figures
to know if they were correct. He
added, however. that he had many
sources of income from sales Of
property and lecture fees that he
had not reported to his record
keeping secretary.
A previous witness, Attorney John
Memolo, Scranton, had testified he
gave $4,000 in fee splits from a
receivership case to Jacob Greenes,
Scranton beer salesman. Mr..
Greenes testified he in turn gave
the money to Judge Johnson's son,
Donald M. johnson. Judge johnson
asserted he hardly knew" Mr..
Greenes.
Payments Reported.
Delmar K. Townsend, Hughes
vile, Pa, appointed by Judge john
(See JUDGE, Page A-2.)
N,,r, p@I,.