The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-31
CASE OF G. W. BEAVERS
HIS COUNSEL EyDEAVORS TO LEARN
GRAND JURY SECRETS.
Miss Amy Wren Is Questioned, but Is
Not Permitted to Tell What She
Heard i'm the Room.

NEW YORK. Oct. S0-After many futile
attempts to secure her attendance, Miss
Amy Wren was the first witness called to-
day in the hearing before United States
Commissioner Hitchcock of George w.
Beavers. the former head OF the salary and
allowances department of the Postoffice
Department, who is charged with having
received money from the Fraudulent Com
pany. Of WATERFOWL. Wis, for which he
gave the company a contract for the pur-
chase of automatic cashiers manufactured
by it. Miss Wren is the official stenog-
rapher of United States District Attorney
Youngs. of Brooklyn, and as such took
the minutes of the federal grand jury in
Brooklyn last July which returned the in
dctment against Beavers. Congressman
briggs and George T. Miller, the local
manager OF the fraudulent Company
charging conspiracy TO defraud the gov
eminent
Miss Wren said she had been present in
the grand jury room in Brooklyn in July
last when the Beavers indictment was re-
turned.
who attended that body as witnesses?"
asked Mr.. Steuer, counsel for Beavers.
This question brought immediate OBJ
lection from United States District Attor-
ney Burnet, who protested that the grand
jury proceedings were sacred in the eyes
OF the law and the witness had taken an
oath not to reveal them. The objection was
sustained.
Mr.. Steuer continued to question Miss
Wren concerning what transpired in the
grand jury room at the time the indict-
ments against Beavers was returned and
Mr.. Burnet continued to object. Finally
lie asked the commissioner to instruct the
witness that she need not answer any
questions concerning what occurred in the
room. This the commissioner did. despite
Mr.. Steuer's objections. Mr.. Steuer said
lie desired TO show that no evidence was
a legal indictment could have been found.
Mr.. Burnet called the attention of the
commissioners 10 the fact that the indict-
ment had already been accepted by him as
United States District Attorney Youngs
was sworn and asked IL he produced the
papers and documents offered for its con-
sideration. Mr.. Burnet objected. saying
the records Were the property of the gov
eminent and that Colonel Youngs could
not produce them. The objection was sus-
tanned and the witness excused.
Inspector Little was then called. He
signed the complaint against Beavers, and
Mr.. Steuer questioned him at great length
to show that his averments in the COM
plant were based on hearsay and that he
had no personal knowledge OF the actual
facts. but without result The question
was finally asked the witness il he had any
personal knowledge OF Congressman
Driggs's connection with the Edward j.
Brandt-Dent Company.
Il have. replied Major Little.
Was your knowledge derived from either
OF them personality asked Mr.. Steuer.
1T was. / derived my knowledge from
Hr. Drigsg himself I'm conversation with
him"
MIR. Steuer evidently intended 10 go into
the briggs matter more fully but an OBJ
lection ended all questions in that direction.
Mr.. Steuer said he was ready 10 close the
case as soon az he was able 10 secure the
attendance OF Inspector Oldhsld and an
adjournment was taken until Monday.