Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-01
CASE ~GOES OVER.
VIM. {. Skinner, Mrs. Rae and
Mrs. Wing Arraigned
At PortIand---CounseI File Demurers
Judge to Give Decision April !.
Statement Made by Mr. Skinner on His Arrest
in New York.


Floral case was before Judge Webb in
the United States court again. THIS
morning. for short time and now goes
out of public notice again until the
April term.
A hearing was given on a demurrer
in the case of the United States VS..
William E. Skinner, Mrs. Viola Rae
and Angie II. Wing, against whom an
indictment was found for using the
mails to put into effect scheme to de-
fraud. These parties are held as mana
gers and agents of the Fairfield Floral
Co. which has been before the courts
for some time.
This is the company which, it is al
legged. worked the artificial flower manu-
turing scheme through advertisements
and correspondence through the mails,
said to be one of the cleverest schemes
to defraud ever worked through this
medium.
The concern inserted advertisements
in papers Offering the most tlatterlng
prospects to all who in their own homes
would make artificial flowers for the
concern in question. The statement
was made I'VE pay every week and
then there was an offer to take all the
flowers all applicants could make. and
the statement that everything should
be absolutely free"
Postoflice Inspector king, VINO
worked up the case, says that in the
first place nothing was free. Every
one who wrote to the firm sent two
how a
ton typewrittcn letter telling them
that the regular $25 instructions
would be sent to them for 81 cents.
A great many stopped with the send
ing of the two stamps, and they were
very little out and the firm was very
little in, but many more sent the money,
and thought they were then to be given
work, but they found that the 'outft
would cost them 81.
Very many stopped with the sending
of the smaller amount but thousands
sent the 81 and received in return an
artificial Bangor rose, and buds with
which to spray two others.
Then they found that they must in
vest $40 more for the material for so
dozen artificial flowers. the business of
the firm being too extensive to make
il possible for them to accept small
consignments.
The argument for the defendants,
sustaining the demurrer was made by
Hon. George f. Bird and Hon. Car
ence Hale, while the other counsel re-
tanned in the case are E. +. Payson,
Esq. A. F. Belcher. Esq. and John j..
Nanse of New York.
District Attorney Dyer spoke for the
government and he was assisted by
Hon. Harrison j. Barrett, acting as
sistant attorney of the poStoffice de-
partment.
Postoffice Inspector King of Wash
ington and Postoffice Inspector Boyle
of New York were here as witnesses.
Judge Webb took the matter under
advisement and will give his decision
at the opening of the April term.
The district attorney made a motion
to have the case continued to the
April term.
The trial jurors came ill., this after
noon, but were dismissed as there are
no cases for trial
Concerning this case, the New York Sun
of Feb. u, said:
Cash bail of $1,000 each was furnished
before Commissioner Shields. yesterday.
for William E. Skinner of Beekman
street. manager of the Sawyer Publishing
Co. of Watervile. Me. Mrs: Viola Fl.
Rae. proprietor of the Helen Mako
Co." at Fifth avenue and Twentieth
street. and her mother. Mrs. Angie Wing.
who are under indictment IN PORTLAND,
Me. for conspiracy to defraud. The post
office inspectors say that the accused ad-
vertised offering work at home in max
ing artificial flowers for which they
Pending the acceptance of the bail. Mr..
Skinner made d statement to the re-
porters.
II am an advertising agent he said,
"and the cash bail is provided by news
paper advertising agents of this city. we
absolutely deny the charges and assert
that this is a piece OF malicious prosecu-
ton on the part of certain post once ofn-
Gals. :.
.'The charges were brought up in an
Indictment found in 1897. All sorts of
threats have been made against us, put
we have remained ready to face them.
We shall go to Portland to face the
charges there We will be defended by
"a brother of Senator Hale. ~
1.-The indictments against us atose, ir ~,
SAWYER Publishing Co. which mas lts
headouarters in Waterville, Me-, and OF
which / am the New York agent, formed
an independent corporation, ,,,f 81 ,ns
art;f;niai flowers Charges were brought
:,gainst the agents of that corporation for
the misuse of the mails
"Nn;ther Mrs Wing. Mrs. Rae nor my
self had anything to do with the Flower
CO. am simply the agent OF tne SAWYER
Furnishing Co, publishers of cheap liter
Azure which is crcul tht ,a s nw So9 20
h 1,ns "nv connection whatever with the
Fairfield Floral Co.
,A,sss NEARLY ALL FILED