The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-25
CUBAN POSTAL METHODS
Witnesses at the Neely Hearing
Charge LaxneSs.
Snfc With the Funds Always Acccss-
ible to Those in the Omcc-The
Testimony Taken Mt Hnvnnn Not
Yet RcccivcG-The Circumstances
Incident to the Prisoners Arrest.

NEW YORK, July 24-The hearing of
the case Of Charles F. W. Neoly, the head
Of the financial department of the Cuban
postal service. which is being argued be-
fore Justice Lacombe as to whether he
should be extraditcd and stand trial in
Havana for embezzlement, was continued
this morning. with George Marshall of the
finance departmental in Cuba. on the witness
stand. Mr.. Marshall was or the witness
stand yesterday and described in detail the
management Of the postofIice in Havana
and the finance department in particular.
Today United States District Attorney
Burnett OF the prosecution paid particular
attention to the fact that the safe which
contained whatever funds We're in the post
Office had its outer door always open. and
that there was general laxness about the
handling Of the funds
John d. Lindsey, of the defence. briefly
cross-examined the witness. but long
enough to bring out the fact that the en-
pIoyeS OF the office all had access to the
safe, as we'll as the employees of the money
order bureau. who kept their money order
blanks in the safe. About one dozen en-
ployeS had access to the safe. Notwith-
standing that the door was never locked
II was brought out that the moneys were
placed in three drawers in plain view and
of easy access.
William Hoffman succeeded Mr. Mar
shaIl. Mr.. Hoffman is assistant cashier
OF the North American Trust Company
and verified various deposits made with
his COMPANY by Mr.. Neely. He was then
excused.
Major Eugene F. sadd. Treasurer Of the
Island OF Cuba, was next sworn and took
the witness stand. Major Sadd verified
various deposits made with him until April
10. Moneys were deposited with the North
American Trust Company to his credit but
since then have been deposited wit the
major personally. Major Sadd was e: cused
alter being asked few more questions
about deposits.
Col George H. Burton, Inspector General
Of Cuba. was then recalled and asked to
explain more fully his testimony given yes
terday concerning his inspection of the
postofilce finance department in Cuba,
In an affidavit given in Cuba. Colonel Bur
ton told of shortage in Mr.. Neely's ac-
count OF about $4,000. Colonel Burton
said on the stand that ne reiterated that
affidavit
Judge Lacombe stopped him and said: Il
don't care what testimony was given in
Cuba. 1t will not bear the slightest
weight in the world with me in deciding
this case. What must be done is to have
competent testimony given here If it is
proven conclusively that money was en-
bezzled and stolen from the public funds In
Cuba l will decide TO have the defendant
taken back to Cuba What must be done
is to have the competent testimony given
here and not in Havana" Colonel Burton
was then excused
The next witness sworn was William B.
Benham, former head bookkeeper under
Mr.. Neely. He was in Cuba in the finance
department. from January, 1899, to
June, 1899. Mr.. Benham merely testified
as to various methods Of entry. 1t was
brought out that the witness was dis
charged by Mr. Nicely for Incompetence
The next witct SIS was John o. Hazen,
head Of the detective bureau OF Roches-
ter. who arrested Neely. He described the
arrest in Rochester. and said that when
searched s6,7e2 was found on him in cur
rency. or this amount eleven bills were
Of the $500 denomination. There were also
two checks for $l1i each Detective Hazen
said that Neely was much surprised ct
his arrest. and protested his innocence.
The arrest was on May s, in Rochester.
just as Neely was going to take a train TO
Muncie. Ind. his home. On cross-exami-
nation it vas brought out that the two
checks were personal ones. received by
Mr. Neely after his arrival in New York
HaZen was then excused
G. T. Gregory, po5totIice Inspector for
Cuba, who was on the stand yesterday,
was again called. and gave more minute
testimony about the examination of the
books Of the finance department in the
Cuban pOstoffice