Evening star., 1904-03-26
HE NEEDED THE MONEY
SENATOR BURTON ON THE STAND
IN his OWN BEHALF.
Tells Why He Accepted Offer of Rialto
Company to Act as Gen
eral Counsel.

A dispatch from st. Louis last night says:
Previous to the defense resting it's case,
late today, United States Senator Joseph
r. Burton of Kansas took the stand in his
own behalf in connection with the charge
of having Illegally accepted fees from the
Rialto Grain and Securities Company of
st Louis. When he had concluded he was
excused from the stand without cross-ex-
animation by the government
Senator Burton testified that he had ac-
cepted the offer of the Rialto company to
act as its general counsel because he had
lost heavily in a financial panic and needed
the $500 month for which his contract
called
81 was assured by the company" he said,
that my services would not be needed in
Washington in any capacity. 1t was eX-
planned that Major Dennis, president of
the Rialto company. had become involved
In trouble growing out of the operation of
the Brooks Brokerage Company. and that
part of my duties would be to defend him
In any criminal action that would be
brought against him.
Company to Use His Name.
THE Rialto company was also to have
the use of my name and my services were
to have been used in connection with
securities department of the Rialto COM
pany. which at that time was projected.
1 expected to familiarize myself with the
condition of the corporations offering the
securities for sale and become acquainted
with the officers OF the trust companies
which make a speciality of handling Sc
curities of that character"
Senator Burton testified that he had re-
ceived a letter from Thomas Harlan, local
attorney for the Rialto company notifying
him of his appointment as general counsel
on November 10, 1902.
Reference was made in that letter to
the indictment of Major Dennis" continued
atNr TQN.-e and IN
Post Office Inspector Cochran at Washing
ton. l asked him whether Dennis had been
indicted, and told him that II 1t was done
/ expected to assist in his defense. Coch-
ran told me that he did not know anything
about II.
II do not remember how the matter
arose. but l explained to Cochran that
Dennis owned the Rialto company. and
asked him II there were any complaints
against the concern.
His Inquiry About Complaints.
Judge Chester II. Krum. senior counsel
for the defense. who was conducting the
examination, asked Senator Burton why
he inquired about the complaints.
II had Just been employed by the COM
pany as its general counsel replied Sena-
tor Burton. ''and wished to satisfy myself
regarding its standing in the department.
Although / was then Its counsel, knew
very little about it's workings. / had been
assured that il was all right, but wanted
to satisfy myself"
In reply to a question as to whether at
the time of his preliminary talk with At
torney Harlan regarding his employment
as counsel anything had been said about
complaints, Senator Burton replied:
Harlan said that there was nothing
against the company. and that could go
and inquire for myself.
WAS that the extent of your interview
with Inspector Cochrany' was asked.
Il told Inspector Cochran. replied the
senator. that should anything come to his
notice in the nature of complaint against
the Rialto Company 1 wished he would
call my attention to 1t. as could not af-
ford to he connected with company that
did not obey the laws"
Senator Burton was then asked IL he had
ever indicated TO Inspector Cochran his in
tention to interfere with the processes of
the department or TO intimate to him (Coch-
RAM to refrain from taking any action in
the complaints against the Rialto Com
pany. He replied: Not at ALL
Explains Dennis Visit to Post Office
Senator Burton explained lis visit to the
post Office with Maj Dennis az follows
Maj. Dennis come to Washington to con-
suit me in regard to the indictment that
had been returned against him by the fed
eral grand Jury. We weer driving past the
Post Office Department and | suggested
that we go In and that would introduce
him To the fourth assistant postmaster gen
eral. Mr.. Bristow. Mr.. Brissow was out,
however. and as We we're leaving the build
ing we passed the room of the chief post
ONCE inspector. Cochran. l suggested that
we call. l introduced Mai. Dennis, and he
and Mr.. Cochran talked on several matters.
The events that transpired were substan-
TALLY the same as were mentioned by Mr..
Cochran In bis testimony.
Judge Krum asked: Inspector Cochran
stated In his testimony that you had ex-
pressed desire to him to form a practice
before the departments In Washington. Did
you do sor
II told Mr.. Cochran" replied Senator