The evening times., 1900-02-15

NEW YORK. Feb. l5.-John J. Rink and
Edward Collins told remarkable stories
before Judge Fursman. in the Criminal
Term of the supreme Court when the trial
Of Ernest N. Welch, lawyer. charged
with subornation OF perjury. was resum-
ed. They declared that Welch had coach
ed them as Witnesses. told them what to
say, and put them through severe cross
examination, in order that they might be
well prepared 10 meet the questions OF op-
posing lawyers.
The prosecution grows out of a suit for
civil damages. in which WEIGH figured as
attorney. Jacob Loes was run over by one
Of the Everard brewery wagons. at Fifty
fourth Street and Third Avenue in 1896
The boys father brought suit and obtained
a verdict for $4,000. WeIch being his at
torney. Fink and Edward Collins were
witnesses in the suit, and they were ar
rested on a charge of perjury. They have
become witnesses for the State in the
prosecution of Welch. on the charge Of
subOrnation of perjury.
When Rink was called TO the stand he
said he first became acquainted with
Welch through an advertisement for q
gripman. He was told by Welch that he
wanted a gripman to testify to how soon
a car could be stopped. This was in
suits against the Metropolitan Company
The witness said Welch finally told him
he could make big money by testifying
TO certain things in other cases.
He was told what evidence he was to
give in the Everard case He called
he said at Welch's Office and at his resi-
III;
fy. He admitted that he had several
times been a witness in cases when he
had never been near the scene of the ac-
cident and which in court he had testi-
fed having witnessed.
Assistant District Attorney Gray asked
Rink if he had testified in several suits for
the defence. Rink admitted he had Il
testified he said, ''ss an expert motcrman
in accident cases I had never seen
You were coached them Yes; We
used to have dress rehearsals in Weich' S
private Office for several weeks previous
TO the trial. First we were taken to the
scene Of the accident and instructed how
10 testify on that part of the case"
There were other witnesses them"
Yes: several We would be placed in a
chair in the corner of the Office, just as
if We were occupying the witness chair.
One of Felchs assistants would examine
us and this would be followed by a rigid
cross-examination by Welch himself. We
were well trained and coached, and We
made excellent Witnesses
Rink admitted having been arrested On a
charge Of perjury. but said he had rot
understood the enormity of the crime he
was committing, and that as soon as he
appreciated it he Immediately turned
States evidence.
Edward Collins. a State witness testi-
fed that he saw the accident through
which suit was brought against the Ever
ard Brewing Company. He appeared in
the Police Court when the driver was ar
rested. Ii was chiefly on his testimony
that the driver was discharged
Collins testified that afterward Welch
sent for him and had four interviews with
him. He said Welch offered him $500 if he
would testify in favor Of the child's side
Collins said he explained that he had made
a statement 10 the counsel for the brewery
and therefore could not change his story
He said Welch pulled $50 out of his DO ,ket
and offered Ii to him. telling him TO go to
the lawyers and get the statement and
tear of the signature. Collins said he
would not do that, but he did muster up
courage enough TO testify at the trial. He
admitted he had perjured himself for the
prosecution. and he said he had spent nine
months in prison.
Collins testified that We.ch had schooled
all of them. He said he was told to swear
he saw Rink at The scene OF the accident.