The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-12
TYNER-BARRETT TRIAL
IS PROCEEDING SLOWLY
Judge Takes Counsel to Task for
Prolonging Examination of
Witnesses.
AN EXPERTS EVIDENCE

WASHINGTON, May u.-Samuel A.
Stevens Of the Interstate Savings and In
vestment Company Of Cincinnati. resumed
the stand to-day In the trial of James n.
Tyner and Harrison ]. Barrett on charges
of conspiracy in connection with their
duties as law officers of the Postoffice De-
partment.
Counsel for the defense put into the trial
record a large amount of correspondence
between the witness and the Postoffice De-
partment i'm relation TO the contract of the
witnesses company. which was compelled
to get out of business because of de-
cision of the Ohio Supreme Court declaring
the company's plan to be lottery.
Judge Pritchard took attorneys for both
sides to task for the extended character Of
the examination of witnesses. The prose-
cution attempted to bring out testimony to
support contention that the contract con-
demned by the Ohio Supreme Court had
been previously approved by General Tyner
and Mr.. Barrett. The defense would not
admit this contention.
DR.. A. p Taylor. formerly of the Indus
trial Mutual Deposit Company of Lexing-
ton. Ky. and A G. Morgan. formerly of
the Fayette Investment Company OF Lex
ington, KY, both testified to receiving
copies of the Barrett-Nelms partnership
cards. Dr. Parks Facler. of New York. the
expert actuary employed by the Postoffice
Department at the request of Mr.. Barrett
to aid in the examination of bond invest
ment contracts preliminary to the issuance
OF the Barrett opinion. testified that he
had examined the plans of operation of
seven companies and found all of them I'M
sound, but that he had never expressed an
opinion. in regard to the basic principle
of the bond investment business in general.
j. p. Williams. formerly of the New Or
leans Debenture and Investment Company
of Louisville. KY, testified that his COM
pany had received a copy of the Barrett
opinion.
w. b. McArdle. formerly treasurer of
the Mutual Fidelity Company, of Balti-
more, testified to securing an agreement
from the office of the assistant at
torney general for the Postoffice Depart
ment holding up consideration of the affairs
ness which was under contemplate The
witness said this concession was made by
Mr.. Barrett when ii was learned that Mr..
Nelms. who later became the law partner
OF Mr.. Barrett. had requested It,
The next witness placed on the stand was
John e. Tappan.' of the Investors Syndi-
cate. OF Minneapolis, who said that in No
vember, 1901, nearly a year after Mr.. Bar
rett left the department. the mail of his
company had been held up. Mr.. Tappan
said he came TO Washington and saw
written brief concerning the company and
its contentious, and referring him to Mr..
Barrett probably the best posted man
in the United States in regard to bond in
vestment companies The witness said
that General Tyner wrote down the name
and address of Mr.. Barrett and gave him
the card. Mr.. Tappan told of a visit to Mr.
Barrett In Washington and of engaging
| him later to draw contract which would
| be acceptable TO the Postoffice Department
| He said that Mr.. Barrett got a contract
| through the department for the company
and later another contract was approved
| by the department, but at that time ii had
not been necessary to get the aid of Mr.
Barrett.
| II. NJ. Smith, formerly secretary CT the
| House Guaranty and Trust Company, OF
| Detroit, Mich, testified that he received a
copy of the Barrett opinion and one of the
| Barrett partnership announcements. F..
| T.. Little, a postoffice inspector, identified
| a report which he made in regard to the
| affairs of the Mutual Fidelity Company
| of Baltimore
/ the stand