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Show i "Horse-Play" By Justice After making oath to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," Fall's son-in-law and Pres. Day y of the Sinclair Exploration Co., refuse to testify, on the t, grour.d it might incriminate them. Such privilege, granted by law, is one thing that makes k law both comedy and farce. It has its argument, to b3 sure, a but it is an aid in defeating justice and its effects are chs- astrous to the parties availing themselves of it. hat is the effect upon a jury when a fellow refuses to tell the whole t( truth in respect of others, because it might disclose his own c. guilt'' Is it anything short of condemnation of those parties, as we'll as himself? No. And this is particularly true m the n case of Fall and Sinclair. r' In fact, the whole proceedings in the oil scandal cases have been a travesty on justice and demonstration ot what money can do to ravish justice. First, the highest court A declares that there has been a foul conspiracy to rob the government; and, all that that court can do is to order the robbers to return the loot. Important government witnesses s: nneak out of the country and the State Department is power- ; less to have them sent back within the .lunsdiction of U S . courts. Witnesses refuse to testify because it might make S as guilty as the prisoners at the bar Finally there v is no reason why one tainted jury after another cannot cause ' mistrial, by reason of the work of hired private detectives, usually a brood of sneaks who will corrupt witnesses, jurors, oven domestic circles for pay. .,.,. m - , 1 Verily it is a good time for Chief Justice Taft to again declare that the administration of American justice is a disgrace to civilization. |
