The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-04

Testimony connecting Irwin A. Gardner
not only with the collection of hush money
from the. ''big mitt combine but also
from women whose mode of life render
them amenablesto police interference, was
introduced into the Gardner trial this
morning and, although the attorneys for
the defense spent most OF their time in
Directing to it's reception, they were I'M
able to secure favorable ruling from
the court. 81
A. P.sLoomfs, attorney for the big mitt
ers, was the star witness Of the session,
and his disclosures proved to be most SEN
sational. Mr.. Loomts testified that Gard
ner had come to him with the explanation
that be had been sent by Lincoln Cross
man 10 arrange for the refHndment OF
$500 paid I'm advance by the gen Tor po
lice protection which was afterwards de-
MED them. Although Mr.. LOOMS was az
ready familiar with the facts In the case,
Gardner explained to him that the gang
had paid $500 Of the $1,000 demanded for
ten weeks work They were permitted to
then ordered to close up. This is the
money that Edwards testified was paid to
Gardner for 1.-THE old man. that express
sion being used to indicate Mayor A. A.
| Ames. 49,. $780, s.
j Referring to that conversation Mr..
Loornis testified that Gardner. had told
him it was his business to collect pro
lection" money from confidence men and
1 from abandoned women. This corrobor-
ates Edwards testimony again, and that
1 1t will receive still, further confirmation
i before the state closes is certain In all
! probability. women will be produced who
I will swear that they paid Gardner money
| for which they were granted special ia
vors in plying their nefarious trade.
1 Defense Seems at Sea.
! As the case progresses it is becoming
more and more evident that the defense
is entirely at sea. 1t has been treated
to so many surprises that it Is no longer
startled at anything: 1t expects the
worst. 1t anticipates nothing. Last
night conference was held in the offices
of Erwin & Mead, attorneys for Gardner
4 At that conference both attorneys were
father, Mayor Ames' license inspector
Other men dropped in from time to time
The result Of that conference is MOI
known: but 1t was a doleful crowd tina
filed down the stairs Of the Globe build
ing after II O'clock last night.
| States Case Well Put IN.
Assistant County Attorney AL J. Smith
Is making the effort of his life to Sc
, cure Gardner's conviction and he feel
: confident of success. Attorneys who hav'
) att ended the trial are loud in thei
! praises Of the way in which he has mar
shalled his facts and presented them t
4 the jury, and his conduct of the trial Vi
3 case is mastery, his method OF examining
4 witnesses nicely calculated to convinc
= the jury, and his conduct fthe trial u
t to date excellent. Any one who watche
: the jury while damaging testimony is be
!. ling given can not doubt that the jurymel
! are impressed, and that 1t will take a.
i unusually strong defense to make then
! change their minds.
: However, the case is still far from al
J, end; and the fight will come over rebutta
Y testimony 1t seems now as. though
Gardner's only hope for escape rests witt
5 city hall officials. In order to impeacl
: the states witnesses city officials from
: the mayor down must go on the stand an,
! swear positively to a different state 0
: facts from those already presented.
: Ames to Take the Stand.
/ Mr.. Erwin, this morning, asked Edwi,
s M. Conner, one of the witnesses, II IN hi
. telephone conversation with Mayor Arnes
he did not neglect to mention that Ed
) wards claimed to have paid any specifi
sum of money to Gardner. In reply t,
! that question, Mr.. Conner gave sharl
4 and decided negative. The manner of tn
d defense, however. indicates that tn
/ mayor will be sworn and that he will den,
:; Corners statement
There has been much said in this cas-
h about a conspiracy against the city ad
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