The San Francisco call., 1904-12-29
GRAND JURORS
HEAR MITCHELL
Senior Senator From Oregon
Gives His Testimony in
Land Fraud Investigation
NERVOUS AND WORRIED
Congressman Binger Her
Mann Also Summoned Be-
fore the InquiSitOrial Body

PORTLAND, Dec. 2S.-Bent with
his more than three-score years and
ten, and leaning up on the arm OF his
law partner, the white-haired senior
Senator from Oregon, John H Mitch
eli. who for the better part Of a quar-
ter Of a century has represented his
State in the Federal Congress. to-day
went into the Governments inouisito-
rial chamber to tell what he know con-
cerning frauds which the Government
he has served so long believes have
been perpe1rated upon it in the acoui-
sitiOn OF its public lands
Tired and carewOrn he came from
the jury room al the noon hour. only
. 10 return in the afternoon. Later. when
the Senator left the courthouse. ap-
parently nervous and worried. il was
stated that the investigation. so far as
Mitchell was concerned. had ended.
What transpired in that chamber is
unknown further than that Mitchell
went into IL with no more favor than
would have been extended the hum
blest citizen OF his country. Neither
his request that he be confronted with
. any testimony that the Government
may have found TO his detriment nor
that he be furnished with the names
OF his alleged accuSers was granted.
Whether he was allowed to make any
exculpatOry statement is not known
The jury IS sworn TO secrecy, MeSsrs.
Heney and Hall. the Governments at
torneyss refusing TO make any state
ment whatever Of what transpired.
and Mitchell, the only other person
who knows, went directly to his apart
ments in the Hotel Portland and re-
fused absolutely TO receive callers.
The rest Of the afternoon with the
3urors might have been a session Of
Congress for all the effect 1t appeared
10 have upon Congressman Binger
Hermann He appeared shortly after
2 o clock IN the afternoon and went
. into seclusiOn IN the inner Office Of the
District Attorney after he had greeted
a lew acquaintance in the outer Of
fees and the hall When called to the
Jury room he shook hands with those
whom be knew in the corridor and
patted Attorney Heney heartily on
the back When the session had closed
for the day Mr.. Hermann remained in
the jury room for some time, convers-
ing with Heney and the jurors, among
whom he found several whom he had
known IN various parts Of the State.
The time Of the jury viii be taken
gp by Hermann for the greater part
Of the forenoon tomorrow, but il is
thought that he viii have told his
story By the noon adjournment.
The Government, so far as is
known. olQ not recede from its stand
announced yesterday to the effect
mat ii would neither make known its
. Witnesses 10 Senator Mitchell and Her
mann nor tell them aught OF the case.
IN fact il is not thought that the
testimony Of Mitchell and Hermann in
their alleged connection with the land
o frauds has as yet been taken up by
the. jury specifically. II is supposed
% that a great deal OF what has been
told the 5urOrs by many Of the wit
neSSes who have been examined prior
70 this time has had an indirect bear
ing on the case. II is thought that
senator Mitchell and Hermann were
given this opportunity TO give their
testimony and answer any questions
Vi hich might be asked by the Jury be
fore the case itself has been brought
before IL in order TO enable the Con-
gressmen 10 return To Washington in
time for the recOnvening Of Congress.
Some Of the men indicted on Tuesday
afternoon have appeared and will give
the $4,000 bonds fixed by the court 6
B. OTmsby Of Salem was given five
days in which TO enter his plea. and
was also allowed one day to secure
bail. In the meantime he was released
on his own recOgnizance. c. z. Loonis
Of Eugene gave his bond as required
Mayor W. H Davis Of Albany did not
reach the city to-day, as expected. He
viii probably arrive in Portland to-
morrow. when he will give his bond.
George SOrensOn is reported to have
returned To Portland to-day, but has
not as yet made his appearance