The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-22
PUSTAU SAYS BLACKMAIL.
MS DEFENCE rs THAT UTIGHER
sTMONDs WAS a BL0ODSUCkER,
who Threatened TO Advance the vyeieht OF
Iuvoice. Unit-s Ho was 8oushtt OF-The
Importer "a Church Member.

who Threnteued 20 Advance the weight OF
Iuvo,co, Unirss Ho was 8ouehtt Of-The
Importer ~ church Member.
Tho trial OF Carl Won Pustau, tho importer
md Custom House broker who is accused OF
bribina Assistant Weigher Edward Simonds
OF tho Appraisers stores to underweigh inn
ported flrecrackers. was concluded yesterday
in tho United states Circuit Court. A sealed
verdict will DO brought In this morning.
James J. Callahan. n clerk in Riggs's stores.
where the flrecrackers were stored. was the
first witness for the defence. The court officers
brought In two great packages Of flrecrackers
and began to open them. Won Pustau's lawyer
directed Callahan to examine the packages.
What for2' asked Judge Benedict.
"Iwant to have these packages examined
and identified. and after that I want to have
them weighed accurately" replied the lawyer.
well you won't do anything Of the sort
here" exclaimed Judge Benedict 60 caa't
have this court turned into scale ROOM"
Callahan was dismissed. Albert strechen-
berg, bookkeeper for Won Pustau. testified that
Fortman. the shipping clerk. had told him that
Simonds wanted big money" and that unless
he got II he would make trouble.
Then Carl Won Pustau was called. He said
that Fortman came to him in his office and
said: "Simonds has approached me gain and
wants big money. II he don't get 1t he says
he will fix us. rs no has done in previous ship
ments."
This reference to previous shipments was
not further explained by Won Pustau or any Of
his witnesses. Won Pustau went on to say
that he had replied to Fortman: well. sup
pose we must submit to the blackmail OF this
weighcr. or he will rob u.s."
When asked to explain what he meant by
that remark to Fortman, Won Pustau was con-
fused. He said finally that money had been
paid to Simonds by him Ito prevent being an
noyed by sim onds." Pressed for further ex-
has been sucking our Hood for years. IIe
would cost Us, thousands of dollars II tho
on all th9so PSek na had Deen 40 20
advancing tho weights
Mr.. yon .rustan couldn't remember, how
weights. Hc was very much confused and
smoke in SO low Z, voice that Judge BENEDICT
speak louder $" that the Jurors could hear:
AS he was leaving the stand. Judge Benedict
stopped him and said:
methods Of business are. Who was it that
authorized these pnymcnts?"
can't tell. 1t might have been Schneider. or it
might have been myself. or 1t might have been
THAT won't do" said, Judge Benedict,
sharply. That is not what want. l want
70 + know who authorized these payments Was
We'll. It might have BEEN
"Iwnnt TO know
We'll yes.
Assistant United States District Attorney
Maxwell Evarts submitted the case to the Jury
without argument Won rustau's lawyer spoke
briefly. dwelling on the blackmail theory. The
Jury retired at 2:4O o'clock. and ut . o'clock
had not agreed upon a verdict, Judge, Eene-
diet then ordered that sealed verdict be
brought in at II O'Clock this morning. and
went home
1t came out yesterday that Won Pustau went
to Washington to see solicitor Hepburn Of the
Treasury and endeavored to enlist the aid Of
influential politicians there and in New York
to have the case dismissed. After seeing Mr.
Hepburn In Washington he saw him again at
Agent Whitehead was present at the last
meeting. and Won pustan tried to get
Whitehead to agree TO use a statement
which he agreed to make as states evidence
IN the prosecution OF Slmonds. AterwarI n
well known lawyer saw Whitehead for Won
Pustau about the case and tried to get White
head to use Won Pustau as n States witness.
Won Pustan is connected with II church in
Brooklyn. Rcconty in talking with Special
Agent Whitehcad. he said:
81 can't sleep nights. This money business
is worrying me SO that can't concentrate my
mind on my Sunday devotions.'