Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-09-27

Kuran trial was consumed IN the ex-
animation Of ex-Auditor Hills, Of the
Oregon Short Line When Judge Pow
ers got at the witness in cross-exam-
nation he assumed his usual aggressive
tactics. Mr.. Hills resentment at
Judge Powers course was shown in the
flush of his cheeks although he never
at any time during his rigorous and
trying examination exhibited any signs
OF ill-temper In fact he controlled las
feelings in most praiseworthy man
ner. Mr.. Hills was still on The stand
when the noon recess was taken.
HILLS TESTIMONY.
Auditor F. w. Hills took the stand
when the trial was resumed this morn
ing, The bank balance book was
placed in evidence and Mr.. Hills was
asked by Judge Varian 70 turn 10
| pages Il to IS, and asked II he saw
! recorded there checks Nos. $50, 1856,
I Gs84 69i6, G953, 1852, 6976, $685., 69s5, 6.,<,
5S92, 69y3, $751; C99S, zoos, 1904 1905, fOQ6,
1901 Mr.. Hills replied Yes In each
case. The nineteen checks amounted
TO y25,3l6,I3
Calling your attention 10 exhibits
Nos. to 9, ask you What they are"
Qaeried Mr.. Vafian
THE exhibits ere each statements Of
cash receipts and disbursements for
the DAY compared with those OF last
year"
The balance shown on the first state
ment dated February 2, Is SGi.924.fg.
which shows an error OF 5000 some
where on the books
There was no rule OF examining the
books OF the local treasurer By the
auditor" said Mr. Hills in crOss-exam-
inatlon by Judge Powers, "Out II Was
occasionally done. The last time the
books were checked up prior 10 FebIu-
airy $, 1901, was on May q. 1900
Judge Powers then offered N evil
denee the auditors report 10 the secre-
tary OF the Oregon Short Line Railway
company at New York dated May y,
1900, which he offered in evidence, and |
the prosecution Offering no objection,
the report was marked Defendants |
Exhibit A." This report CHIEF clerk |
McNiit explained IN his letter 10 the |
secretary did not include outstanding, |
uncOllecled bills and accounts.
This shovel the a,serunt, be cor |
rect at this time, May u. 1907 asked |
Judge Powers,
Yes. with the exception Of the out
standing bills"
This report was introduced by the
defense for the purpose OF showing that |
the local troasurer's reports were absO-
lutely correct seven months before the
alleged defalcation that the cash bal
ance as shown on the cash books was
correct
Mr.. Hills then testified that the cash
balance as shown by the bank books
on June 6, 1900 was $50 66S 80. and on
June 80, was this latter amount
was not stated, as there seemed to be
some discrepancy between them and
the figures that Travelling Auditor
Craig had testified TO al the prelimin-
airy hearing.
Judge Powers then asked Mr.. Hills
upon what authority he had examined
Mr.. van Kurans accounts. Was there
any bylaw Of the company authorizing
this authority? No Illus said that he
did not know Of any such law.
DID you have authority 10 remove
Mr., Van Kuran?' asked Judge Powers.
yes"
Then why did you 10 into Genera
Manager Bancroft"
simply to have my action con-
hnned.'
but Il was not necessary to have
Il confirmed"
NO"
Then it was a supernuous action7"
Gould the general manager have
suspended you?"
Yes"
"As a matter Of fact. Mr.. Hills, you
elt little piqned that Mr.. Van Ku-
an had resisted your authority. did
'ou not?"
"No, sir" .
after Mr.. Van Kuran had been sus- !
,ended YOU took him statement 70 o. /,
<, didn't your"
Il don't recollect that I did"
Didn't he say that he had no fur !
her connection with the Office and re- :
use"
81 don't recall that ! did" !.
Mr.. Hills admitted that such a thing /.
night have occurred. !
ION the Monday when the publication
( the defalcation came out I'm the pa
ers." continued Judge Powers. 'iid
ou say that you would be willing 10 do
II you could 20 help Mr.. Van Kuran?"
81 may have said SC"
when you summoned Mr.. Van Ku-
an 20 the Knutsford 10 meet Claim
gent Abbott Of the National Surety
ompany. didn't Mr.. Van Kuran say
hat he was aware of what he had been
allied for. and that he had no money!"
Substantially so; yes. |,
Didn't he say IN substance that II
he matter became public and he were -
rrcsted II would cripple him In HIS ef- [,
lrts 20 square matters up" ii
II don't remember him saying any, "
ling OF the kind OF
when the reporter called on you on 81
lnday and said that he had the whole I,
Of the case difn't you say I.
TAT you would neither affirm nor de. W
Y it," bl
Eyes. dld."
He asked YOU what the Insurance te
impany would 10. and YOU said that JC
he Fixed the matter up the Insurance of
,mpany would probably do nothing" as
Yes sir"
"And YOU held back from Mr. Van
uran that the National Surety com.
inv had already been notihed?" -.
''Yeg. sir" ~
"Ani you protested to be his frlcndy"
Yes sir"
MD not Mr.. Abbott say that they
luld get him 20 TX up as far as pos.
BE and then prosecute 10 The limit ?" Of
u was not aware that he did" So
Was there any talk between you ana
?. Abbott 70 the eject that ne would on
down 20 the jai and find out wha, NJ
could about Mr. Van Kuran's cir o''
instances" tol
Not thai 7 remember" sn
You had detectives on his track be. Of
~ he vas arrested" an
Yes 20
They never found out that he was
ing TO run away, cld theyY" 81,