Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-20
PAID LARGE PROFITS.
Pittsburg Agents of the National
Capital Association Testify.
COMMISSIONS OF SIXTY PER CENT
Sometimes Paid to Persons Who Solicited
Subscriptions.
ONE DAY IN THE COURTS OF THE COUNTY

The conspiracy trial of Seton, Dunn e
al, agents of the National Capital Saving!
and Building and Loan Association, was
continued before Judge White yesterday.
Charles Coy, Ellis Mcdonald, John Scott,
Charles Wagner, Robert Hart and Mrs
Hamilton testified to having subscribed fol
stock in the association, paying amounts
from $40 up to $50. Detective VIM. Shore
testified to making the arrests and the man.
ner in which the case was worked up. The
Commonwealth then rested.
Attorney Wallace, for the defense, moved
that the defendants be discharged, as there
was no evidence that there was conspiracy
to obtain money under false pretense, and
that the evidence showed that they obtained
the money in a legitimate way as agents of
general society. Judge White dismissed
the motion, holding that there was sufficient
evidence to let the case go to the jury.
The defense was opened by placing
Thomas j. Seton on the stand. Mr.. Seton
detailed his connection with the company,
having secured the agency of the company
by answering an advertisement. All
moneys collected by him or the agents was
sent to Chicago, where the headquarters of
the association were located.
A NICE COMMISSION.
The witness always deducted his commits
sion, which was Is per cent. The percent
age given to agents was sometimes go per
cent, and from that down. He had never
promised anybody to secure them 81, 900 on
the payment of $40, but did tell them they
could secure the money when they offered
proper security. He could not tell the exact
amount of money collected by the agency.
On cross-examination Mr.. Seton evaded
a number of questions by stating that the
ledger should show what was wanted. BE
could not say whether any subscriber had
ever received 81 from the company. He
did not know of the Newman case. Agent
Phillips attended to that. The witness told
Mrs. Newman that her money was all right,
and that she would get it, but did not
specify in what time. He forwarded S15 of
Mrs. Newman's money to Chicago, and they
kept $40 as their commission, but refused to
state how much he kept out of the $40 for
himself He never told Contractor Brinton
to 60 ahead and build Mrs. Newman's
house. The witness stated that he was not
under bond to the society. They did not
ask for one.
GOT SIXTY PER CENT.
M. J. Phillips was next called and testi-
fed that he had acted in the capacity of an
agent for Seton and Dunn. His duty was
to solicit subscribers for membership. He
secured quite a number of subscribers, and |
in each case where he received money gave |
a receipt. The money was all turned over |
to Seton and Dunn less 60 per cent as his |
commission, He took out IL shares of |
stock himself and paid in his money the
same as any other subscriber. The witness |
stated that his business was with Seton
and Dunn, and he knew nothing of the
Chicago office or its managers. He told
those from whom he solicited for stock that
he thought the company was good thing.
He gave everyone to understand that they
must pay their membership fee first and
,hree months dues before they could secure
any money. The witness had nothing to do
with the appraising of any property.
On cross-examination Mr.. Phillips denied
having sought out ignorant people to deal
With, but took everyone he could get.
DUNN's DENIALs.
Eli Dunn, the second member of the firm,
vas next placed on the stand, and at first
tated that he was merely an agent but
.fterward admitted that he was partner.
lie admitted taking Mrs. Newman's SUBJ
crption, but did not tell her she would get
i 900 for S25 He did tell her that she
ould get the money by giving security.
The witness did not tell Contractor Brinton
o 90 ahead and erect Mrs. Newman's house;
N the contrary, he told him ii he started to
'uild the house it was on his own response
,ility, The witness also secured Mr.
Tlaherty as a subscriber, and stated that
Ir. Flaherty had carefully read the articles
# agreement before subscribing, He did
lot tell him he could secure loan of 81, 900
he witness was to look after the agents and
tart them to work. He never sent any
money to Chicago. Mr.. Seton or Book
.eeper Harrison attended to that.
On cross-examination the witness stated
hat he never saw any money sent to Chi
ago, but saw receipts come back, showing
hat money had been sent there. He could
OF tell how much money the firm had
AIKEN in and never knew OF anybody who
OF loan or their money back.
AGENT BUTLER's EXPERIENCE.
Franklin Butler admitted being an agent
,r the company and secured four or five
lbscribers. He got 80 per cent and only
orked for the company about three weeks.
he money he got from subscribers was
1rned into the Office, less his commission.
lie told his subscribers that the company
-as all right, becamse he thought it was,
ut did not tell anyone that the company
as backed by SS,00U,0 900.
On cross-examination Mr.. Butler denied
,lling Detective Shore that Messrs. Seton,
'unn and others were thieves and rascals,
ut admitted that he might have said that
bout the Chicago officers.
The case will go on to-day, Judge White
otiiying the attorneys that arguments
ould be limited to one hour on each side.