The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-19
TAX FRAUD CASES
Capt. Edward Williams, Manager of
the Masonic Temple, Tells
How It Was Done.
The Officers Decided, as They Were
/ in Rome, to Do as the Ro-
mans Did.

Chicago, Nov. 19.-Captain Edward
Williams, former manager of the Masonic
Temple, who returned yesterday after
noon after hiding three weeks following
his conviction in the Masonic Temple tax
scandal, took the stand this morning as
witness for the state in the trial Of
President James n. Gormley for conspir-
acy. He testified that he had entered into
an arrangement with Luke Wheeler and a
man named Storm, presuming them to
| represent the county treasurer's office, to
secure a receipt in full for the temple
| taxes, amounting to $26770.17 for $4,000
and that he had done so with the full
| knowledge and consent of President
Gormley and of Director Rush, of the Ma
sonic Fraternity Temple association, then
its secretary and treasurer.
Il said to Mr.. Gornley," asserted Will
llams, that the county treasurer's office
had offered to give me a receipt in full
TOR 10000. Mr.. Gormley asked if I had
said anything to DR.. Rush. I said mo- but
told him If he wished me to do so, I
would see him. He said, You better
speak to DR., Rush. . ....
I conferred with DR.. Rush on the 10Th
or 18th of April. He wanted to know how
| it could be done and I said that was a
mystery to me, but had investigated and
was satisfied that it was with the full
| knowledge and approval Of the officers
| OF the county treasurer's office. I was
satisfied that it was bona fide so far as
the receipt was concerned. I told him
| my understanding was there were two
| ways that it could be done. One was by
certflcate of error in the county treas
| urer's office and the other was to make
| erty tax. " -
DR.. Rush said: - What does <Gorrnley
| say?' .....~ ~
Il said, T. don't know I first want to
know IT you, as treasurer, wish me to do
| THIS said 1t was very general prac
tlce to fix taxes for reduction. Then he
| said: Since we are in Rome, we had bet
ter do as the Romans do I said. Dc
you want this done? He said, Yes The
matter was then thoroughly discussed
with Gormley Gormley asked if there
was enough money in the treasury to
pay the taxes, and said if not, to borrow
! some. See what is wanted he said
and If there Is naything to sign, send
it over"
Williams testified that he had nothing
| to do with the drawing of the money for
the 100000 check. It was given to him
a day or two after this conversation and
he paid it over to Luke Wheeler and re-
ceived the tax receipt in exchange The
payment, he said. was made in his office
in the Masonic Temple. He was not sat
| isf1ed, he testified, with Wheeler's ex-
PLANTATION of his ability to secure the re-
ceipt for that amount, and Wheeler agreed
| to bring one Of the principal officers of the
! treasurer's office over. He appeared later
with a man whom he introduced as Mr.
Storm, who said he was authorized to
make the arrangement, and that it was
done by rearranging the personal property
| taxes.
| Peter Storm, who is presumed to be
the man IN question, was an employe OF
the county treasurer's Office at that time
but has since committed suicide.
did you ever have any further CONVEX
sation with Gormley after that already
| related?" asked Mr.. Barnes.
Eyes," replied Williams. ION the sec
ond day of August I went to his office. He
| said that Clos, the tax-tftle buyer. had
been to see him and said there was trouble
! in the county treasurer's office; that the
property had been marked paid and
| that Chief Clerk John w. Becker had
erased the mark. I saw him again Just
| before the commencement of my trial
When money was needed for my defense
Mr.. Gormley signed two notes of $4,000
| each.''
Williams declared that he had received
none of the $4,000 himself.
How much was Wheeler to get:' he
| was asked.
Nothing was his reply Il supposed
| it was a matter Of legitimate business
with him.
'Who was to get the s2o,0o0?"
| Mr. Raymond. as understood
| The witness testified that he believed
| and still believes that the receipt given
him for the Masonic Temple taxes en1a-
| mated from the county treasurer's office.