New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-26
COST OF MOLINEUX TRIAL.
PRODTGAL EXPENDITURE BY THE DIS
TRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE.
BILLS FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY LIKELY
TO sTARrLE THE CTTYs FINANCIAL
OFFICERS MAY HAVE
TO SUE - THE ACCUSED
MANS CHRISTMAS.

MAN = NhhlSl
Rarely has man passed two Chris,m .sss
under such widely different circumstances as
Roland B. Mollneux spent yesterday and the
Christmas before Last year he was with h!s,
bride at the Waldorf-Astoria. Yesterday he 1
was in the Tombs awaiting the result OF his trial
for murder. But despite the strong contrast be-
tween the two Christmas days. he expressed
himself as in a good humor and appeared thor
oughy to enjoy the slight relaxation which was
allowed him for the day. He arose early. and
after an hours exercise in the open prison yard
was served with a breakfast Of poached eggs.
fried potatoes and chocolate. He spent the fore
noon in reading the newspapers and a novel.
When his Christmas dinner was served IT con-
sisted Of oysters on the half she'll roast turkey.
cranberry sauce. mashed potatoes celery, toast
ed bread milk ana mince pie.
Just before o'clock the prisoners mother.
father and wife visited him. They came In a
closed carriage and were at once conducted TO
the consulting room. They carried with them
two large bouquets OF roses and lilies OF the
valley Deputy Warden Hagan brought the
prisoner from his cell. No. So in the second
tier to the consultation room. where he left him
with his parents and his wife until after 4
o'clock when Molineux was taken back to his
cell Later he was permitted to walk for an
hour in the yard in charge Of a keeper
When General Molineux was escorting his wife
and daughter-in-law to the carriage on leaving
the Tombs they encountered a camera "fend,"
who endeavored to get pictures OF the two
women. The General at once struck the camera
with his cane and demolished IT, at the same
time asking for assistance from Deputy Warden
Hagan who sent out one Of the prison keepers
GREAT COST OF THE TRIAL.
When the matter Of the cost Of the trial comes
TO be reckoned up there is likely to be trouble.
which may not be settled until the aid OF the
courts has been invoked. Beyond all doubt the
expenses Of the trial will far exceed that OF any
other homicide case in this country. Estimates
have already been made 10 the probable
amount of money the State will have TO pay at
the end OF the case. The most conservative Of
these estimates puts the figure down at S150O0O.
but according to some well informed officials the
cost at the present rate of progress may run
up 10 S250000 In that even the citys financial
officers will unquestionably protest payment
OF the bills. When it required an outlay OF
over $4,000 TO convict Dr. Henry c. F. Meyer
in 1894 the magnitude of the sum caused wide
spread comment. There is likely 10 be COM
ment of a much more emphatic nature when the
expenses appertanng TO the Moneux trial are
footed up.
While in such an involved case as this the
outlay must necessarily be heavy, and while
also it is not to be conceived that the peoples
authorities are to err much the side Of
economy as in any way to cripple the
OF the prosecution against an alleged murderer,
the opinion is growing that in this instance there
has been an unjustihable expenditure of money.
The view is expressed also that District Attor-
ney Gardeners administration is being marked
by the greatest extravaganza. Mr.. Gardiner Il
is said, is willing to spend any amount OF money
TO unraVel the mystery OF Mrs Adams's death
and it would seem that so far spending the
money is concerned he is succeeding admirably.
He has collected in this case the most famous
experts in handwriting in the United States and
in view Of Mr.. GARDENERS attitude ii is not
probable that they will be disposed to cut their
bills The spirit of prodigalty which has al
ready swelled and will still further help TO swell
the costs is well eXemplifed In remark which
Mr. Gardiner was reported 70 have made when
efforts were being made TO get Mary Melando
10 New-York to give testimony regarding
Molineuxs possession Of the blue tri-crescent
notepaper Bring her here whatever the cost
may be- / want her even If II involves a special
bond issue" the District Attorney is quoted as
saying.
MAY HAVE TO GO TO THE COURTS.
It is reasonably certain that when the hand
writing and medical experts present their bills
the claims will reach so large figure that when
they are laid before Controller Coer he will
object TO payment The experts will then be
obliged to resort to the courts in order to have
their claims settled. This procedure has fire.
Controller has protested but usually the Cor
poration Counsel submits to Judgment. Whether
not the present Corporation Counsel will in
terpose no defence 10 the suits which the experts
may have to bring can at this stage be only a
matter Of conjecture, but il is generally thought
that Mr.. Whalen will support the Controller.
and will lodge the objection to the bills that
they are too large
Controller Coler was asked by a Tribune re-
porter yesterday whether he would oppose the
payment OF large sums OF money for expert
testimony MOlineuX Controller
did not wish to speak with special reference TO
the employment Of experts in the Molneux
trial, but in regard 70 the employment Of ex-
perts generally by the city he had this to say:
I'VE have opposed right along the payment
OF expensive experts The city has been robbed
right and left by the experts Some OF their
charges have BEEN outra geously high For In
stance, some doctors have charged SD an hour
for examinations extending over numberless
hours. and $50 a day for examinations running
over numberless days. Bills OF experts for $1,000
and $1,000 have not been uncommon. and some
Of the bills have been held up and compromises
effected OF course. IL the experts are hired
and agreements have been made. the Controller
has no power TO prevent payment, as Judgment
can be obtained The whole system Of prices
paid 10 experts is wrong. but a scale OF prices
might be arranged that the city would pay"
When the case is resumed to-day the cross
examination of Henry l.. Tolman the third OF
the prosecutions handwriting experts will be
continued. and he will in all likelihood be fol-
lowed by Daniel T. Ames. another expert. George
Gordon Battle. one Of the counsel for the de-
renee, IN a statement IndNe yesterday, declared
his belief that Molineux would be acquitted. and
outlined part OF the plan OF defence by intimat-
ing that It would be demonstrated TO the jury
that any of six could have written the
Barnet" and Cornish" letters and the ad-
dress on the poison package as well. Cornish
and each Of the experts who have been on the
stand so far have been asked by Mr.. Weeks 70
copy the poison address in their own hand
writing and II may be inferred from Mr.. Bat
ties statement that the experts for the defence
will point TO characteristics in these writings
similar 70 the handwriting on the poison pack
age, proving thereby that no dependence should
be placed upon the contentious OF the prosecu-
ton's experts that Moneux necessarily ad-
dressed the package because similarties OF
pen habits" can be traced In the writing OF the
address