The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-06
ADAMS CASE EXPENSIVE.
TRIAL. STILL IN PROGRESS, HAS
ALREADY COST OVER $4,000.
Maintenance of Jurors, Court on
ciaIs and Attorneys, with Large
Expenditure for Witness Fees,
Make the Action Very Costly.

Three weeks ago today the trial of DIR.
z. r. Adams. accused of obtaining money
under false pretenses. was called. Today
the defendant ~ upon the witness stand.
being the eighth witness In his own be-
half There are yet more than ten wit
nesses TO be examined. after which will
occur the arguments OF the opposing at
torneys and the judges charge TO the
jury. The daily expense OF this trial TO
date Is $50 at least and this expense has
continued for twenty days. making the
total bills thus far fully $500, with the
end yet so distant that no one connected
with the case will venture TO predict the
date Of termination.
DIR. Adams alleged offense Is criminal.
The case was widely discussed and a
Judge from another county was called
upon to hear It. He receives a monthly
salary Of $3.50. or 81 per day. A jury COM
posed of twelve members II necessary.
and each man receives s. per day. These
jurors are fed and lodged by the county.
the expense for meals being No5 for each
man. or si2so daily. Two bailiffs are in
constant attendance on this jury. receiv-
ing IS for each twenty-four hours and
board at jury rates. The Jurors are given
a place to sleep at an expense or $40
nightly. The state employs two attor-
neys. whose combined professional SER
vices would easily command the sum
a stenographer, who receives IS per day.
The clerk receives 50 per day, and wit
ness fees aggregatng e45 are also taxed
against the county for each day that the
trial continues. These expenses give a
total of Sis 90 and when the incidentais
place daily expense of $50 Is easily
reached.
The blame, IL any there is, for the
length of the trial rests. apparently, with
no one. The Judge presiding gives close
attention to the case, holds sessions OF
usual length and permits no waste OF
time. The attorneys for the state are
jealous and efficient. and the counsel for
the defendant are seemingly anxious to
close their case. But the facts remain
jury has been held together, that the ex-
pense for the trial to date is more than
5000. and that the end 10 not In sight.
A heavy item Of expense Is the almost
constant attendance of more than twenty
witnesses. One man has reported his at
tendance for nineteen days. and has been
on the stand less than three hours. 9th
periods during the past week or two. and
are held In attendance because they may
be wanted again
The jurymen have been confined for
three weeks. to the great detriment of
their business and personal affairs. The
business Of the courts Is being delayed
Many prisoners awaiting trial In the
expense by their board. lodging and
guards
DR.. Adams. the defendant. was on the
mony was completed during the morning
session. and the afternoon was devoted
to cross-examination. conducted by John
b. Hart.
DIR. Adams Is said by the attorneys TO
be a good Witness He answers fully, but
doss not attempt explanations. and 80 far
has preserved his self possession under a
searching line of questioning. He win be
recalled this morning.