Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-21
HEARING RESUMED
Stutler Case Again Before
Commissioners.
WIT N ESSES HEA RID
ABSTRACT OF TESTIMONY GIVEN
LATE SATURDAY.
Effort Of Mr.. Suffers Accuser to Cor
roborate His Charge Of
Blackmail.

When the Stutler inquiry was called to
order by the Commissioners at $40 o'clock
this afternoon there were several witnesses
present In the board room at the District
building waiting to be examined. T. Conrad
Dodge. Peter Bissett and Jefferson D.
Young were the witnesses called by MIR.
Royal Robinson. Mr.. Conrad, an inspector
for r. v. Rusk in the ash collection service.
was also present when the hearing was re-
sumed. and 1T is understood that Mr.. Con-
rad was present at the instance of Mr..
Stutler. 1t could not be ascertained, when
The Stars report closed. whether not
Mr. Conrad would be called to the stand.
nor could the nature of his proposed testi-
mony be ascertained should he be called
upon to testify
During the examination late Saturday
evening of Royal Robinson with reference
to his charge of blackmail against Super
intendent Warner Stutler, Robinson stated
that he told Mr.. Dodge and Mr.. Young sew
eral years ago of the alleged attempt of
Superintendent Stutler to blackmail Lilly
| & Robinson. He also mentioned that he
| told Inspectors Barnes and Beymer OF the
street cleaning department of the alleged
| attempt at blackmail.
Expects Confederation.
| Robinson expects Messra Dodge and
| Young to corroborate his testimony to the
effect that he Informed them several years
| ago of the alleged attempt at blackmail.
By Mr.. Bissett's testimony Robinson ex-
poets to show that Mr.. Stutler had stock
transaction with Bissett similar to the deal
Mr.; Stutler said he had engaged In with
Robinson. =
Mr. Dodge is a partner in the firm of
Louis d. Wine & Co, real estate dealers in
this city, and it is stated that he and Rob-
1nson are members of the same gun club
JEFFERSON d. Young raSfdaS NJ
Deposit. Md. When Mr.. Robinson first
came to Washington as contractor for
street sweeping, about five years ago. as Is
stated. Mr.. and Mrs. Robinson boarded at
Mr.. Youngs house. Mr.. Young was in the
city yesterday, and the Commissioners
subpoena was served upon him. Mr.. Bis
sett, it is stated, is a gardener employed
near the city.
Mr. Robinson. at the inquiry Saturday
evening, said he had mentioned to his wife
the advisabilty Of photographing the note
which he said Stutler had given him. prior
to surrendering 1T to Stutler. A deposition
from Mrs. Robinson. viii is now In Indian
apohs, VIII be taken upon set or ques-
lions which will be forwarded to her by
the Commissioners and Attorneys Cole &
Donaldson. Mrs. Robinson will be ques-
toned with reference to her knowledge of
In view of the new developments and
the further examination of witnesses, it
is believed that the Commissioners will
not enter upon the final consideration of
Absence Of Mr.. Lilly.
Prior to the adjournment of the inquiry
late Saturday evening Commissioner
mcfarland, president of the board of
Commissioners. deplored the action of Mr..
Lilly in leaving this country for Paris.
France, while such serious charges as are
under investigation were pending 1t is
not known whether or not Mr.. Lilly will
be asked to testify with reference to the
case. He will not return to this country
from France until next April, but it has
been suggested that perhaps an affidavit
from him with reference to the matters
of which he is alleged to have knowledge
may be requested.
The afternoon session of the Stutler in
quiry last Saturday was not resumed I'M
til about o'clock, when Attorney Cole
continued his examination of Robinson.
never expected to collect the money al
legged to have been loaned to Stutler he
had taken Suffers notes for the amount.
Merely as a matter of FORM replied
Robinson, Ito save Mr.. Suffers feelings"
Didn't you know such transaction was
against the lawT'
mo; did not
Didn't you mean this money to influence
Mr.. Suffers official actions?''
NO; merely to insure unfair treatment
from Mr.. Stutler.'
Not Meant as Bride
Robinson insisted that the money which
he alleged Lilly G. Robinson had loaned to
Stuter was not meant a bride, but to
insure that the firm would get a fair
shake" which witness said other contract
ors had not received.
What other contractors do you refer to
as having received unfair treatment ask
ed Judge Cole.
''Daggett and Dugan," replied the Witness
Il don't know of my own knowledge that
they received unfair treatment but Judge
so from what Daggett and Stutler both
told me-
case was gone over by the Commissioners
and approYed?'
Yes. but l believe the Commissioners
were deceived"
Judge Cole to whether he possessed. or
had tried to get into the hands of the Com
missioners. letters from Lilly to Robinson
regarding the loans to Stutler.
This brought an explanation from Com
missioner West, who strongly intimated
that he did not like the suggestion of any
body having employed indirect means to
get Lillys letters before the Board of Com
missioners. He said Robinson had sent to
a friend In Washington Lilly's letter saying
Lilly had loaned Stutler 800. This friend.
said Mr. West. had given to him the Lilly
letter and the Commissioners had seen it.
Judge Cole objected to the admission of
the letter In evidence, but the Commission
ers stated that while the general rules Of
evidence would be adhered to, the Commits
sioners were not sitting as court of law,
and that the rules of legal practice would
not be strictly followed.
At this point Robinson said that he would
be glad to give the names of several men
to whom he had spoken a long time ago
about the loans from Lily and Robinson
to Stutler. The names were: T. Conrad
Dodge. Jefferson Young, Inspectors Barnes
and Beymer of the street cleaning depart
ment and Capt. Charles C. Brown. Wit
ness said he gave these names merely to
show that the blackmaii charge was not
trumpet up at the eleventh hour in the in
vestigation.
Mr.. Suffers Denial.
Superintendent Stutler then took the
stand and denied the charges contained In
Robinson's affidavit In succession as they
were asked him by Commissioner Macfar-
land. Mr.. Stutler denied having ever re-
quested loan of money from Lilly Robin
son. the firm of Lilly & Robinson, or any
representative of the firm. Witness also
said he had never asked Robinson to con-
tribute money for West Virginia campaign
funds. He denied having stated that he
F-nt Hi r.