The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-20
HARRISON BARRETT
TAKES ALL THE BLAME
Continued from First Page)

that other circumstances than good le-
gal training had induced the Investment
concerns to pay him such large fees for
his work before the PostoGice Depart
ment.
Frequently exchanges of opinion be
tween opposing counsel enlivened the
days proceedings.
General and Mrs. Tyner and all the
Barrett connections were in court as
usual. DR.. Sewers. General Tyner's ply
stefan. was also in the court room for
portion Of the day.
More Character Witnesses.
When today's session began the de-
Tense called three additional character
witnesses before asking Barrett to re-
sumo the atand.
These witnesses were William D. West
and c. II. Rudolph. of Rudolph. West &
Co., hardware merchants. and Irwin Z.
Linton, a local attorney. All expressed
confidence in Barrett's character and in
tegrity.
Witness Barrett took the stand and
identified number of personal letters,
which were read 10 the jury by Mr..
| Worthington. They were introduced to
show that, contrary to the allegation
that Barrett had determined. long in ad-
vance of the foundation Of the opinion,
what its nature should be, he had III
reality changed his views from time to
time as his investigation into the bond
investment schemes progressed.
In all his professional relations with
bond investment companies. witness had
required a full compliance with the law
He cited some instances in which the
department. instead of ruling in his
hn1 fcc-rr a1 .T~-c,
against them.
| Opinion Still in Use.
Correspondence was introduced by Mr..
Worthington to show that the Barrett
opinion is still used by the Postoffice De
partment.
Mr.. Worthington commented on the
significance of this. as indicating that
/ time had shown the accuracy and value
| Of Barrett's opinion.
And that Mr.. Robb is handing down
the same kind of opinions as Mr.. Bar
rett." added Mr.. Hershey, of the defend
ants counsel.
That Mr.. Robb is just as good as Mr..
Barrett" commented District Attorney
Beach. interpreting the remark.
i nope so, returned Mr.. Hershey.
Tyner Got No Fee.
In response 10 a direct inquiry from
Mr. Worthington, witness said General
Tyner had not shared in any fees OBJ
tanned by him from any Of his dealings
before the department.
Witness reason for locating in Bal
timore. instead of Washington. was due
to his desire TO be identified with "A
commercial city, thinking there was
more business to be gotten there
I, 4
there, but had been contemplating
studying for the ministry. helms did
not intend to do so until he had be-
! come possessed Of a competency, so
that he would not have to depend on a
salary in his religious work.
| Soon afterward helms get an uneN-
pectedIy large amount of money from a
| Newport News business deal and deter
mined to study for the ministry at once
| This encoUra ged Barrett TO take up the
law practice there without delay.
/ Barrett's Big Income.
] Witness was asked TO explain a state
ment made by a previous witness that
ne (BarretD had made $4,000 in fees in
| two years
! He declared this was not all from prac-
/ tice before General Tyner. He had been
retained by newspaper publishers to rep
| resent them before the Third Assistant
! Postmaster General. About 1900 Of it
came from the publishers who had en-
/ ployed him in this work.
Inquiry along this line developed the
fact that Major Conrad. the Govern
ment's special counsel. had been engaged
in the same case before the United
States Supreme Court.
Surprised by Clients.
Witness further described his work
/ as an attorney, and said he had kept
out, as much as possible. Of practice be-
fore General Tyner's office. He did not
care to take "promiscuous cases." he
said. One company which came TO
him, was insistent on obtaining his ser
vices. This was the Physicians 1nsti-
tute. Of Chicago.
Il told them I would charge them a
fee Of 5000" Barrett testified. and
was never more surprised IN my life
than when they said All right
Never had he done anything, in prac-
tice before General Tyner, except to lay
before him the actual facts in the case,
witness said. He had satisfied himself
that the company was not violating the
law. and had. in fact. prepared memo
randum for General Tyners opinion IL
| the case. Out Coulu see no lplDll itlg
in 50 doing, as II was in the interests
only Of a proper adjudication Of the
case.
Turf Concern Business.
| Witness discussed his services as coun-
sci for the f. J. Arnold Turf concern,
after telling them he did not wish 10 &C
cept them as clients. They insisted and
he took the case, acting with their home
attorney. a Mr.. Fauntleroy.
In November 1902 witness said,
900 was paid TO me through the
Postal Telegraph Company in this city
Mr. Fauntleroy asked whether l would
not be willing to accept 5000. I sent a
message accepting the offer, but the