The herald., 1898-01-14
CLOSE TONIGHT, MAYBE
WEBB's DEFENSE TO END WITH
ADAMS EXAMINATION
Short Session of the School Board
Investigation-one Witness
Testifies

Last nights session of the school board
little to the point. If that point was the
effort to clear Webb of the charges
against him. Only one witness was ex-
amined and the defense then condition
ally closed it's case. The condition an
nounced was that if ex-Director Adams
could be coaxed or compelled to attend
the session tonight the attorneys for the
defense We're to get whack at him
in cross-examination.
1t had been expected that Miss Fidelia
Anderson would be placed upon the
stand to tell of all the things which
others had said that they had heard that
somebody else had said that she had re-
marked, but she was not witness. She
had been seen by one of the attorneys
for Webb and the defense were content
with what she had stated in her afiida-
Wit. which was that she had never been
approached and had never paid for her
position. This was stated to the board
and it was announced that only one more
witness remained to be examined
Mrs. a. c. Gregory, who resides at 313
California street, was called. She was
asked as to an interview which had APP
peared in the Times which had been ac
credited to her. The statements which
she was reported to have made to that
paper We're read to her and she was
asked whether they represented what
she had really said. She did not re-
member exactly what she had said,
as she had no idea that she
was being interviewed. She had bought
piano from Bartlett in October, 1896.
and had returned it month later. She
had paid $25 down for the instrument,
but when she returned it she did not re-
ceive a cent in return. The piano cost
her just the amount of her payment.
Some time before the June election she
had been asked by Bartlett whether it
would be possible for her to buy a
piano some time in the future, but she
had told him that she doubted her abil-
ity to pay for one. For more than half
an hour she was kept on the stand and
was then excused. There was no refer
ence to Webb in her testimony and what
bearing the evidence had upon the case
no one knew. save, perhaps. the defense
THE defendant rests" said Attorney
MeServe as soon as Mrs. Gregory left
the stand, but his associate, Attorney
oliver. interposed a condition that the
defense be allowed to introduce such
portions of Adams evidence before the
superior court as it desired. He had
made this suggestion before, and stated
that the expense of transcribing the
entire evidence of Adams was such as
to preclude its preparation at the ex-
pense of the defendant. Judge Cheney
objected to the admission of part of Ad-
ans evidence If all was not admitted
He said 1t was not fair either to the
board or Adams. Judge Phillips asked
if there was not some way to compel Ad-
ans to attend. The several attorneys
expressed the opinion that he could be
compelled to come If he was regularly
summoned. Mr.. Conrey moved that he
be subpoenaed by the secretary of the
board, which motion prevailed. It was
understood, in conclusion, that an effort
would be made to get Adams before
the board. The defense closed with the
that he would appear If
1t was possible to get him there. The
prosecution then announced that il
would be ready to proceed with evidence
in rebuttal tonight, and with that the
session closed.