Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-27
THE ARGUMENTS HEARD
" u ~
ATTORNEYS IN STERN HEARING
ADDRESS THE COURT.
Charge MadeAgainst the Defendant in
- a.
Connection With a Govern
nient Contract.

The preliminary. hearing In the case of
false pretenses in connection with the post
office Investigation, was resumed before
Judge Scott In sthe United States Police
Court shortly before O'Clock today.
Attorney Classic made the opening argu-
ment for the defense. and was followed by
Attorney Taggert for the government. Mr..
Woodland began his argument shortly be-
fore o'clock
Mr. Woodland had not concluded at 3:0o,
when The Stars report closed.
Arguments by Counsel.
Stern is accused of representing to the gov
eminent that he had fulfilled a contract
made with the Post Office Department In
the supplying of letter carriers satchels-
The government, however, alleges that he
attached straps to the satclels which had
been previously purchased by the depart
ment. and failed to make a deduction for
the straps on his bill.
Attorney Classic of counsel for the de-
tense today Resumed his arguments, which
began yesterday afternoon, going into detail
ana taking exception to different parts of
the evidence. He was followed by Assist
ant United States District Attorney Tag
CERT, who from time to time took exception
TO the points brought out by Attorney Glas-
oAo' NotCiu' OocGtTeU, IL Ee pTelenOeu 10
have furnished the satchels according to
the contract should be held to await action
by the grand jury.
Counsel for the defense, he contended,
dWelt on the, fact that no mention was
made In the contract about the sup
plying Of straps to the satchels. In support
or his argument Mr.. Taggart read from
part or the Specifications clause which
called attention to the manner in which the
straps should be made. No authority. he
declared. had been given Stern for the mod
!ncatlon or changing of the contract. That,
ne explained. could only be done by the
such action.
For the Defense.
Attorney Woodland of counsel for the
defel.se, followed Prosecutor Taggert
The government" he said, Charges that
contract was made with Stern to furnish
strap; that Stern furnished the satchel,
out did not furnish Il strap; that Stern
mailed bill for the fun price for the
number of satchels furnished. The de-
partment audited the bill and paid the
money. The government shows that Stern
was ordered to use another and a different
kind of strap"
Sterns claim was ccrroborated by the evil
dence, that he was ordered to use a par
tlcular strap which the government fur
Ilsned him. under. the most ordinary cir
The Evidence Concluded.
The taking of, testimony was concluded
yesterday afternoon after The Stars re-
port closed -
Auditor Chew Of the Post Office Depart
ment, who was on the witness stand dur
ing the afternoon, testified regarding the
custom Of the department in auditing ac-
counts and sending the warrants to con-
tractors. What was regarded as an impor-
tant point was brought out by Attorney
Henry r. Woodland Of counsel for the de-
tense whenihe crdss-examined Chew The
witness. In repy to a question, recalled an
incident where a. contractor who furnished
satchels with Lamb straps attached to the
department sent In his bill without maxi
ing deduction for the straps. The depart
ment, he said, made the deduction, and the
contractor was paid, less the amount noted
for the straps.
Attorney Classic of counsel for the de-
PENDANT began his argument, going over
the evidence carefully and dealing with
every point. Stern, he declared had made
no false pretenses IN securing payment for
his work. He <noted that mention was
made in the contract or the specif1ca lions
calling on Stern to furnish the straps for
the satchels.
Attorney Classic had not concluded when
an adjournment was taken until today.