The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-16

after meeting Ryan at the Filbeck Hotel
he telegraphed Miller at Washington to en-
ter his name as attorney Tor Jonn j. Ryan
& Co. and also wrote that additionai evi-
the reports of the inspectors and requested
that the decision be wired him: He ad-
dressed his communication 10 Miller as
the latter was the only one he knew in the
department.
Much time was consumed in explaining
letters and kilograms that passed between
Johns. Miller and Ryan that had been put
in evidence by the prosecution. He insist
ed that he sent nothing TO Miller indivld-
ually, but only officially. He kept no copies
OF the latters ne sent Miller, Ryan and
others and never had a letter press in his
office. He had not preserved copies Of the
letters and kilograms that he received from
Ryan. Miller and others.
THE Jim TELEGRAM"
The scene over what is called the Jim
telegram" was most dramatic. Johns
stated that Jim was a nickname for ID.
". Miller and that the telegram reading
Letter sent. Have not written him. Go
promptly and signed Jim was from Mil
Ter and that 1t referred to the decision
which the government claims was sent to
Johns when no letter about 1t was sent to
Ryan, the prosecution holding that 1t was
intended for Johns to see Ryan first, etc.
Johns testified that he did nothing the day
he got the "Jim telegram" but that the
next morning he received two letters. one
for himself and the other for Ryan, when
he communicated with his client.
The examination continued to the meet
ing later In Cincinnati at the Gibson House,
when Johns aud Ryan were alone again In
the formers room from 8 p. m. until mld-
night, after which Ryan said he would
settle the next morning. Witness denied ne
then told Ryan: Here are the goods or
that 1T took mighty clever work to get
Christiancy's name to the document" The
witness handed Ryan the letter about the
decision the next morning and the latter
paid him $1,000 in cash and gave him two
These payments, with the 800 advanced
previously at Terre Haute, made $500.
Counsel for the defense then produced
bank books of the witness showing that
he deposited this money in banks at ROCK
vile and also his subsequent checks In
| disposing of it for building a new house and
| paying debts. This feature was gone into
at great length to show that the money
was disposed of by Johns without Miller Sc
curing any of 1t and that there was no
conspiracy. The witness testified that after
| meeting Miller at the election last Novem-
Der they had not met again until last
| February, in Terre Haute. when they had
| some talk about the Ryan case.
The direct examination of Johns con-
tinued under Charles w. Baker for two
hours and fifteen minutes, and then the
cross-examination by District Attorney
| Sherman Mcpherson proceeded for forty
| five minutes. Johns stated that Miller and
Mrs. Johns were related, but he could not
/ tell whether they were nrSl OF second
cousins. He had never been employed to
revise the literature passing through the
mails until he was engaged in the Ryan
case. Mcpherson asked If there were no
lawyers in st. Louis competent to advise
| the Cleague Commission Company.
Then the district attorney sharply exam
ined the witness as to his qualifications as
an expert on postal laws and the witness
could not mention the number OF any Sec
ton of the United States statutes on postal
regulations. He could not tell what legal
works he had consulted in preparing to
practice before the Postofice Department.
He had never been in the Postoffice De-
partment at Washington. He first heard of
RYAN & Co. through their booklet. He had
never seen their certificates or any other
literature previous to writing the firm that
he could be of service to them.
District Attorney Mcpherson confronted
the witness with letters that he had
written Ryan and others. Among the
many kilograms handed to the witness for
explanation was one sent to Ryan after the
Jim" telegram had been received, reading:
II have advices Of favorable decision In
your case" Another read: 81 am now
ready to settle the entire business on a cash
basis Pending this part Of the cross-ex-
animation court, shortly after 6 o'clock, adj
tourned until 9 a. m. Tomorrow, when the
examination Of Johns will be continued.