The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-29
Binser Hermann Keeps His Nerve
and SIaps His Friends on
the Back.
HfNEY SHOWS HIS TEETH
Government Does Not Rsoede From
lie Position and the Senior Ore
son Senator Appears Same as
the HumbIest Citizen.

Portland, Dec. 2s.-Hermann ap-
pearsd shortly after z o'clock this aft.
ernoon, and, whom called to the jury
room, shortly before ., no shook hands
with those he knew and patted Hsney
on the back.
The time of the jury will be taken
up by Hermann for the greater part Of
tomorrow mornings session, but Il is
thought he will have told his story by
noon adjournment.
The government, as far as known,
will not reeeds from the stand an
nounesd yesterday to the effect Il will
neither show witnesses to Mitchell and
Hermann nor tell them aught Of the
case.
Portland. Dec. 2s.-John II. Mitchell.
senior United States senator from Ore
gon. passed all of this forenoon before
the federal grand jury,
The appearance OF these men before
the federal grand jury marks the first
known steps by that body TO inquire
into. with a view Of indictlng, should
the evidence warrant, some Of the
highest and most widely known officials
in the state OF oregon. The appearance
OF Senator Mitchell before this inquisi-
torial arm Of the law would seem to
indicate that full investigation of the
alleged fraudulent relations Of these Of
flclals to land swindles In this state is
now fairly on, but the arrangement
may possibly be one by which Senator
Mitchell and Hermann are to present
their statements to the grand jury,
and then be allowed TO return to Wash
ington. Still there Is speculation that
the grand jury has now actually begun
the -looked-for probing process
into their rumored connection with
frauds against the government.
Senator Mitchell went before the
grand jury few minutes after 10
o'clock this morning Accompanied by
Assistant District Attorney Heney, the
senior senator walked from the Office
of the district attorney to the grand
jury chamber, and an instant later dis
appeared from public view through the
door, out Of which are expected to come
indictments that win shake up the po-
litical flxity of things In Oregon.
II was pathetic sight, and one COM
mented upon by onlookers, when the
senior senator from Oregon entered the
secret chamber Bowed by the weight
OF years, this official, who most Of the
time for the past quarter of century
has represented Oregon In the most
dignihed legislative body in the land,
walked with slow and uncertain step
into the presence Of 21 men, sworn on
their oaths to indlct all whose actions
are contrary to the DEGREES OF law. It
seemed long time before he emerged
again, and then the man whom during
all these years Oregon has honored
looked tired and worried and care
worn. Asked II he had finished his
testimony. the senator said that he had
not, and that he would appear again
this fternoon, when the grand jury
reconvened at o'clock. In his hands
the senator carried bundle of docu-
ments and papers. evidently something
he had offered in evidence in his be-
half, although the character of them
was not made known.
There was party OF about dozen
witnesses around the grand jury room
door at noon. when the jury adjourned.
Assistant District Attorney Heney re-
luested that they call at his room dur
Ing the noon honr. A little consulta-
tlon was held and 1t appeared that
some complaint was made about fol-