Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-05
THE POSTAL TRIALS.
Cases OF Tyner and Barrett at Wash.
irgton.

washington. May 4.-Richard NJ,
Webster resumed the stand in the trial
OF James n. Tyner and Harrison ].
i'arrett, on charges of conspiracy in
connection with their duties as assist
ant attorney general ard assistant to
'he assistant attorney general of the
post oillce department. A. S. Worth
iiStoh, counsel for the defence, cross
eNanined the witness in regard to his
testimony as to the procedure in lot
terry cases and the rule by which the
fraud orders are recommended. AMI
asked II his testimony before the grand
jury has been the same on the stand,
today. Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Tassart objected, but
Justice Fritchard permitted the ques-
tionr"for tile purpose Of imreaching the
witness and on other grounds
Mr.. WOrthington argued that If it
could be shown that the testimony of
the witness had varied on two coca.
sions the court will be bound to quash
the Indictments. The witness declared
that his answers before the grand and
petit juries were intended to convey
the same meaning. The witness said
the office of the fourth assistant post
master general We're first submitted to
Huebner, Il member of the office force.
In regard to the bond investment COM
panes under suspicion, Mr.. Webster
said ho had little knowledge.
w r. Cochran, chief inspector for
the post office department. testified in
regard to an accumulation of literature
in regard to bond investment COM
pInieS which was obtained for use of
The assistant attorney generals Office
at the request of Mr.. Barrett in invc,,
tiSatinG tie character of the business
performed by several concerns which
We're named.
Hayes Morgan. formerly clnrk in
the office of the assistant attorney gem
eral for III" post Office DEPARTMENT.
Identified a list which he had prepared
of hcrl investment companies. which
Wer" under examination at the re-
quest Of Mr.. Jarrett.
At tn" afternoon session Of the court
Mr.. Taggart eXamined Hayes Morgan.
Mr., Morgan said that after Mr. Barrett
had rendered his general opinion CLASH
flying the investment companies, he ap-
peared to cea%" to take an active part
m conducting the cases. Mr. Christian
cy came to the department about that
time and, Gen. Tyner instructed him to
take up the work where Mr.. Barrett left
off.
n number of letters We're received from
concerns. said the witness. in regard to
whether certain companies would lie per
mitted to use III" mails SO long n; lnny
mad no new contracts. Mr.. Morgan an
Swcrcd these letters in the absence of
Messrs. Christiancy and Barrett hasing a
negative reply ON the general opinion
which had previously been issued hv Mr.
Barrett concerning bond Investment COM
panies. When Mr. Barrett and Mr.
Christiancy returned MI Morgan was
Informed that he had taken the wrong
view of the situation. TIL" letters We're
then recalled and modified 10y the dcta-
tion of Gen. Tyner who informed the
compa MES that they would he permitted
to continue the use of the mails until the
depa rtmcnt ordered otherwise According
to the witness, this constituted the en-
tire change of policy in IN" department.
ON examination, the witness said
that Mr.. Barrett had most to do with the
bond Investment companies and that he
assisted Mr.. Barrett In the work Mr.
Morgan detailed n conversation between
himself and Gen. Tyner to show the lat
tiers attitude toward the bond Investment
the witness giving as testimony CONVERSE
lions which took place in the office.
. justice Prtchard sustained the ohjcc-
tionS Mr.. Worthington took exceptions
to the ruling.
Justice pritchard. over the objections of
| the prosecution. authorized Mr.. Worth
tington to examine the witness extensive
~ in regard to office practices in fraud
cases. While this was proceeding, court
| was adjourned until tomorrow