The Indianapolis journal., 1903-10-17
And Says the slim Telegram" to His
Rockville Friend Was Not a Sc
cret Code Message.
EXAMINATION OF MR.. JOHNS
AND FURTHER TESTIMONY OF RESI-
DENTS OF INDIANA.
Government and Defense Rest and Ar
guments Are Begun-Jury to Take
the Case Tonight.

CINCINNATI. Oct. 1.-THE evidence was
concluded and arguments were begun to-
day in the trial of Miller and Johns for
alleged conspiracy to extort postal bribes.
AS six hours We're allowed for arguments
and only half hour was consumed before
court adjourned tonight. IL is evident with
five and half hours for arguments to-
morrow and additional time for the charge
OF the Jury and motions. the case will not
go to the jury until tomorrow evening.
1t - thought by some there will be no
verdict until Monday
The feature to-day was the testimony of
the two defendants. For the first time dur
ing the week John ]. Ryan was not on the
stand, but Chief Inspector Cochran ap-
peared for the third time. After being on
the witness stand three hours yesterday
Johns was cross-examined for over an
hour to-day. He denied that he had told
Inspectors Vickery and Fulton when they
were investigating him at Rockville that
he would talk IL he thought nothing would
come Of 1t except the dismissal of clerk
in Washington. Most of his evidence con-
sisted in such denials.
Miller was the witness stand from
1880 a m until p. m. and was generally
conceded to be an exceptionally strong wit
ness for himself both in direct and cross
examination. He was cool and deliberate
and the court frequently stopped him
from arguing his own case while answering
questions. His examination by RulisOn
was considered an exceptionally strong pro-
seeedfng, while Miller afterward- was con-
nade t % tns bsnS most n t
ing to explain contradictions in his own
statements.
JOHNS ROSS-ExAMINED.
District Attorney Sherman Mcpherson. in
resuming the cross-examinatfon of Johns
this morning, closely questioned Johns as
10 how Ryan could make him any trouble,
also as to why he did not give Ryan the
Christiarcy decision of Dec. 16. when they
first met on the night of Dec. 16 at Gin
cinnati and withheld the same until Ryan
paid the balance of 81. 400 the next morning.
Johns denied that Miller was the one who
was expected TO revise Ryan's literature or
that his friendship with Miller was his
special qualification. He said his telegram
TO Miller reading: Our first proposition
accepted" did not refer TO the written con-
tracts with Ryan. but TO another matter.
Johns again questioned as to his bank
book and checks. but nothing new was
brought out. telegram was presented
showing that Johns had Offered his serv-
ices before the Postoffice Department to
Secretary Smith of the National Security
Company OF st. Louis and then the wit
ness was closely questioned whether he
considered IL professional TO solicit busi-
hess.
Albert VI. Adams. an attorney of Rock
vile. Ind, with offices adjoining those of
Johns. was examined as TO his recent rela-
tions with Johns and some business he had
transacted for him and as TO Johns calling
Miller by the name of Jim"
w. III. Nichols, cashier of the Rockville
National Bank. was examined as to Johns's
business aud produced records of the bank.
Fred II. Stark, cashier OF the Parke State
Bank at Rockville. was examined regarding
Johnss business with his bank. At Johns's
request the accounts of Johns were turned
TnS Ufolro
Fulton.
Thomas Aydelottle. sheriff of Parke
county. Indiana. and brother-in-law of
Johns. testified to accompanying Johns to
Terre Haute Nov. 2s, when Ryan was first
introduced TO Rose Ryan asked witness
what kind of lawyer Johns was Wit
ness said he a good one. RYAN then
told the witness he had just empIoyed
Johns. Sheriff Aydelotte also accompanied
Sear Johns sS tell RYAN he Sd nS
you the goods" or 1T took clever work to
get that signature of Christiancy," or any
thing OF that kind. He Ryan settle
with Johns on that occasion by paving the
balance of $500 in checks and cash
Frank NJ. Johns, of Montezuma. also in
defendant. testified TO being an investor
with John j. Ryan and TO furnishing the
1atter's booklet TO the defendant when the
witness consulted his cousin.
Joseph NJ Elicit, merchant of Rock
willie. testified TO loans from Johns and other
business relations
IN BEHALF Ot MILLER.
When the defense of Johns closed Chief
Postoffice Inspector Cochran. of Washing
ton was called as the first witness for Mil
Ter and re-examined regarding the inter-
views OF the witness and Robb with Miller
when they had stenographers present In
spector Cochran testified TO prior inter-
view when he took Miller TO Shoemaker $
saloon in Washington on March 10 and
charged that 'Ryan had been held nm
and wanted Miller TO explain it, At that
time the inspectors suspected another at
torney in the employ OF Ryan and not
holding Miller's mail. He was asked IL the
unafl was afterward given 10 Miller or re-
turned; whether Miller had not said he
would open all his mail in his presence and
many other questions TO the investigs
ton, 10 which objections were made and
sustained that no answers were given.
Miller had given him an order for the Jim
telegram and other kilograms and insist
ed that they were personal and not official
Francis Huebener. clerk in the office of
the assistant attorney general for the Post
TO taking part in the hearings and consid-
Grafton of the Ryan case by ChrIstiancy
and Miller. Huebener testified that Chris
tiancy thought IL would be better TO have
comply with postal requirements than 10
issue a fraud order and so instructed Mil
ler who prepared the questions TO be pro-
pounded 10 Ryan * Co. and the next day
brought, in the draft OF a letter TO Chris
tfanrv with stipulations to be sent TO RYAN
q Co The witness said IL was agreed m
November that the Ryan case would be
closed IL the sttpulatfons then submitted
were observed.
". Miller took the stand at ll:i0 A. m
recitinx a full story OF his life until he be-
came over a., cs ago 90 ,b nsslsan
1>x General for the Postofdce Department