The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-19
Two Murrells, Robertson and
Helms Explain Their Testi-
mony Before Grand jury.
BRIBERY TRIALS PROCEED.
Judge Ryan Overrules the De-
fense's Objection Based on an
Alleged Irregularity in
the Indictment.

The trial of the five defendants charged
| with bribery in the Suburban case was re-
sumed yesterday. Judge Ryan overruiins
| the objection OF the defense to the testl-
| mony of John X. Murrell. The objection
| was virtually a demurrer TO the Indictment
| on the ground that it was multifarious
There were no new developments yester-
| day and the case dragged. The only fea-
| ture that aroused any interest on the part
| of the habitues Of the courtroom was the
announcement by the Circuit Attorney that
| the indictments against Tdmblyn, Schu-
mucher and Helms had been nolle prose-
quied and new informations filed against
them. This was done so that these three
could be used as witnesses against the nve
defendants on trial. Another feature was
the legal tilt between counsel for defense
when obtaining admissions from Witnesses
E. E Murrell, George F. Robertson and
John Hens that they had testified falsely
before the Grand Jury. and the Circuit AT
torney. who attempted to show reason Tor
their testifying falsely.
Robertson. Helms and Murrell testified on
cross-examination that they had sworn
falsely before the Grand Jury to protect
themselves and their fellow-combine MEM
berS. An effort was made to obtain from
them admissions that they had turned
States evidence in consideration of promised
|
he was telling his present story for the
sake of truth alone. Helms said he was
actuated by desire to avoid any more in
dictments, there being three pending against
him now.
SAME EVIDENCE GONE OVER
The testimony submitted yesterday was
the same as advanced in the Schnettler case.
Philip Stock and J. X. Murrell told of the
agreement to pay $4,000 for the votes of
the combine. and Stock counted the money
in court
The defense raised an objection to the
introduction of this money evidence,
claiming it was not all good and lawful
money of the United States" as aveSred,
basing this objection on the fact that Some
Of the bills are not national bank notes.
Judge Ryan will hear arguments on this
point to-day.
Robertson. E. E. Murrell, Helms. Captain
Charles Holtcamp. Lemon Parker and Lafe
Sturdevant testified to the existence of the
combine. the former three also relating the
action taken by which it was agreed to pass
the Suburban bill.
Richard Hospes, cashier of the German
Savings Institute. testified TO giving the
$1,000 to Stock at the instruction of Charles
II. Turner.
The State has three more witnesses to be
examined to-day before it rests. The de-
fense, 1t is said. will offer motion to dis
miss. and. IL it is oyerruled, will content
itself with introducing character witnesses
only. II Is probable the case may be ended
tonight
Helms stated on the witness stand that
the matter Of the Suburban Railway bill
was first brought to the attention Of the
combine by Charles Gutke. one of the de-
fendants on trial. who stated at a secret
meeting Of the combine that the Suburban
people had a bill they wanted introduced.
which promised rich pickings for the
boys" Thereupon the boys Immediately
caucused to determine the amount of
money they should demand for its passage
and ]. K Murrell was appointed to confer
with Stock. with the result already known.
COMBINE AGREEMENT.
Asked as to what agreement had been
entered into between combine members as
to their testimony before the Grand Jury,
Helms said that while he was waiting to
be examined by the Grand Jury in January
he had spoken to members of the COM
bine as they emerged from the Grand Jury
room and asked them what they had been
interrogated upon.
Among others. Gutke. he said. had told
him that the Grand Jury had questioned
him about the existence of a combine and
the depositing of the $4,000.