The Ontario Scrapbook Hansard

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 8 May 1922, p. 1

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" "the most damnable thing that has ever occurred in the history of Canada," if it could not be substan- tinted. "Shameless and damnable!" Mr. Waldron added, as if to give greater force to his indignation. Major Lewis was resent at the time. but made n2 comment, and a low seconds later. when he was invited to put any questions to Mr. Backus, he declined. _" Backus Makes Denial. The incident occurred Just. as the . adjournment was about to take place. Mr. E. Mr. Backus was called to the witness stand after luncheon and gave a categorical denial to the suggestions which had been made that he knew anything about Hus- ton's death. He declared that he had no contract of any kind with the degassed ,',l'l1vn' but that Huston was n is emp oy urel on a sai basis of $250 per mponth.y As a wigs): up to his examination of Mr. Backus Mr. Waldron read the following ex- tract from the report of Major Lewis' speech: "There was one man with whom he had been in a busi- ness deal--I do not say that man was responsible for his death-but l do my there was one man in whose, interest it was to secure the papers he was supposed to have on him." He asked Mr. Backus what he had to say concerning it. Without Foundation. " do not believe," said Mr. Backus. slowly and deliberately. "that. words can sumciently answer that. I think that is tho most out- rageous. scandalous charge and innuendo to be spoken. particularly in a position where the man cannot he reached by law. and I feel very, very much chagrined that in Canada a thing like that can occur. I re- peat, it is the most scandalous sug- gestion that I ever knew to he made. The whole cloth has nothing behind it in any shape or form to . Justify it." "Well," exclaimed Mr. Waldron. "f am constrained to use care in what r state, but if this cannot he substantiated, then I say it. is the most damnable thing that has ever; occurred in the history of Canada, - shameless and damnable!" l, "Well," said Mr. Backus. "it will not. be substantiated. You can out it right down as a tact that it can- not be substantiated in any way---- not even in the slightest degree." Mr. Backus added that, it there had been any friction between Capt. Huston and any of the off1cialg in. witness' employ, those in the officty would not. have been likely to have advanced him $500 when he (Hus- 'ton) told a hard-luck story, and iwhen his account was already over- drawn. l Declines Invitation. _ Mr. I. F. Hellmuth, K.C.. repre- senting Mr. Backus, invited Major Lewis to ask that gentleman any iquestlons: but Major Lewis said he did not think he would do so. ', "Are you satisfied with Mr.; Backus' statements?" asked Mr.; Waldron of Major Lewis. I "Well, T don't want to answer! that." replied Major Lewis with a smile. i Mr. Hellmuth said he would takel up that point when he cross-ex-j amined Major Lewis at a later sit- ting. "it appears to begin to look to me, Mr. Lewis." said Mr. Waldron. MON _ "that a little touch of Rood sense ' _ would clear up this storm. Of DAY, AY 8, . course. it can only be with the asrl .- I sent ot you and those associated: - -.. ---- with you." I "I would like Mr. Waldron to cor-x _rect that," interrupted Major Lewis! ;"So far as I am concerned. there is? i no one associated with me." l I The incident then closed and the F CABAL inquiry was adjourned until next? Tuesday. . A feature of Saturday's proceed-f ings was the presence ot le; 1;. Ir; Hardin , K.C., who was a ege , n Mr. Gordon Waldron. K.C.. coun- .Major gLewis' speech, to have seen eel tor the Crown. gave a, dramatic -.. 'Inspector Jeffery before that omeer touch to the finish of Saturday's . 'alienthomFortt Frances to investigate ro ' e u on ra coy. . D ceedings of the Macintosh Com- Mr. 121,',U,f,')."e,f))'/, came forward mission of Inquiry into the death . . l of Capt. Orville Hu t b , lunta.rily to otter any assistance, ing st t t S on Y denounc-l . .vore that he did not know ot In.. a a emen made by Ma orl specter Jeffery, even by name, and, Lewis, M.P.P. for Northeast ii',:??) consequently, could not have known to, . of Jeffery going to Fort Frances to . "CII'",',',','),', 11:12.13. w. Backus, in; investigate the Huston affair. " . D C n the Legislature,' never knew of. it until I saw it i; l the paper," he said. ."I think

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