Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-14
Describes Alleged Bargain
With Joseph M. Johns,
TERRE HAUTRINCIDENT
CLAIMS THAT HE PAID THE
OTHER $500.
Miller, Assistant Attorney for Post Of
flee Department, Was to Make Fa-
vorable Ruling on Turf Co.

CINCINNATI, Ohio October 1.-THE
Miller-Johns trial fors alleged conspiracy to
procure bribe from ]. ]. Ryan & Company,
turf investors, for a favorable ruling by the
Post Office Department, was resumed today.
Judge Thompson decided that prima facie
case had been sufficiently made out to per-
NIT the testimony of Ryan TO be admitted.
Counsel for the defense excepted to the rul
ing and the examination of Ryan by the
government counsel was resumed.
Ryan repea ted in detail the alleged con-
versation between Johns and himself in the
room at the Terre Haute Hotel, during
which the witness claimed to have made
contract with Johns for 4,5O0 for favorable
ruling from Miller, the assistant attorney
of the Post Office Department. Ryan said
this sum-$1, 100 of it in cash and the bal
ance in two checks-he gave to Johns in the
Gibson House at Cincinnati last winter
Ryan told of subsequent transactions in
which he said Johns wanted more money
right along until the witness finally made
statement of the whole matter to the post
office inspectors and made no further efforts
to get bets on the races through the mails
Before Ryans examination was completed
James G. Bresnahan, assistant manager of
the Washington Office of the Western Union
Telegraph Company. was introduced. He
ed between Miller and Johns which were
used to corroborate the testimony of Ryan.
Defendants Deny Charges.
Miller claims absolute ignorance of any
transaction that may have occurred be-
tween Ryan and Johns. Johns claims that
he made an ordinary contract with Ryan
as attorney, to assist in securing decision
from the postal department after presen-
ia of defendants M
phatically deny any understanding between
themselves or with Ryan or any conspiracy.
Ryan's Story.
John J. Ryan, the star witness of the
government, was put on the witness stand
yesterday afternoon and remained until
the court adjourned. Ese gave the history
and an explanat ton ofsf.ss cooperative in
vestment company telrsg how he adver-
tised in the papers and received answers
with money by mail Last November he
was called on by post office inspectors and
soon afterWard received a notice from d.
V. Miller, as assistant attorney of the Post
Office Department, that his turf commits
sioners operations were fraudulent.
Hearing in This City.
Later he had a hearing before Attorneys
Christiancy and Miller, November II, in
Washington, where the whole matter was
nndlly fe1erreu TO MlNcF., Al tnlS meeting
Ryan promised to reorganize his cooper
ative investment company so, that his op-
erations as turf commissioner would come
within the requirements OF the postal laws.
He continued. however. to have trouble
and soon after his return to Washington
he received letter from Joseph M. Johns,
an attorney of Rockville. Indiana, in which
the latter said he could be Of service to
him.
After considerable correspondence by
mail and wire they met in Terre Haute,
Ind, where Ryan stated he registered un-
der the name of Rose, Ryan described in
detail how they finally retired to his room,
where Johns opened the conversation about
his troubles with the Post Office Depart
ment.
Objection to Testimony.
Ryan was proceeding to repeat the con-
versation that took place when the two
were alone in a room at Terra Haute when
he was interrupted by an objection from
Attorney Rulison to the witness testifying
to what Johns recited about Miller. Ryan
was testifying that Johns claimed to be
close to Miller and able to advise Ryan
what Miller had said could or would be
done in the pending case. Rulison objected
to connecting Miller in a conspiracy before
any conspiracy had been established
After both sides argued the question Of
allowing Ryan to proceed with what
Johns had stated that Miller had said re-
garding the case court took the objection
under aQyiSemenf until TODAY